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Are you ready for the withdrawal of the CRO card?
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is reminding the industry to get ready for the withdrawal of the Construction Related Occupation (CRO) card.
CSCS will stop issuing CRO cards from 31st March 2017 and all CRO cards issued since October 2015 will expire on 30th September 2017*.
In 2015 the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) announced that skills certification card schemes carrying the CSCS logo must operate with nationally recognised qualifications (NVQs or approved equivalents) in place for all occupations.
The CRO card was intended for those occupations for which there are no nationally recognised qualifications and as such does not meet the requirements of the CLC.
The removal of the CRO card affects over 230,000 CRO card holders and the issue of an alternative card will depend on the occupation and qualifications held by the applicant.
In many cases CRO card holders will be required to register for existing or newly developed qualifications before their CRO cards expire. In others, CRO card holders will be asked to move to one of CSCS’s Partner Card Schemes that are more appropriate for their occupations. For some, where their occupation is not construction related or no suitable qualification exists, a CSCS card will no longer be issued.
CSCS is encouraging industry to visit www.cscs.uk.com/cro to find out what steps need to be taken to replace CRO cards.
CRO card holders who do not take the necessary steps to replace their cards will find they will be unable to obtain another CSCS card.
If you already have an approved qualification
CRO card holders with approved qualifications will be able to apply for a skilled worker card without having to complete any further qualifications.
If your occupation is moved to another card scheme
Industry has confirmed over 60 occupations are non-construction related and should be removed from the scheme. CSCS will not be issuing cards for these occupations. This means workers will be arriving on site without a card.
If your occupation is removed from the scheme
Industry has confirmed over 60 occupations are non-construction related and should be removed from the scheme. CSCS will not be issuing cards for these occupations. This means workers will be arriving on site without a card.
Your qualification requires enhancement
Industry has confirmed a number of CRO occupations have existing qualifications that do not meet the nationally recognised standards for those skilled occupations. Industry is working together to bring these qualifications up to the agreed nationally recognised standards.
CSCS needs more information about your occupation
Industry has identified 25 CRO occupations that require further investigation before deciding what to do next. We are asking for individuals or sector representatives involved in these occupations to get in touch with the CSCS team.
Your occupation is moved to labourer
Industry has agreed a number of CRO occupations are labouring and should be moved to the green Labourer Card. CRO card holders working in these occupations must complete an approved qualification and apply for the green Labourer Card.
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