This card is for basic site or non-specific skills. An example of who would obtain this card at SLBC Ltd would be all of our labourers. This card, although non-specific in terms of site skills, is still an extremely important card to obtain, showing the site management that you have the basic knowledge and skill to work safely and efficiently on site.

To obtain a Green CSCS card you must firstly demonstrate to an employer proof of competence to carry out the job. After this you must take and pass the Health, Safety and Environment test for Operatives. This test costs £22.50 and requires a pass rate of 90%, therefore you need to answer 45 questions of 50 correctly to pass. Once you have passed this test, you can then apply for your green CSCS card which costs around £36.00 and is then valid for five years.

This card is for skilled workers who can prove they have sufficient training and qualifications to carry out the job. Sufficient qualifications/training to apply for this card include: a Level 2 NVQ or SVQ, or after the completion of an employer-sponsored apprenticeship. Many of our bricklayers carry this card after completing an apprenticeship with us here at SLBC Ltd; it will depend on your employer and your level of experience which route to take in relation to any apprenticeship. Read more about bricklaying apprenticeships here.

Regardless, before obtaining a Blue Skilled Worker’s CSCS Card, you will need to obtain the relevant and sufficient qualifications. Again, this card is valid for five years and should be renewed before it expires.

This card is for highly skilled trades people, but for those who have completed a 4-year apprenticeship, after being at college for four years. Additionally, people who have obtained this card must have achieved at least an SVQ or NVQ Level 3 Award with Advanced Craft Certification in a construction-related environment. Once you have obtained a Gold Skilled Worker CSCS Card, it is valid for 5 years.

If you do not meet the above qualification requirements, you would look to obtain a Blue Skilled Worker CSCS Card. The Gold card costs £36.00, and again you will need to sit the Health, Safety and Environment Test for Operatives when applying for or renewing the card.

The Gold CSCS Supervisor Card is slightly different to the Gold Skilled Worker Card, in that the fixed qualification requirements to obtain this card are an NVQ/SVQ Level 3 for Occupational Work Supervision or a construction-related subject at a supervisory or technical level, or an NVQ/SVQ Level 4 for a construction-related subject at a supervisory or technical level.

In short, to obtain this card you must secure a pass in the CITB HS&E Test, alongside the completion of a supervisory SVQ or NVQ.

The Red Trainee CSCS Card represents both Trainees for Craft and Operative purposes. To qualify for this card, you must be operating as a trainee and have been previously registered for a NVQ, SVQ or relevant construction qualification, however, you would only use this card until you achieved a Level 2 or Level 3 NVQ or SVQ.

Thus, the Red Trainee CSCS card is only valid until you have completed one of these qualifications, then you would apply for the corresponding card for your occupation, level of skill and experience.