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The Black CSCS card is otherwise referred to in the construction industry as the ‘Manager’s Card’. It is one of the highest-ranking cards on the CSCS programme. This card is reserved for highly-trained individuals who hold senior on-site management positions. This article intends to review the black card in detail, offering information on the card’s associated qualifying criteria, application processes, and costs.
Before progressing into a specific analysis of the black card, it’s perhaps worth providing an overview of the general CSCS framework.
The CSCS, or Construction Skills Certification Scheme, is an important industry-recognised programme. Ownership of a particular CSCS card serves as an identifier of your specific skill-set and experience level within the building and construction sector.
Whether you’re entering the industry as a trainee, or are currently a seasoned construction worker, the scheme allows you to advertise your competencies to colleagues, employers and clients. The CSCS offers a wide array of cards. A variety of card colours serve to indicate the type and nature of the job you’re undertaking.
The importance of the CSCS card
Although it is not a legal necessity to own a CSCS card in order to gain entry onto a construction site, most employers will expect their employees to have registered to the scheme. Furthermore, if hoping to secure a management or leadership position in a construction-related profession, possessing a black CSCS card is pretty much an essential requirement.
The black card validates your credentials as a competent leader and demonstrates that you have strong awareness of the technical elements connected to your trade. Furthermore, it confirms that you’ve successfully passed the relevant high-grade qualifications. Knowledge gained from these training modules will support you in delivering your managerial role.
If you’ve somehow managed to acquire a management position without owning a black card, we would strongly advise you to make every effort to join the scheme as soon as physically possible. Having a manager’s card consolidates your on-site authority and may help you when it comes to applying for future jobs. It also instantly advertises your credentials to clients and stakeholders, allowing people to easily build trust in you and your company’s brand.
In recent times, a greater number of construction firms are aiming for 100% CSCS compliance, ensuring all employees own a valid and accurate card. Therefore, attaining a card may also be important to your employer’s ongoing objectives.
The role of Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations
Crucially, all building and construction companies must be able to evidence their diligence to Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations. Ensuring full employee CSCS attendance is one way to illustrate their commitment to this set of rules. The CDM regulations determine that all workers in building environments must be appropriately trained and competent in the duties they’re asked to carry out.
Furthermore, these tasks need to be routinely completed in compliance with industry-recognised regulations. Black card scheme members support their respective organisations in the delivery of these non-negotiable expectations. As site leaders, they take accountability for training staff and perform regular safety checks and assessments. Often, construction managers will have site supervisors who report directly to them. These individuals will support CDM due diligence, and also coordinate day-to-day on-site activities.
CIOB Membership
As well as strengthening your on-site reputation, being a black card holder also looks great on CIOB membership applications. The CIOB, or Chartered Institute of Building, is a hugely influential organisation. It empowers leaders of the construction industry to drive compliance standards and develop new ways of working. This highly-respected body also serves as an accreditation provider, ensuring that various academic training courses meet certain criteria.
The CIOB reviews all types of educational certification, from University degrees to qualifications issued by private learning providers. Achieving CIOB membership is seen as a cast-iron indicator of technical excellence in your chosen field of study. For those eager to occupy top-ranking leadership roles, earning acceptance into the Chartered Institute of Building should be high on your priority list.
Who can apply for a Black CSCS card?
The black card is exclusively available to those on the cusp of entering highly technical or managerial positions. In terms of qualifications, all candidates must have successfully passed a construction-related management NVQ/SVQ (Scotland) above grade level 3 (highest NVQ Level is 7).
There are plenty of available courses available which serve to address this requirement. If you haven’t already earned a relevant qualification, but are keen on joining the management structure of your site, your first task is to identify which certification best suits your needs. The qualification you select should be specific to your trade or discipline, and be pitched at the right academic level. Several examples of black card-appropriate qualifications are listed below:
- Level 6 NVQ in Construction Contracting Operations Management – Quantity Surveying
- Level 6 in Construction Contracting Operations Management – Estimating
- Level 6 NVQ in Construction Site Management – Demolition
- Level 6 NVQ in Construction Site Management – Residential Development
- Level 7 NVQ in Construction Senior Management
Picking the right pathway
Ensure you research the various qualifications on offer thoroughly before committing to a course. It’s vitally important that you opt for the course that best matches your current or targeted occupation, as this will clearly give you the strongest chance of future career success. Furthermore, by selecting wisely, you’ll mitigate against the risk of wasting valuable time, money, and energy. Indeed, if your qualification isn’t suitable for the managerial position you’re applying for, there’s every chance an employer will look towards an alternate candidate.
The CITB test
As per any CSCS card application, you’ll also need to demonstrate that you’ve passed an appropriate CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test. This must have been sat within the last two years.
The CITB, or Construction Industry Training Board, is an organisation which supports industry stakeholders with learning tools and resources. It also establishes testing criteria in order to accredit workers for various qualifications. Their health and safety awareness tests are critical components of the CSCS card programme. This is because they accurately determine whether an individual is competent enough to safely work in a building or construction environment.
Various classifications
There are three different CITB health and safety assessments. These are the ‘operative’ test, the ‘specialist’ test, and the ‘managers and professionals test’. Unsurprisingly given its title, black card candidates will need to sit the managers and professionals test. This is recognised as the most difficult examination out of the three.
The managers and professionals’ assessment includes the core elements of the ‘operative’ test, which is taken by general on-site workers. The ‘specialist’ test has various, separate modules, with chosen delegates only required to complete the part most relevant to them. For example, site supervisors, who need to sit this test in order to acquire their gold CSCS card, are only tasked with completing the ‘Supervision’ section. The managers and professionals test includes several modules from the ‘specialist’ category of assessments.
