What does a Blue CSCS Card signify for? Which position in the construction industry needs this type of card? This article will briefly introduce to you information of this card type and show you how to successfully get one?

1. What is a Blue CSCS Card – CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card?

Among a variety of workers’ qualifications and responsibilities showing in different colors of a CSCS card, a blue CSCS card, also known as a CSCS Skilled Worker Card, signifies the experience, training, and responsibilities compared to other roles on the construction site. 

cscs blue skilled worker card

The blue CSCS card holders will be experienced workers with most of the duties except for overseeing the work of others (this role better suits ones owning a CSCS gold supervisory card or CSCS black manager’s card). Having a CSCS blue card at your disposal can be proof of your employment prerequisites in case you don’t have any regulatory duty or a boss on the construction site. As a result, despite not being a legal requirement, most construction employers ask their workers to hold a valid CSCS card for their position.

2. What trades can you get a Blue CSCS Card for?

There are specific roles on the construction site that requires you a blue CSCS card namely:

  • Bricklaying
  • Roofing
  • Steel Erecting
  • Steel Fixing
  • Carpentry & Joinery

3. Who is eligible for the Blue CSCS Card?

In order to be eligible to apply for this card type, candidates should at least reach the age of 16 and have equivalent qualifications for the position in the construction site. 

To be specific, the requirements for a CSCS blue card will be:

  • Passing a CITB Health, Safety, and Environment test, or CSCS test for Operatives
  • Having a trade-specific Level 2 NVQ in the construction industry (SVQ in Scotland)
    or
    Completing a Level 2 employer-sponsored Apprenticeship (by a City and Guilds of London Institute Craft Certificate, or a CSCS Approved Trailblazer)

>> Read more: CSCS Green Card

4. What is the cost of a Blue CSCS Card?

With regards to adequate qualifications including NVQ or SVQ, there is no fixed price in the industry but it depends on the NVQ or SVQ you register or the company you take part in.

However, the prioritized criteria for a CSCS blue card application – a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test, or CSCS test, costs £21, and the card application costs another £36. 

5. How to successfully get a Blue CSCS Card?

These three following steps can become a guideline for your CSCS card application:

5.1. Get ready for equivalent qualifications

You should first take notice of what types of qualifications are needed for blue CSCS card application: 

  • A trade-specific Level 2 NVQ in the construction industry

or

  • A Level 2 employer-sponsored Apprenticeship 

5.2. Sit a CSCS Test

CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test for Operatives is a must for those wishing to have any CSCS card. A CSCS test consists of 50 multiple choice questions related to Health, Safety, and Environment within the time limit of 45 minutes, which qualifies your skills and training on site. 

In order to pass the CSCS test with flying colors, you had better practice regularly with CSCS test online, and our website can give you the best experience with your learning progress.

5.3. Apply for Blue CSCS Card 

When your qualifications as well as CITB Health, Safety, and Environment Test are available, you can apply for a CSCS blue card and pay by credit or debit card to receive it later. You should dial 0344 994 4777 to take this step. 

6. How to renew your Blue CSCS Card?

The CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card has a time limit of 5 years but you can renew it once it nearly comes to the expiry date.

Before renewing your blue CSCS card, you should refresh your adequate qualifications in order to make sure that they are available for the current time. The cost and process for the blue CSCS card renewal will be the same as that for a new one, so you should also take it into consideration. Remember to keep the CSCS registration number or national insurance for your card renewal process

>> Read more: CSCS card renewal: When and how to renew your CSCS card

7. What are the benefits of a Blue CSCS Card?

7.1. Higher income

Owning a blue CSCS card means that you have greater responsibilities on the spot to ascertain the quality of customers. This is one of the criteria that can boost your salary as a more qualified worker. 

benefits of a blue cscs card

 

7.2. Future career

A CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card can give you opportunities to show off your knowledge and skills towards employers, which may assist you to become a manager or supervisor on-site. 

Besides, if you want to outstretch your construction career as an expert, a CSCS Advanced Craft Gold card will be the route for you. This position will be much easier with your CSCS Blue card as a skilled worker. 

7.3. Safety

When you are working on a construction site, the safety of yourself and others must be the top requirement. The knowledge and skills you obtained in the process of applying for a blue CSCS card can be proof of on-site safety.