Construction Skills Certification Scheme accepts PCN certification
05/10/2017
The British Institute of NDT (BINDT) is concerned with the education and training of its members, as well as the advancement of the science and practice of the methods and subjects associated with NDT and CM. It is also a commitment of BINDT to ensure that, in providing such a diverse spread of knowledge to its members in consideration of their roles and responsibilities, it also equips them with the skills and knowledge to allow them to carry out their tasks in a safe and efficient manner while complying with all associated current health & safety regulations.One of the Institute's roles is the administration of the Personnel Certification in Non-Destructive Testing Scheme (PCN) for the provision of third-party certification in accordance with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9712:2012. The scheme is setting industry standards in the UK and displays a leading role both within Europe and worldwide.
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has agreed to recognise PCN certification in consideration of requirements that will allow individuals to apply for the new CSCS card.
Certificated PCN operatives working on construction sites have traditionally been required to hold a relevant Construction Related Occupation (CRO) card. The CRO card was required to be held by persons possessing the skills, trades and occupations for which there were once no recognised qualifications; its introduction in 2005 has seen over 300,000 cards issued in all construction-related operations.
CSCS found it necessary to examine the issuing of such cards, ensuring that they met the current needs of industry in terms of the industry sectors covered and the relevant health & safety requirements associated with those industry sectors. CSCS found that the CRO cards were frequently being used by site workers to gain entry to construction sites where individuals holding the cards did not necessarily meet the current standards required in all aspects of health & safety pertinent to them, those around them and industry. The study carried out by CSCS deemed that the CRO card was no longer 'fit for purpose' and that CSCS, in consultation with industry, should therefore determine the most effective and efficient way to address this issue. With this in mind, from 1 October 2015 new additional requirements and measures were to be introduced that would address this lack of skills certification.
CSCS found it necessary to communicate the following information to all current and any aspirant CRO card holders:
- CSCS would stop issuing CRO cards as of 31 March 2017
- All CRO cards issued since 1 October 2015 would expire on 30 September 2017
- Existing CRO card holders must take further steps to ensure that they replace any current valid CRO card, prior to its expiration, with the new CSCS card.
What does this mean for me?
CSCS and BINDT have agreed a route to the new CSCS card for holders of personnel certification in non-destructive testing at Levels 2 and 3, which have been approved as an equivalent to the relevant National Occupational Standard (NOS) for non-destructive testing and therefore will be recognised by CSCS. This means that from 1 September 2017 PCN certification is accepted as a route to either a blue skilled workers card (PCN Level 2) or a gold CSCS card (PCN Level 3). PCN-certificated operatives applying for the new CSCS card must have also passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test for Operatives within the two years prior to any application.
BINDT is pleased to have worked alongside the CSCS to provide non-destructive testing operatives with this alternative route to a CSCS card. For more information on this and other occupations, individuals should visit the CSCS website at the address below.
Simply enter your occupation into the Card Finder tool (for all those holding current PCN certification this will be 'non-destructive test technician'). You will then be provided with a choice of two options depending upon your current level of certification and your role requirements: the blue skilled workers card for Level 2 or a gold CSCS card for Level 3 certificate holders. When you have confirmed the card applicable to you, you should carry out the additional steps on the screen for successful application.
The withdrawal of the CRO card is seen as a practical step towards achieving the Construction Leadership Council’s requirements of ensuring that nationally-recognised qualifications are in place for all construction-related occupations. All CSCS card applicants need to prove they have the training and qualifications required to carry out their job and apply for the correct card for their occupation.
Current associated costs for the CSCS card are as follows:
- A CSCS card costs £30
- A separate CITB health, safety and environment test costs £19.50
- There are organisations that offer card application services. If you are being charged more than £30 for a card or £19.50 for a CITB health, safety and environment test, check that you understand what additional services you will receive.
CSCS can also offer services to employers needing to apply for multiple CSCS cards; see the employer applications pages on the CSCS website for further details of this service.
Full guidance and information can be found on the CSCS website including what is required in order to apply for a CSCS card.
www.cscs.uk.com
