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CSCS is the leading skills certification scheme within the UK construction industry. It has recently updated its Academically Qualified Person (AQP) card scheme criteria, including the list of qualifications it would recognise; AQP card applicants must now be qualified in a relevant subject to SCQF Level 7 to be eligible.

The NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK) qualification is currently mapped to Level 6 on the SCQF framework but will be updated to a Level 7 qualification from 2023 to ensure future learners gain a qualification that gives them recognition from CSCS. The updated specification will include additional learning on lung disease in construction workers, managing health and safety performance data and using technology in construction project lifecycles.

NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction is available in both UK and International variants. Although CSCS recognises the UK version only, both versions will be updated to ensure consistency across all qualification holders.

CSCS will continue to recognise people who have already achieved a Level 6 NEBOSH UK construction qualification until 2024. People who hold a NEBOSH National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals or NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety – both as Level 10 on the SCQF - are also able to use their qualification towards applications for the AQP card.

Angeleen Hill, CSCS Scheme Manager, said: “CSCS fully endorses the revised NEBOSH Certificate in Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK). The qualification continues to fully meet Construction Leadership Council requirements and remains a vital resource for the industry as we continue collectively to raise standards and aim towards achieving a fully qualified workforce.”

About the NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction

The UK version is closely aligned to Construction (Design & Management) (CDM) Regulations whilst the international option references ILO guidance. Whichever option is chosen, the qualification goes beyond legislation to focus on best practice so that learners can develop great health and safety practices.

Designed to reflect the highly practical nature of construction, learners will cover a broad range of topics from excavation, demolition and fire to culture, change and psychological health. Everything they need to make a construction site healthier and safer. Everything people will learn is geared towards practical application back on a construction project. It’s not just for site workers moving into a safety role either – our use of case studies and scenario assessments mean that people looking to move into the construction sector can take the qualification too.

This practical emphasis is continued in the assessment. Learners are required to complete a 48-hour assessment based on a real-life scenario to really reflect the requirements of a construction health and safety professional.

Key dates for the transition to Level 7 qualification

• 31 December 2022
  Final date for learners to register to take a Level 6 NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction assessment (this will be the January 2023 assessment). Learners must register via their accredited Learning Partner.
• 17 January 2023
  Final Level 6 NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction assessment (units NC1 and IC1).
• 7 March 2023
  First Level 7 NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction assessment (units CN1 and CI1). Any learners who have not achieved their qualification or need to retake an assessment will be transitioned to the Level 7 version of the qualification and be required to undertake additional learning and the updated assessment.
• 31 December 2024
  Final date for holders of the Level 6 version of the NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK) qualification or the Level 6 NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety to apply for AQP card.

Existing qualification holders

CSCS will continue to recognise NEBOSH learners who hold the Level 6 version of the NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK) qualification or the Level 6 NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety, if they apply for the AQP card by 31 December 2024.

The qualification parchment will be recognised as proof of achievement and verified using NEBOSH’s verification service: www.nebosh.org.uk/nebosh-verifications/

People who are studying

People who are studying towards or who intend to study towards the Level 6 version of the NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK) must be registered on NEBOSH’s systems by 31 December 2022 to take the final Level 6 assessment on 17 January (unit NC1 or IC1).

If existing learners do not sit the January assessment or are required to re-take the assessment, they will automatically be transitioned to the new Level 7 version of the qualification and take the relevant assessment (unit CN1 or CI1). Learning Partners are equipped to provide additional learning that supports learners to achieve the new standard and learners should discuss this with their Learning Partner.

For more information about the new qualifications visit: www.nebosh.org.uk/construction-uk or www.nebosh.org.uk/construction-international.