4615 CSCS cards revoked in CITB clampdown

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Thousands of CSCS cards are being revoked because of the test centers they were taken at, the susspect five test centers have since had there licences revoked.

CITB has confirmed that  4615 cards have been revoked following an investigation by news night after fraudulent activity was highlighted at certain centres as reported here by nationaltradesmen..

Those who need to retake the tests were informed in November by the CSCS Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) Test.

CSCS is paying for them to retake the tests in the form of vouchers were provided so the centers they would need to retake the tests at would not be affected to badly.

2,000 people who had completed the Site Safety Plus certificate were required to retake their test and 6,000 candidates who had completed the HS&E Test also have been told they need to retake.

All those affected were told that they needed to retake by 20 December 2105 or risk the cancellation of their CSCS cards.

It is now known that 5,480 did not register to retake their test so these cards have now been struck of but may still be in circulation so site managers are being urged to check all cards electronically against the CITB’s database.

4,615 cards have been revoked and the remaining 553 candidates have until the 14 February to retake the test before they are revoked.

Graham Wren, Chief Executive at CSCS, said: “We take assurance that CITB’s in-depth analysis was accurate.

“While we accept that some people have been inconvenienced we have kept this to a minimum and removed unsafe cards from circulation.”

“We are urging employers to check the validity of all cards by either electronically reading the CSCS SmartCard or by using “Card Checker” via the CITB website, to make sure that invalid cards are not permitted on site.

“While the number of people suspected of fraudulent activity is relatively small, compared to the 400,000 cards issued each year, this type of behaviour has the potential to undermine legitimate employees and harm the reputation of the industry.

“It is important employers are able to trust the training and qualification providers as well as the card certification schemes carrying the CSCS logo.”