CPCS: there will be no blanket card extension

The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) will not offer a blanket extension on red cards that are due to expire at the end of this year.

Trevor Gamble, chairman of the CPCS management committee, has stated that there will not be a universal extension for the 3,200 holders of expiring red CPCS cards – even though Major Contractors Group members will not allow plant operators to work on their sites without a recognised card.

However, red cardholders can appeal to the CPCS for their cards to be extended if they can show they are actively pursuing conversion to the blue card.

Today’s CPCS management committee meeting will discuss the conditions under which individual cards can be extended for a fixed cost of £20.

It is expected that individuals will have to apply in writing explaining why they have not already moved to a blue card. They will also have to include a supporting letter from their employer, as well as one from an NVQ assessor confirming their registration on a course and the expected completion date.

The lack of training centres delivering NVQ for plant operators – only 60 out of more than 300 centres – is a major obstacle preventing operators upgrading to blue cards, according to Mick Norton, group training manager (plant) with Roger Bullivant.

The Construction Industry Training Board has contacted the 3,200 operators whose red cards expire this year and received around 1,000 replies. Of these, 500 will be contacted by an area monitor who will find a training provider and facilitate gaining NVQ Level 2 and upgrading to a renewable blue CPCS card.

CPCS will also debate scrapping the minimum age limits on those entering the CPCS through the assessed route (21 years) and for issuing of red CPCS cards (18 years).

[Contract Journal, 8 November 2006, p 17]