Posted By mbarrett Hi I dont know if anyone can give me a bit of guidance I am currently attempting to get all my site staff and supervisors CSCS cards, including myself as Health and safety manager after phoning the rather unhelpful help desk and asking what qualifications are required I was advised that NEBOSH Diploma is not a recognised qualification and I would have to register on an NVQ scheme Is this correct?

Posted By Ian Mitchell Hi, The CSCS etc schemes are very inflexible when it comes to accepting competence 'outside the box'. You can be CMIOSH etc but will have to sit the touch screen test and complete an NVQ etc. Similarly, you can be experienced/qualified to the hilt in your construction trade outside of the UK but no tick on the approved qualifications box means no card! A tailored IOSH managing safely cert is arguably of more practical benefit to a site manager wanting to gain safety awareness over the SMSTS syllabus, but I have found the peer pressure from the industry means if the course doesn't result in card (regardless of usefulness) I have my work cut out convincing people to do it. Good luck, you will need plenty of time and a good budget (especially for the 4-5 NVQ levels - if you can even find an assessor!) Cheers Ian M

Posted By Dave Wilson Do the basic site operatives card for all as you wont be asked for it anyway!

Posted By Robert K Lewis The whole problem of CSCS has been ground to an exceeding fine pulp on this and other forums. Until the CSCS board take a flexible approach their reputation will continue to slide. The problem has its root in the CSCS being there to certify trade skills - hence the NVQ requirement. The H&S was seen as a profitable addition and was passed through on a wave of "we have to do something about H&S in construction". I have seen no research evidence to support this assertion. The only hope for the survival of CSCS in any form is, I believe, for it to adapt to the realities of the industry in order to see many more birthdays. It is senseless that CF/MIOSH active in construction are treated as they are, and these are the people training others for the construction cert!!!! Bob

Posted By The toecap I have a BSc Hons in Construction Management and they dont count this. The whole scheme is voluntary along with CPCS and its all a load of nonsense. The CSCS card means you dont have to do anything training wise for 3 years. We train our staff every 2 months, but this doesn't count.