How to Get a Blue CSCS Card - Information, Tips & Advice

Introduction
What are CSCS Cards?
What is a Blue CSCS Card?
Who Needs a Blue CSCS Card?
What Trades Require a Blue CSCS Card?
How Do I Get a Blue CSCS Card?
Can You Get a Blue CSCS Card Without an NVQ?
Can I Apply For a CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card From Outside the UK?
How Much More Can I Earn With a Blue CSCS Skilled Worker Card?
Finding the Right NVQ Level 2 Blue Skilled Worker Course
Top Tips to Get a Blue CSCS Card
Conclusion
Why choose PIP Services for your training?

Introduction

For many workers in the construction industry, it is important to hold the correct CSCS card. Without it, you may be unable to get work. However there are many different types of cards available, and this post focuses on the blue skilled worker card.

Let's go over everything you need to know about these cards.

What are CSCS Cards?

CSCS cards are used throughout the construction industry as a way of demonstrating that a person has certain skills and site safety knowledge. They are used throughout the industry as a way for employers to know if they can allow a worker onto their site.

CSCS cards come in different colours that signify the skills the holder has and their level of seniority. It has become a standardised way for people who work in construction to prove that they have a certain level of skill.

You can learn more about all CSCS cards in our informative article CSCS Cards - Everything You Need to Know.

What is a Blue CSCS Card?

A blue CSCS card is also known as a Blue Skilled Worker card. You can apply for one of these cards if you complete a level to NVQ, or a valid apprenticeship, in a construction-related discipline.

Other CSCS card types include:

Green: This is for labouring duties only.
Red: Issued for a range of roles from trainee and apprentice to experienced technical manager.
Gold: This is also a skilled worker card, but indicates an advanced qualification to NVQ Level 3. There are also entirely separate Gold Cards for supervisors and managers.

Who Needs a Blue CSCS Card?

Blue CSCS skilled worker cards are usually required to obtain skilled work on a construction site although it depends on the trade and role. With these cards, you can prove to employers, supervisors and managers that you have completed the training to perform your duty.

Staff members may physically check your card although CSCS always advised digital checks, so they might scan it to accurately access details of your training history.

There are many disciplines in construction that blue cards apply to, however depending on the required skill level or qualification for a role you might need a blue card or a gold card.

What Trades Require a Blue CSCS Card?

The majority of trades in the construction industry require a blue CSCS card as evidence that you have completed your training. Here is a list of the most common trades:

Tiling.
Bricklaying.
Carpentry.
Construction.
Dry lining.
Joinery.
Painting and decorating.
Plastering.

If you are qualified with an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in any of these trades, you should apply for a blue CSCS card so that employers and managers can check your history.

How Do I Get a Blue CSCS Card?

To get a blue CSCS card, you have to demonstrate the necessary skills and knowledge for your role. This is done by having the right qualifications, which is typically achieved by one of the following to options:

Achieving a construction-related NVQ or SVQ level 2 or an SVQ at SCQF level 5.
Completing an approved apprenticeship.

You will also need to have completed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test. This shows that you know the fundamentals for safe working in hazardous building and construction environments.

To apply for your blue CSCS card, you should first use a card finder to confirm what card you need and the qualifying criteria. You can then apply for your card via the CSCS online application portal.

For your application, you will need the following:

A scanned copy of your qualification.
The ID number from your valid HS&E test.
A debit/credit card to pay the £36 application fee.

Once you get it, your blue CSCS card will be valid for five years.

We offer a free CSCS card checking service and can help you understand what training and qualifications you will need to apply for the CSCS card you wish to obtain. As an accredited provider of CITB training and a ProQual approved NVQ centre offering construction NVQs, we can also provide the relevant training you will need to progress your career in construction.

If you would like to use our free CSCS card checker service and get expert advice from our friendly team, please get in touch using the button below.

Can You Get a Blue CSCS Card Without an NVQ?

It is not possible to obtain a blue CSCS card without having passed your NVQ level 2 or equivalent qualification. However, if you are currently doing that training, your NVQ training provider can help you get a red CSCS card by proving that you have paid for and enrolled on a relevant training programme.

If you are currently employed as a labourer and hold a green card, it could be highly advantageous to your career progression to embark on approved training to obtain the relevant qualification to become a skilled worker. You could then apply for a blue skilled worker card.

This is the best way to boost your earnings and make construction a viable career choice for your future. And, by increasing your earnings, you can quickly recoup what you paid for the training and move on to build for your long-term goals. The NVQ course pretty much pays for itself!

Can I Apply For a CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card From Outside the UK?

If you have a construction-related qualification that was awarded outside of the UK and is not recognised by CSCS, you will need to apply for an Industry Skills Statement. Your qualification will be reviewed to determine if it is authentic and has a comparable UK equivalent.

How Much More Can I Earn With a Blue CSCS Skilled Worker Card?

According to data from talent.com, people with a green CSCS card earned an average of £21,548 in 2023. This amounts to an average hourly wage of between £12.39 and £13.54, depending on whereabouts in the country you live.

With a blue skilled worker CSCS card, that average hourly wage goes up to around £17 per hour which is a healthy 37% increase. This could increase your yearly earnings to something in the region of £35,000, which is a respectable salary for modern workers. It also opens the door to progressing further, like working towards a gold CSCS card once you are more experienced.

Finding the Right NVQ Level 2 Blue Skilled Worker Course

It’s important to enrol on the correct NVQ Level 2 course for the trade you want to work in. Courses are generally offered online, in the classroom or blended learning (a mixture of both).

We offer blended learning NVQ courses, so you’ll complete part of the course online (including video meetings with your tutor), and part in our local NVQ training centre in Dagenham, Essex. The NVQ Level 2 courses we offer that will get you your blue skilled worker card are;

If you would like any information or advice regarding these courses and how they can help you get your CSCS Blue Card, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

Top Tips to Get a Blue CSCS Card

Earn the right qualification – an NVQ level 2 or an apprenticeship.
Pass the CITB HS&E test
Prepare the necessary documentation, including a scanned copy of your qualification and your valid HS&E test ID number
Apply online through the CSCS online application portal
Pay the £36 fee

Conclusion

Getting a blue skilled worker CSCS card is a vital part of your career progression in the construction industry. You will need to undertake a level 2 NVQ or an apprenticeship to earn the qualification to get a blue CSCS card, but it could significantly increase your earning power and open the door to further career progressions down the line.

We are a leading provider of NVQ training to people in the construction industry and can offer you a range of benefits to help you take the next step in your career.

Why choose PIP Services for your training?

We’re an accredited CITB, NEBOSH, IOSH, IWFM & CITB training centre, as well as a ProQual-approved NVQ centre.

We provided a comprehensive national training solution that specialises in delivering NVQs from Level 1 to Level 7, covering trades such as carpentry right through to Construction Supervision, Construction Management and Health and Safety.

Since launching in 2005, we have rapidly progressed with thousands of clients coming through our training centre in the heart of Dagenham each year, as well as providing online options where available.

We are rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot, and you can read our reviews here. If you would like to speak to us about your training needs, please get in touch using the button below.