The Importance of having a CSCS card.

Many did not think that the CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) would take off and become a mainstream requirement. Many who did think it was here to stay but a bad idea, instantly said I am not going to comply untill the last minute or even not at all. If you are one of those then that could be a huge mistake in your tradesmans career and could effect your life and your wife and kids.

Though the construction industry trades had been warned a good few years ago, many tradesmen are now losing out on work simply due to not keeping up with the times and not seeing the dangers of not jumping on the CSCS scheme earlier. Unfortunately everyone has to swallow at work and feel like a number somewhere along the line.

A CSCS card should be like a Platinum Card in your wallet ..

... Not having it will stop you getting through the front door of many new contracts, regardless of how many years you have been in the trade and how skilled you are or even think you are.

Many of us can drive or know how to drive before we take a driving test, but driving our way won't get us through the test, we have to drive the way the examiner likes otherwise we fail. (examiners also have to follow procedure and are only doing a job though some will always relish the work more than others) Without a driving license where would you be ?.

Imagine the CSCS card as your 2nd driving license. It's extremely important to todays construction and refurb worker and not negotiable if you want to work. It's hard on the pride, but can you really afford not to go with it ?

If you have not yet got your CSCS card, you can find out how to get it , HERE

Thoughts on Tradesmans Insurance

Job adverts now state:
'Must be a CSCS card holder'.

No matter how daft or how rediculous you may think the CSCS card scheme is, NOT having it WILL eventually hinder your chances of work, if not already. If you think about it logically, when you tender for work, you are dealing with companies who must also abide by the rules, many rules of which can be regarded as pointless, but the rules are there nevertheless and must be followed or the company will be in trouble.

If contractors must follow the rules and MUST hire CSCS card holders and they see that you are not certified, that you don't have a CSCS card even though you have a wealth of experience, then the chances are they will have to look for someone else as it's simply not in their interest to put themselves at risk with the authorities and governing bodies by hiring someone who can put everyone at risk without even knowing it as they need to clearly identify who is onsite.

Being stubborn over the CSCS cards will not help , and the longer it's left, the harder and more stressful it will be later on to find decent work and settle into what will then be a new way of going to work.