As a CSCS card has become part of the UK construction industry, anyone who works in the industry should at some point think about getting the card. Of course, the sooner you get your first CSCS card, the better.
At first glance, choosing the type of card that is best suited for you may seem relatively easy. However, you need to think hard about your decision as the card will have a great influence on your career prospects and what business opportunities you can take advantage of.
Job Titles and CSCS Cards
The first step is to assess what your current job consists of. In theory, this shouldn’t be hard to do – your job title would suffice, right? Well, not quite. Your job title may not necessarily reflect the requirements of the NVQ and therefore the qualification you wish to apply for.
Since construction companies ultimately retain the right to create positions, one may have a job title that includes ‘supervisor’ but whose responsibilities are ‘operational’ level.
The converse can also be a true one, that is, a person with supervisory responsibilities in all but name. So you need to go into a little more detail. How is your typical day? What role do you play on the construction site? Once you’re clear on this, you can start drawing up the CSCS card you qualify for.
Experience cards and CSCS
The second step is to analyze your past experience. Do you have experience in other lines of work within the construction industry in addition to your current position? If you have experience in many other roles on the site, then you have greater options when it comes to the CSCS test and CSCS card that you can apply for.
CSCS tests and future career plans.
And experience leads us to the third step: the future. What line of work on the site appeals to you the most? What kind of construction career do you want to be in long term? If you already have experience in your dream construction career, then moving on to apply for the NVQ and then the card shouldn’t be difficult.
However, if you do not yet have the relevant experience, you can settle for the NVQ and CSCS card you qualify for and explore ways through which you can gain the relevant experience to apply for your preferred NVQ and corresponding CSCS card.