Industry Accreditation cards to expire in 2024

Industry Accreditation cards to expire in 2024

Up to 60,000 industry skills cards issued under the Industry Accreditation (also known as Grandfather Rights) process will expire on 31st December 2024 and cannot be renewed.

The Construction Leadership Council has issued a statement encouraging all Industry Accreditation card holders to take action to retain their card. What each individual needs to do next depends on their occupation and what qualifications they may already hold.

The different ways in which those individuals who hold a blue, gold or black industry accreditation card (issued by CSCS, via industry accreditation) can move to an appropriate card has been set out. This may be by:

Recognising a qualification they already have.
Assessing their competence against the relevant qualification for their occupation.
Undertaking any additional training required.
For a minority, it may require more extensive training.

An industry task group has published new guidance on the CSCS website that clearly sets out the next steps CSCS IA card holders must take before the deadline.

Sean Kearns, Chief Executive at CSCS said in Construction Enquirer: “IA cardholders will not need to attend college as much of the assessment can be deliver remotely.

“Many IA cardholders will find it a straightforward process to replace their cards, such as moving across to the Academically or Professionally Qualified Persons cards. In addition, those who no longer attend site or are in non-construction related occupations will not require a card.”

A CLC statement said: “Building Safety and competence are two of the CLC’s priorities. As an industry, and in accordance with various sets of legislation including the Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) and the Building Safety Act, we must demonstrate to the regulator, our clients, building occupiers and the wider public that those designing, building, and maintaining the built environment are competent to do so.

“The CLC recommendation introduced in 2015 and updated in 2017 & 2020 set an expectation of all CSCS cards being achieved via qualification by the end of 2024.”

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