We are looking to send more trade operatives through the CSCS card route but there are issues with some that may have not achieved the necessary NVQ level (many have been trades for years without necessary qualification etc) The ones that have come through an apprenticeship and NVQ route have sailed through but we are unsure whether this is the best route to go down if we have some unqualified staff. As there is no legal requirement to have a card before you carry out construction work (but as many of you know when tendering for work this is often a requirement on some sites!) Are there any other courses that anyone could recommend such as CITB/SMSTS courses or even designing one ourselves which could be accredited. Can anyone advise please?

I have worked in the construction industry for some years as a HSQE Manager and I went through the same issues where our clients would only except trade specific cards for our workers. Many of these workers where fully time served City & Guilds (G&G) Ect but CSCS did not recognise C&G. We found a local training company to get them through a NVQ level 2 which entitled them to trade specific cards usually blue and you may find you can get this training funded. This process did not take them away from the workplace for that long as on the job visits is a big part of the NVQ.

Thanks everyone Owen 24 - All trades to be honest! Plumbers, carpenters, plasterers, gas fitters etc