From 31 January 2015, the CSCS Provisional card will no longer be available to individuals who hold the old Construction Site Operative (CSO) card.

The Provisional card is for individuals on probation or undertaking supervised work experience, is only valid for 6 months and is non-renewable. Before the card expires, the cardholder is expected to be registered for, or have achieved, a qualification relevant to their occupation.

Over 10,500 Provisional cards have been issued since the new card was introduced in July 2014 and it is believed that a large number of CSO cardholders applied for the Provisional card when their CSO card expired following the introduction of the Labourer card in place of the CSO card. The Labourer card is only for those working in a labouring capacity and those working in other areas should ensure they obtain the correct card for their occupation.

Any labourers who are holding either the old CSO card or the Provisional card must achieve the QCF/SQCF Level 1 Award Health and Safety in a Construction Environment or the one day Site Safety plus Health and Safety Awareness Course before their card expires and then apply for the Labourer’s card.

Anyone holding a Provisional card who is moving on to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship must register for the relevant S/NVQ for their trade and obtain the relevant red CSCS card, namely Apprentice, Trainee or Experienced Worker.

NSCC chief executive Suzannah Nichol said: “NSCC and its member organisations will continue to work with CSCS and provide guidance to ensure that Specialist Contractors have the right card for their occupation.”