Gaining a CSCS card is essential for anyone who works in construction. They show to employers that you are qualified to do your job and with health and safety becoming a priority on site they are a requirement by more and more employers looking to hire new workers. There are various different types of CSCS cards available for welders and they are:
The Red welder CSCS card
The Red welder CSCS card is the entry level card for welders who are just starting or want to start their career in construction. You must be a trainee who is registered for an NVQ or SVQ or relevant construction award for qualifying this card. Once a trainee has completed the course the card will become invalid and the card which is appropriate for the qualification can be applied for.
The blue welder CSCS card
To apply for Blue cscs card you must have a level 2 NVQ or above. You can also apply for this card if you have completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship which included a City and Guilds of London Institute Craft Certificate.
The gold welder CSCS card
This card is available if you have either a level 3 NVQ or above, completed an approved indentured apprenticeship or completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship which included a City and Guilds of London Institute Advanced Craft Certificate.
The black CSCS card
To apply for this card you must have a level 4 or 5 NVQ or above. If you have had a platinum card in the past you may also be able to apply for the black CSCS card. There is also the profiling route available to applicants who do not have an NVQ; this route is for managers who have 5+ years’ experience in a managerial role but do not have the relevant qualifications.
The Welding Institute (TWI)
If you are not having a relevant NVQ to achieve one of the CSCS cards listed above but you do have a competence assessed grade from the TWI which is accepted by the CSCS scheme you may be able to get a Professionally Qualified Person (PQP, white and yellow) CSCS card or a Graduate (red) CSCS card. The list of TWI grades accepted are:
- FWeldI – PQP card FWeldI
- SenWeldI- PQP card
- MWeldI- PQP card
- IncMWeldI- PQP card
- GradWeldI- Graduate card
Health and safety test and card validity
To get a welder CSCS card you will also have to sit the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. There are different types of test depending on which card you are applying for. All of the above CSCS cards are valid for between two and five years depending on the card type.