SKILLcard support enforcement of health & safety requirements

IIn the next of a series of moves to enhance the robustness of cardholder qualifications, CSCS and SKILLcard are requiring all applicants to have satisfactorily completed the CITB health, safety and environment test or approved equivalent. This will now be the only way to show satisfactory evidence of health and safety compliance other than the exception gained by completing the H&S requirements of an apprenticeship which will also be recognised.

SKILLcard’s Head of Certification, Duncan Sibbald said: “By introducing this change to our acceptance criteria for applicants gaining a SKILLcard, we are demonstrating our continued support for meeting the CLC’s Industrial Strategy vision.”

The change will take place on 2nd September 2019, from which time all applicants will be required to pass the CITB health, safety and environment test or equivalent if they do not have the exemption from completing the H&S element of a recognised apprenticeship.

As a CSCS partner card scheme for the mechanical sector of the building engineering services industry, SKILLcard must meet the requirements of the Industrial Strategy for Construction. Overseen by The Construction Leadership Council it requires that SKILLcards are only issued to applicants who hold nationally recognised construction qualifications and have passed a separate health and safety element, it is this separate health and safety element that SKILLcard are now enforcing.

Any SKILLcard applicants requiring more information can contact the SKILLcard team on skillcard.info@theBESA.com or 01768 860406.