Starting out your journey in the construction industry, you will find yourself juggling many things at once — learning, working, training, and becoming certified.
As a newbie on a construction site, you will realize how essential it is to work on necessary construction certifications since they are your key to becoming more employable in the eyes of employers. Among the certifications to aim for are the CSCS card and the CPCS card.
Now, you are probably asking, “do you need a CSCS card if you have a CPCS card?” Let me help you find the answer to that as we explore their significance in the field more.
Do you need a CSCS card if you have a CPCS card?
If your goal is to operate construction plant machinery and equipment, particularly as a plant operator, you need a CPCS card and you will not need a CSCS card.
However, if you want to work in the construction industry in a different capacity, apart from being a plant operator, you usually need a CSCS card instead of a CPCS card. The specific path you choose in construction will determine whether you need a CSCS or CPCS qualification.
What are CSCS Cards?
The CSCS card (or the Construction Skills Certification Scheme) is the leading construction certification scheme in the UK construction industry! Since its introduction in 1995, the CSCS card has come a long way in history.
From simply offering a way for contractors and tradespeople to prove they are qualified and trained to work, the CSCS expanded and now has several cards to indicate specific occupations, qualifications, and training.
There are 13 cards as at the time of writing this article.
The cards range from entry-level employees (like apprentices and trainees) to higher-level positions such as supervisors and managers.
The government does not impose the usage of the card, but most construction sites, both large and small, require their employees to have one to enter their area. That alone highlights the card’s importance in the industry.
The card proves that you are qualified and trained to do your job. For example, applying for the Green Labourer card requires the completion of the CITB Health, Safety, and Environment Tests as well as the Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment qualification, which shows that you are aware of the basic safety standards in a construction site.
By ensuring that every worker on site has a CSCS card, the employer can guarantee a safer working environment.
The main importance of a CSCS card is showing your competence to understand and enforce health and safety regulations. It is paramount when working within an active construction site. This is because construction sites have many heavy types of machinery, heights, and other risk factors that can cause accidents.
It is necessary to have workers who know how to work and operate on a construction site safely. That is what the CSCS card promises.
What is the CPCS Card?
Alternatively, the CPCS card (or the Construction Plant Competence Scheme) is mainly focused on a specific area of a construction site — plant operators.
Owning a CPCS card means you have the skills and knowledge to work with plant machinery on a construction site.
This scheme exists to prove workers and employees are competent in a variety of plant disciplines on a site. It is also valid for other allied industries.
The CPCS card has been around since 2003 and has become widely recognised and respected by all major contractors in the UK. Due to that, the CPCS card now serves as the benchmark of standards for plant operators in the industry.
Be careful not to confuse it with CSCS cards, though. They are entirely different and separate certification schemes that serve different purposes.
NVQ support and training provider Think Construction Skills said, “Due to the complexity and importance of plant operations across the UK, the CPCS card is treated separately from the CSCS card. The CPCS card is more in-depth as it focuses on and specialises in plant machinery.”
So, while a CSCS card has 13 different types, a CPCS card only has three — Red, Blue, and Black. The Red CPCS card is the most basic, which has the label ‘Trained Operator’.
The Blue CPCS card is the competent operator card. Owning it indicates that you have more in-depth experience and knowledge about plant machinery.
Lastly, the Black (CPCS Tester) card confirms that you can assess the competency of workers outside and inside the organisation in meeting the requirements of the CPCS.
Relationship between CSCS and CPCS Cards
The CSCS and CPCS cards are important certification schemes for working in a UK construction site.
Both these cards serve a primary purpose — to improve the overall safety standards and increase the number of competent workers in the construction industry.
A CSCS and CPCS card can prove that you have the appropriate training, experience, and qualifications to work on-site. Also, these cards bring many business benefits that can help cut costs and on-site efficiency for clients and contractors.
Although both are essential tools in the industry, you must know that they play different roles.
According to construction career advisors from GoConstruct, “Your CSCS card is a representation of your valid qualifications and experience, showing that your work-related skills have been certified to the industry standard.”
Meanwhile, the CPCS card is a scheme affiliated with the CSCS card. It is mostly focused on a specific aspect and area in construction — plant and machinery operation.
Being different cards, you should know that they have different uses and needs.
Does this mean having a CPCS card eliminates the need for a CSCS card?
Not necessarily. There are instances that a CPCS card alone can do, but more often than not, a CSCS card might still be needed, especially if you’re working on a construction site.
Factors to Consider When Deciding Between CSCS and CPCS Cards
Now that I have established that these cards are different, it opens up the table for a new point of discussion. How can you tell which card is more suited for you?
These are the factors you might need to consider when deciding between a CSCS card and a CPCS card:
Project and site requirements
More often than not, project and site requirements can affect and influence the need for certifications. Depending on the contractor, employer, and project head, they may require specific certificates for their projects and sites to ensure optimal safety and quality of work.
For instance, you will undoubtedly need a CSCS card to work on a primary construction site or company. Most of these sites have a ‘No CSCS card, no work‘ policy. In this case, every construction worker must have a CSCS card.
Job roles and responsibilities
Depending on your job role and occupation in the construction industry, you might need a CSCS card or a CPCS card — sometimes, both.
A CPCS card has a specific scope than a CSCS card, mainly focused on one area, plant operations and machinery. If your work responsibilities or job roles fall under plant machinery, then a CPCS card is necessary. This card may not cover the requirements for all job roles on a site!
A CSCS card covers more diverse occupations in a construction site, from labourer and construction site operative to senior manager and supervisor. CSCS cards cover most of them!
Another question I want to quicky address is: is it beneficial to hold both a CSCS card and a CPCS card?
Yes. Both are beneficial, especially if your job role and occupation demand a CPCS card. A CSCS card is helpful since most major UK construction sites and employers require this card.
Recruitment specialist CrewIt Resourcing added, “Obtaining your [CPCS card] can be done in addition to, but not in replacement of, the CSCS or Construction Skills Certification Scheme.”
Final Thoughts
Do you need a CSCS card if you have a CPCS card? The answer depends on the job role and site requirements.
There are instances when a CSCS card is needed even if you already have a CPCS card. These cards are only affiliated and are entirely separate certification schemes, so they cannot be used interchangeably at all times.
Before you decide on a certification scheme to go for, be sure to check the requirements of the site and job. Knowing these can help you make a more informed decision on getting the appropriate certification.
If you plan to work on getting your CSCS card, booking a training course should help make it easier for you.
We at TrainInHealthAndSafety.com offer various high-quality courses, including a Level 1 Award in Health and Safety within the Construction Environment. Check our price ranges to see which would suit your budget and needs!
And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop them in the comments!
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