Following the passing of the Industry Accreditation withdrawal deadline for CSCS card renewals, which was the end of December. The next planned card change by the sector is the CSCS Green Labourers card. We believe that many companies are unaware of these pending changes, so you should find the information below helpful for future planning.
This may raise significant concerns if you rely on CSCS green labourers cards for access to sites for your workforce. In short, the existing 5-year Green Labourers cards can’t be renewed, and everyone will be moved to this new Labourer card when their existing 5-year cards expire.
Please read the full blog for all of the information released to date by the CSCS team and FAQ’s.
For CITB levy registered companies to facilitate these changes, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has extended grants and support until March 2026 for qualifications required to transition from Industry Accreditation (IA) and CSCS Green Labourers cards when held by those who complete a skilled occupation. Employers are encouraged to claim grants, Skills and Training Fund and to utilise the Employer Network to offset qualification costs and ensure workers have the credentials to maintain site access.
Temporary, non-renewable red cards will support workers waiting to complete their qualifications. Skilled occupations must follow the guidance for their occupation. Our all NVQ page can be searched by occupation to find your recommended NVQ. You can also use the CSCS card finder tool to help decide which CSCS card to apply for CSCS Card Finder.
For more detailed guidance, please contact our friendly team for advice and support.
From 1st February 2025, on 1st application, the labourer card will be reduced from 5 years to 2 years, with workers who continue to work in labouring roles able to renew for 5 years by providing evidence they are employed in a labouring role. (The Operative health, safety and environment test used for the initial card 2-year card application will only see its validity extended to 3 years, allowing it to be used for renewal.)
Labourer Card:
The first labourer card will now only be valid for two years instead of five, and individuals who continue to work in labouring positions can renew their card for an additional five years by proving they are still employed in labouring roles.
The Construction Industry Training Board forecast estimates approximately 140,000 labourers will be needed annually by 2028. However, with 500,000 labourer cards in circulation, it is evident that the card is oversupplied by around 360,000.
Applicants can renew as a five-year card if it is within one year of expiry of the previous card and providing evidence of working in a Labouring role is submitted.
If the previous card has expired by more than one year the applicant will need to submit an appeal by providing evidence of working in a Labouring role.
If you are applying for a new card due to expiry, you will be issued with the 2-year card; for renewal at the 2-year point, you will need to complete the labourer declaration form.
5-year Green Labourers cards can’t be renewed, and everyone will be moved to this new Labourer card when their existing 5-year cards expire.
The CITB’s description of a labourer is as follows: A construction labourer performs manual labour on construction sites to assist with the build, repair of structures and/or cleaning of structures/sites.
Construction labourers perform a variety of tasks, including moving materials and equipment, digging trenches, mixing and pouring concrete, mixing mortar, cleaning up the site, assisting with laying foundations, assisting with preparing for and laying drainage, assisting with building walls, maintaining records and ordering equipment
Construction labourers can work in several roles, including site preparation, loading materials, and tidying/cleaning the site. They may also support skilled tradespeople like electricians, plumbers, and bricklayers.
All construction workers should hold the relevant CSCS card to access a construction site, but those attending site to perform a non-construction occupation or who are office-based and rarely visit site should not be expected to carry a card.
You can at this stage apply for the new 2 years labourers card but at the 2 year expiry will have to provide evidence of working as a labourer. For those at CITB levy registered companies the funding will cover the majority of costs for the required NVQ’s.
A common annoyance in the sector where some feel they are forced into completing a qualification when they have years of experience in their trade.
If you are considering an NVQ due to these changes or want to find out more please speak to our team about how short and slick the process can be. These are competence qualifications, there is no classroom training. NVQ’s are candidate led so can be completed in a short period once most of the evidence is gathered. It’s an assessment process for you to evidence the years of experience and skill you have in your skilled occupation.
CSCS cards are not a legal requirement they are a recommendation by sector as a way for employers and individuals to demonstrate competence to a set standard. As an employer it provides an auditable way of demonstrating you and your employees have the skills and experience to perform the work to a quality standard and safely. As an individual it provides a physical benchmark standard to go alongside your experience in the industry.
That depends on the NVQ and your location and whether you work for a CITB levy registered business. If you are happy to reach out and contact our friendly team after clarifying this we will be able to provide a quote.
Individuals performing non-construction tasks or participating in short-term work experience (less than 30 days) do not require a card. Site managers, however, must provide appropriate inductions.
CSCS is working with industry stakeholders to address unnecessary card requirements for non-construction personnel.
(Source CSCS.UK.com https://www.cscs.uk.com/card-type/labourer/#:~:text=Labourer%20card%20changes%20%2D%20FAQs)
