Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills praises Industry Placement card

22 June 21

Gillian Keegan MP, the Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills, has voiced her support for the introduction of the Industry Placement card. 
 
On her Twitter account the Conservative MP for Chichester wrote: “Delighted that @CSCS are introducing the new Industry Placement Card. Massive benefit to #TLevels students starting out on their career and for employers looking to recruit future talent like these Design Surveying & Planning students I met at @DerbyCollege.”
 
Changes to educational policy in the UK have seen an increased focus on vocational education. This includes the introduction of the Traineeship Skills Development Programme and T Level qualifications. These new pathways into construction involve a mixture of classroom learning and extensive on-the-job experience. To support learners transitioning from the classroom into the workplace, the construction industry is introducing the Industry Placement Card.
 
The card displaying the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) logo will be available from September and is for learners aged 16 (or above). Applicants must be registered onto recognised qualification or training programmes requiring a minimum of 30 days’ work placement, which is intended to ultimately lead to a job in construction and the built environment. 
 
Andy Reakes, Head of Growth at ECS, said: “Identifying the correct card scheme ensures the learner starts off on the right pathway and enjoys smooth progression through the industry. Like all cards displaying the CSCS logo, the card should be checked thoroughly before allowing a learner on site. A thorough check is the most effective way for employers to be sure learners are working towards the appropriate qualifications for the job they do on site.”
 
The introduction of the Industry Placement card follows extensive engagement with the industry including engagement with the Construction Leadership Council and the Department for Education, and taking onboard the feedback from an industry wide consultation carried out in early 2021. 
 
Training providers and colleges delivering Industry Placements, such as T Levels, can register learners and manage the ECS card applications and manage health and safety assessments through the ECS Portal. To find out more about the benefits of becoming a JIB Registered or Preferred Training Provider, please see more information and the contact page here.