The UK construction industry is committed to achieving a fully qualified workforce and the latest step towards that goal centres around the withdrawal of CSCS cards issued under Industry Accreditation (IA), also known as Grandfather Rights. IA allowed workers to obtain CSCS cards on the strength of employer recommendations rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. CSCS closed IA to new applicants in 2010 but those already holding a card have until the end of 2024 to put plans in place to achieve a recognised qualification. The removal of IA is one of the most complex steps to be taken in helping to create the fully qualified workforce and there is unlikely to be one single solution to the challenges raised by its removal.
It is more likely that each occupation and sector will need to agree their own solutions, and these may take time to develop.
The next step in finding a solution is to ask employers for their views.
The survey aims to determine the number of individuals with cards gained via IA, the occupations they cover and to inform the industry’s plans on how to transition these individuals to recognised qualifications and new CSCS cards where necessary.
Complete the survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/S53RVL2
More information is available on the CSCS website.
