The Construction Skills Certification Scheme has been extended to encompass non-site based professionals, including consulting engineers.

The aim of the Professionally Qualified Persons (PQP) card is to enable those not working permanently on site to demonstrate competence, qualifications and health and safety awareness.

Almost 20 professional institutions, including CIBSE, have had their qualifications and membership criteria reviewed as part of the process of creating the new card. Eligible institutions will be those with qualifications that have been mapped against S/NVQ and approved for recognition against existing CSCS platinum or black occupational cards, and those regulated by the Engineering Council.

Brian Adams, chief executive of CSCS, says: “The card broadens the reach of the CSCS scheme beyond site operatives, and will be another key driver in proving competence and health and safety amongst the entire construction workforce.”

The card will identify an individual’s professional institution and will only be issued to professionals who can demonstrate a high level of health and safety knowledge through the achievement of a new Higher Managerial Health and Safety Test.

The test was developed by CSCS, CITB-ConstructionSkills and the Construction Industry Council, in close conjunction with professional institutions and consultancies.

The PQP card will be promoted to consultants and other professionals not working permanently on-site, and will encourage them to ensure that CSCS is specified in tenders and contracts in which they are involved.

Source

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