The Society is now recognised as a professional body by the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), meaning CSD members with relevant skillsets are now eligible for CSCS cards.

Most people in construction are familiar with Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards. It’s the card that provides proof that individuals working on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do on site.

In most cases applicants are required to achieve a recognised construction related qualification (usually an NVQ or SVQ) as well as pass the Construction Industry Training Board’s Health, Safety and Environment test within the last 2 years.

However, not everyone is aware that CSCS also offer cards for members of approved Professional Bodies. Applicants for CSCS cards can use their Professional Body membership to prove their skills, rather than the achievement of an NVQ or other equivalent qualifications.

Speaking of the announcement Society Chief Executive, Frank Peters said:
“For more than 90 years the Society has promoted professional design best practice in Interior Design and its related disciplines. Being professional is about being responsible to clients, colleagues, the public and society, and exercising due diligence in matters of health and safety is a paramount responsibility when working in operative environments. Recognition by CSCS is evidence of the rigorous and robust nature of the Society’s membership programme in qualifying, accrediting and monitoring its members at all career stages.”

Full member and other relevant grades of membership of CSCS recognised professional bodies can apply for the CSCS Professionally Qualified Person (PQP) card i.e., CSD Members, Fellows and Chartered Designers. Those in levels of membership which eventually lead to a PQP card are often eligible for the Academically Qualified Persons (AQP) card while working to become full members.

Garry Mortimer, Operations Manager at CSCS said: “Professional Bodies have a long history of qualifying construction professionals. This is why in 2003 CSCS began recognising professional body membership for CSCS cards.”

CSCS recognises 62 professional bodies with more than 32,000 professional body members holding a CSCS card. Full details are available on the CSCS website.

Garry Mortimer continued: “The process for obtaining CSCS recognition is relatively straightforward. We require the professional body to demonstrate that their membership criteria have been successfully mapped against the relevant National Occupational Standards where they exist, or other appropriate national standard and that there are robust CPD requirements. If this is the case, then CSCS can issue a card. “

Obtaining a CSCS card through a professional body membership is especially useful for those who currently hold CSCS cards under Industry Accreditation.

For further information and applying as a CSD member click here.