Getting a CSCS card...

[Liam]

Just wondering if anyone could help me out.
Basically I'm going to work for my Dad for a while to save for a snowboarding trip. He is going to put me on a building site and he says I need a CSCS card. Firstly does anyone know which card I would need? According to the website there are a few different cards, but I've no idea which one. I have no site experience whatsoever and really I have no idea on the in's and out's of it all. I also noticed there is a SkillsDirect option on there. Not sure if I have to do this one instead? Any help would be appreciated.

[-Alex-]

Are you an apprentice or fully trained?

[Liam]

Neither. Luckily for me I'll be getting a full wage, but with no experience. I've got to be taught. I'm proper confused by it all.

[-Alex-]

Originally Posted by liam08

Neither. Luckily for me I'll be getting a full wage, but with no experience. I've got to be taught. I'm proper confused by it all.

You'll need a Trainee card then mate.


Trainee Cards (Craft and Operative)

You will qualify for this card if you are a trainee, and registered for an NVQ or SVQ (or Construction Award) but have not yet achieved level 2 or 3.

If in doubt call them up.

EDIT: ACTUALLY properly reading that it appears you would need to be enroled in college =\

[dannyboy2005]

iirc. you can get your CSCS card if you do a weeks course with the college

Iirc, around £300... Quite steep

I got mine for free

[-Alex-]

Originally Posted by dannyboy2005

iirc. you can get your CSCS card if you do a weeks course with the college

Iirc, around £300... Quite steep

I got mine for free

Likewise I got wine through the JIB.

[Liam]

According to my Dad I can just go on site as a labourer and I can be trained by one of his guys. He says I just have to take a health and safety test. I'm confused. He doesn't know what I have to do because his test is totally different.

[-Alex-]

Best idea would be to call them up mate, then you will get a deffinate answer

[Liam]

I planned on doing that, but was unsure when they re-open. I wanted to get it booked ASAP, so I thought I'd see if you guys knew anything. Nothings easy lol.

[Kev_Vtec]

i worked at cscs.
cscs will try and sell you cards you dont need tbh. its all part of making more money.
imo ide say get a labourer card, most of the time you can get away with having that.
cscs will say, what do you do on site? aka bricklayer...... they will say thats the card you need, but then they will try and say what else do you do?? hoping you will say aka scraffolding (sp) etc they will say you need that aswell..... goes on and on.

so just get a labourer card cheapest way.
also the test is so easy just common sense.

[Liam]

Originally Posted by Kev_Vtec

i worked at cscs.
cscs will try and sell you cards you dont need tbh. its all part of making more money.
imo ide say get a labourer card, most of the time you can get away with having that.
cscs will say, what do you do on site? aka bricklayer...... they will say thats the card you need, but then they will try and say what else do you do?? hoping you will say aka scraffolding (sp) etc they will say you need that aswell..... goes on and on.

so just get a labourer card cheapest way.
also the test is so easy just common sense.

Oh right, cheers man. So I don't need anything fancy? Pricier than I thought it would be. So just go for a labourer's card and I should have no worries? I don't wanna get myself or anyone else in the shit lol.

[Kev_Vtec]

labourers card will be fine.
all you say if you did get asked which you shouldnt do if you keep yourself to yourself, is the person on the phone at cscs told me thats what i need. so thats what i get etc etc, play the soft dum lines it works trust me ive done it myself hehe.

i got the test for free as i worked there.

[Liam]

Well the only person I really have to answer to is my Dad. So that shouldn't be a problem. £47 for the test. Suppose it has to be done. Any idea's on the best books or DVD's for the questions?

[Kev_Vtec]

go to whsmiths or anygood book shop.
they sell the book

cant rember the name of it because it always changes. but the staff should know
if you say its for a cscs card etc.


also online i think they is some tests

if not call cscs and ask for the name of the book.
sorry i cant be of more help mate

[Liam]

You've helped me loads dude. Proper appreciate it

[andiz]

i just got the labourers card £20 for test £20 for the card with no site expirence. test was proper simple didnt need the book just common sence but this was 3 years ago so the costs may have gone up since then but it was piss easy

[saxowebby]

i got mine through work i got the cscs, the traffic management cscs and the vehicle safety fence cscs tickets.

the normal cscs cours is basically common sense and cost £17.50 yes thats right not £300. and yes it is the right one

[ne_jam]

i did mine via the college a few years ago was just a basic labouring card, well infact i didnt even buy the card once u have completed they test u are given a number this number can be input onto the cscs site and verify you have passed the test and no reasons to pay the extra £20 for the card !

[Cupra-Craig]

Its just a basic test. Its piss easy common sense is all you need.

Its just a basic card to gain entry onto sites.

Mine was £30ish

[bullit]

Originally Posted by liam08

According to my Dad I can just go on site as a labourer and I can be trained by one of his guys. He says I just have to take a health and safety test. I'm confused. He doesn't know what I have to do because his test is totally different.

yeah hes right. youll just get an induction on site and then your good to go but obviously youve got to bullshit saying your a labourer. youd need a cscs card when you qualify.