Therefore, black card applicants must undertake an all-encompassing version of the CITB exam, which explores all of the vital elements connected to building site safety.
Expired exemption
Previously, candidates who had completed a relevant construction-themed management grade NVQ/SVQ within two years of the date of their black card application received an exemption from taking the CITB managers and professional test. This was because it was deemed that subject matter covered during their course adequately addressed on-site health and safety demands. However, CSCS changed their stance on this ruling in 2019. From 2nd September that year, anyone conducting a management-level NVQ would still be required to sit the CITB health and safety assessment.
How long is a Black CSCS Card valid for?
This card has a validation period of five years from the point of approval. This is because qualifying criteria is subject to change over time, and the CSCS is committed to maintaining pace with new discoveries and technical advancements. Unlike some other schemes, black card holders will be able to apply to renew their membership at the end of the five-year timeframe.
How do I apply for a Black CSCS card?
CSCS facilitate an efficient and supportive online application service which makes applying for CSCS cards extremely easy. To use this service, you’ll need to register for a personal CSCS account, which can be done through the relevant CSCS webpage.
After registering for an account, you’ll be able to view your current application progress, check expiry dates of any cards you currently own, and keep track of any changing qualification criteria for your scheme. This service is also available for employers and makes applying for multiple cards on behalf of workers a simple task.
However, if you’d prefer a slightly more old-fashioned route, you can still apply for your black CSCS card over the phone. To contact a CSCS advisor, call the organisation directly on 0344 994 4777. If lodging a phone application on behalf of a friend or colleague, please note that they’ll need to provide their consent before you can progress. Furthermore, they’ll need to have either their CSCS registration or national insurance number available to hand. Both of these safeguards have been put in place to protect the integrity of the application process.
Replacement cards
The aforementioned methods can also be used to re-apply for a card in the unfortunate scenario it has been lost, stolen, or damaged. This is also the case for renewing cards after their five-year validation period. Please note that the application window for renewals commences six months prior to expiration date, and closes six months after this point. If you fail to start your application within this timeframe, or do not provide the necessary evidence to support your submission, you risk losing your black card membership. Therefore, ensure you regularly check when your card is due to expire, and aim to apply within a comfortable range of this date.
How much does a Black CSCS card cost?
The standard fee for all CSCS cards is £36.00. The CITB health, safety, and environment test is £21.00 when booking the assessment directly through the Construction Industry Training Board. If you’re taking this exam whilst undertaking a separate course through a learning provider, they may offer to book the test on your behalf. Often, private companies will add an additional charge to do this, but may also provide some extra support or benefits as part of the deal. Therefore, it’s worth weighing up whether you think it’s more or less advantageous to book this test independently.
If you haven’t already taken the appropriate NVQ courses, you’ll also need to factor in this significant extra cost. Unfortunately, qualifications don’t come cheap and require a considerable financial commitment. However, please remember that you’re ultimately investing in your future.
If you’re considering applying for a black card, it’s likely that you’ll have already navigated your way through a series of lower-level NVQ courses. Therefore, you should have a decent grasp of the expenditure involved in conducting construction-related training. If you haven’t completed this style of learning module, we would strongly advise you to undertake some comprehensive research into this. Navigating through an NVQ can be extremely expensive!
Summary
Owning a black card is a great way to enhance your reputation as a well-rounded leader, who is highly skilled in their chosen area of expertise. If you’re pursuing a position in on-site construction management, or currently in a leadership role, we would highly recommend applying for the black card scheme. This will not only confirm your competency level to your current or prospective employer, but will also generate client trust in your capabilities.
Furthermore, holding a black CSCS card is essential to those aiming to earn CIOB membership. Being part of the Chartered Institute of Building will hugely elevate your status as a leader within the construction industry, and give you the opportunity to add real value to the sector. It will also provide you with a strong platform to apply for extremely senior leadership positions.
Be clear on what you need to do
Remember, you’ll need to undertake the appropriately graded NVQ/SVQ courses required to successfully apply for the scheme. If you’re reading this article in the hope of imminently applying for a black card, you’ve hopefully already landed one of these qualifications! If not, please ensure you select a course specific to your discipline, as this will clearly set you in the best stead for future management employment opportunities in your chosen field.
You’ll also need to pass the CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety, and Environment Test. As this exam draws on various pieces of information present in the ‘operative’ and ‘specialist’ classifications, make sure you feel comfortable with the questions posed in these versions of the assessment. However, don’t panic! You’ll have covered all of these health & safety topics as part of your level 4+ NVQ framework, so you should be well-placed to pass this test.
Please familiarise yourself with the black card application process, as understanding this information will help you to acquire your card efficiently. Regardless of whether your card becomes lost, stolen, or damaged, or is alternatively up for renewal, please follow the same methodology deployed in the initial application. Given the importance and status of the scheme, all CSCS cards are priced relatively inexpensively. However, as mentioned, please ensure that you’re in a sound financial position to carry out any required outstanding qualifications before commencing your application.
And finally…
Moving into a managerial construction position can be a hugely rewarding and lucrative choice, and we really hope that successfully acquiring a black card is the first step on your journey towards achieving your career ambitions.
If you require any further information on the black card scheme, we would encourage you to liaise with a course tutor or industry professional. Alternatively, the CSCS website is packed with guidance on all parts of the programme. Their homepage is available via the following link.
