SKILLcard backs new health and safety route for professionals

Building services engineers will be able to use a new online training route to achieve the standards of health and safety (H&S) knowledge required to qualify for their Engineering Services SKILLcard. 

An e-learning course developed by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) has been recognised as an alternative to the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test for managers and professionals seeking to qualify for the SKILLcards they need to gain access to construction sites. 

Engineering Services SKILLcard, which is managed by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), offers Academically Qualified Person (AQP) and Professionally Qualified Person (PQP) cards to professionals who are not site-based but do need site access for elements of their project responsibilities. 

The CIC Health and Safety Certification course is now deemed to satisfy the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) requirement that all applicants must pass an H&S element when applying for professional SKILLcards under its CSCS partner system. 

The course comprises six e-learning modules covering legal requirements, personal health and welfare, safety onsite, risk management issues, design risk management, and environmental protection. It involves eight hours of study and candidates must pass a one-hour test with 80% correct answers to reach the required standard for their three-year certification. 

It is administered by the CIC’s training partner, Accredex through an online Learning Management System. 

Modern 
“We are very pleased to endorse this new route to SKILLcard qualification for professional grade engineers,” said Rachel Davidson, director of certification at BESA. “It is a modern, comprehensive course that meets all the professional standards and I commend the CIC Health and Safety Committee for their hard work in developing it on behalf of those professionals who need to access sites as part of their client responsibilities.” 

Engineering Services SKILLcard celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and now provides more than 57,000 heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration engineers with the evidence of competence they need to be given access to sites. 

The scheme plays a crucial role in the government’s 2025 Construction Industry Strategy by helping clients check whether workers have the right qualifications for the job in hand as well as suitable health and safety training. 

SKILLcard also covers those with supervisory and managerial responsibilities in the building engineering services industry and is also widely used by self-employed and agency workers and those seeking employment in the sector. Since its launch in 2001, the application and renewal process has been regularly updated and improved so that it is now fully digital. 

CIC chief executive Graham Watts OBE said he was “delighted that SKILLcard is now accepting our course”. 

“We look forward to working together to improve the competence of our workforce so that professionals can carry out their responsibilities on site safely.”