HOW TO GET YOUR GOLD CSCS CARD
If you want to take your career to the next level, here is everything you need to know about achieving your gold cscs card.
CSCS cards are a crucial part of the construction industry in the UK. CSCS cards allow you to demonstrate your competence in your chosen occupational area, allowing you to gain access to more work and develop your career. Gold CSCS cards are one of the highest ranking cards, proving you can work as a supervisor or skilled worker. The gold CSCS card is available to workers who have their Level 3 NVQ in their chosen occupational area or a supervisory NVQ.Ā
If you have a gold CSCS card through industry accreditation, after this year, you will no longer be able to renew this card. Grandfather rights towards the gold CSCS card are ending – this means you will have to get your Level 3 NVQ if you want to keep working with your gold CSCS card.Ā
Gold CSCS cards are valid for five years – so if your renewal is coming up and you donāt have a Level 3 construction NVQ, you need to make sure that youāre starting your assessment soon. If you donāt, you could lose access to the gold CSCS card that you have the experience for.Ā
If you need easy on-site NVQ assessment to help you get your gold CSCS card, DMR Training can help you. One of our amazing assessors will come and meet you on-site to collect the evidence that you are competent in your occupational area, and provide support with the job knowledge questions. This will help you achieve that all-important Level 3 qualification and get your gold CSCS card.Ā
But why should you get a gold CSCS card and will it really help your career? Here is everything you need to know about gold CSCS cards – and how you can get one.
What does a gold CSCS card mean?
A gold CSCS card recognises a construction workerās competency at their chosen occupational area, or as a supervisor on site. Either way, in order to get your gold CSCS card, you will need to get your level 3 NVQ to be able to qualify.Ā
If you want to develop your career, gold CSCS cards can be an essential way to build your construction career and gain more experience. This could help you step your way up to site manager. However, gold CSCS cards are a fantastic way that you can get harder, better paid work and get more jobs. Once you have a gold CSCS card, you could develop your career – and start earning more.Ā
Essentially, a gold CSCS card proves that you are very skilled and have lots of experience at the job that you do – which is essential for your construction career.Ā
What is the difference between blue and gold CSCS cards?
Both blue and gold CSCS cards are essential ways that you can further your career in construction. However, blue CSCS cards are available to workers who have their Level 2 NVQ in their chosen occupational area, and are designed for skilled workers. However, gold CSCS cards are intended for workers who have progressed to their Level 3 NVQ or supervisory NVQ.Ā
You donāt need to complete your Level 2 NVQ before taking the Level 3 qualification – as long as you have the experience and knowledge, you can jump straight into level 3 and get your gold CSCS card. Gold CSCS cards are a step above blue CSCS cards, and help prove your competency and experience.Ā
Gold CSCS cards can be extremely useful if you want to gain more work, earn your money, and improve your career.Ā
Who is eligible for a gold CSCS card?
Workers who have plenty of experience and knowledge surrounding their chosen occupational trade are eligible to get their gold CSCS card. As aforementioned, to be able to get your gold CSCS card, you will need to get your level 3 NVQ. At DMR Training, in order to register for the on-site level 3 assessment you should have between 3-4 years experience. You donāt need to have your level 2 NVQ to be able to get this assessment, but you will need extensive experience in your chosen occupational area.Ā
While you may already have learned the skills and knowledge to be able to do your job, getting the level 3 NVQ is now essential in order to get your gold CSCS card. This is because industry accreditation has now ended. You can get your level 3 qualification in a couple of weeks or months with DMR and our on-site assessment programme, so you donāt have to take time away from work to achieve your qualification.Ā
If youāre a skilled and knowledgeable construction worker, you could be eligible for your level 3 NVQ – allowing you to get your gold CSCS card. Furthermore, depending on your location, you could be eligible for NVQ funding – meaning you could get your NVQ for free or at a low cost. For more information about getting your gold CSCS card with us, make sure to contact us.
Can I get a gold CSCS card without an NVQ?
Not anymore. In the past, experienced construction workers used to be able to qualify for their gold CSCS card through industry accreditation. This meant that previous bosses could testify to your competence and previous work experience, meaning that you could get the gold CSCS card without an NVQ.Ā
However, this ended in 2010 – no gold CSCS cards have been issued without an NVQ since this year. Despite this, CSCS cards issued under industry accreditation could be renewed until this year, 2024, due to grandfather rights. Grandfather rights ended in 2024 – this means that even if you initially got your gold CSCS card through IA, it will no longer be able to be renewed. If you want to keep working with your gold CSCS card, you will have to achieve your level 3 NVQ.
How long does it take to get a gold CSCS card?
Once you have achieved your level 3 NVQ, you can apply for your gold CSCS card online. For more information about applying for a gold CSCS card, you can check out our blog post about applying for a blue CSCS card. This will help you better understand the same process when it comes to getting the gold card. Furthermore, you can also take a look at the CSCS website if you want more information about applying for a gold CSCS card once you have your NVQ. Once you have filled out the application, the gold CSCS card should reach you in 3-5 working days.
However, getting the level 3 NVQ that is now a requirement to apply for your gold CSCS card can take significantly longer. Even with on-site assessment, we recommend that your level 3 NVQ should take a couple of months. If youāre really keen to get your NVQ and get your evidence and job knowledge questions done, the NVQ can be completed in a couple of weeks, meaning that you can get your gold CSCS card a lot sooner.
You should work towards the NVQ at your own pace – DMR are here to support you no matter the pace you want to work towards.
How do I get my gold CSCS card?Ā
If you want to get your gold CSCS card, it starts with getting your level 3 NVQ in your chosen occupation. By choosing DMR, you can get your NVQ through on-site assessment, meaning you wonāt lose any money by taking time away from work. Our exemplary learner support and assessors are always on hand to make sure that all of our learners have the support they need.Ā
As soon as you get your level 3 NVQ certificate, you will be able to apply for your gold CSCS card – opening doors in your career and making you more money. Start your journey towards getting your gold CSCS card with us today!
Once you have your level 3 NVQ, applying for a gold CSCS card from the CSCS website costs Ā£36. However, the process towards getting your gold CSCS card can cost a little more – because you must now have your level 3 NVQ. Getting your level 3 NVQ commercially costs Ā£1095 + VAT – however, we have access to NVQ funding throughout England for a variety of different construction trades. We could help you get the Level 3 qualification and gold CSCS card for a fraction of the price. If you want help getting your gold CSCS card, contact us today.
The easiest way to get your gold CSCS card is by doing on-site assessment with DMR Training. We can help you achieve your qualification through on-site assessment, meaning you donāt have to take time away from work to get your level 3 certificate. One of our assessors will come to you on-site to collect the evidence, and are always on-hand to help you with the job knowledge questions. You can achieve your level 3 NVQ at your own pace – meaning you can get your gold CSCS card easily with us.
No – not anymore. Many construction workers used to be able to get their gold CSCS card through industry accreditation – but this has now ended. Furthermore, anyone with gold CSCS cards issued through industry accreditation will no longer be able to renew their cards now grandfather rights have ended. If you want a gold CSCS card right now, you will need to have a level 3 NVQ in your chosen occupational area. Getting your level 3 qualification is simple with us – contact us today to enrol yourself on our on-site assessment NVQ course.
CSCS cards arenāt compulsory by law – but many sites do require you to have your CSCS card. CSCS cards prove that you are competent in your chosen occupational area – and gold CSCS cards allow you to be able to get more work and make more money. A gold CSCS card proves that you are able to be a skilled worker or supervisor, which is essential if you want to further your construction career. If you want to get your gold CSCS card easily, contact us to find out how you can access on-site level 3 NVQ assessment with us today.
Yes – many construction workers believe that achieving their gold CSCS card is more than worth it. We have multiple learner studies and employer studies from people who get their gold CSCS cards and how much it has benefitted their career progression. Getting your gold CSCS card can unlock so many doors and make you more money – take the steps towards taking your construction career to the next level today and get in touch with us.