Valid for three years, and cannot be renewed
The Industry Placement card is valid for three years and cannot be renewed. It is meant to cover you for the duration of your placement and study, after which you move on to a different card if you stay in the industry.
Important: this card does NOT lead to a skilled CSCS card
CSCS is clear that the Industry Placement card does not lead to a skilled CSCS card. Finishing a T Level or Traineeship on its own does not make you eligible for a skilled card. To progress, you would move onto an apprenticeship (then the Apprentice card) or register onto an N/SVQ (then the Trainee card), never straight to a skilled card. Knowing this early helps you plan the right next step.
Who is the Industry Placement card for?
The Industry Placement card is a red, temporary card for students aged 16 or above who are registered onto a construction-related qualification or training programme that requires a minimum of 30 days' work placement as part of the qualification. It exists so that students can spend time on a real construction site as a structured part of their course, with the health and safety basics covered.
Eligible programmes
CSCS gives these examples of qualifications and programmes that can qualify a student for the card:
- T Levels
- Traineeships
- Foundation and Progression Qualifications (Wales)
- Sandwich Degrees
The common thread is that the work placement of 30+ days is a built-in requirement of the qualification, not something organised separately.
Programmes that are NOT eligible
- Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) work experience initiatives, these are short placements that are not linked to a national qualification programme.
- Level 1 and Level 2 Diplomas that are not T Levels, even if you complete 30 or more days on placement, the qualification itself must require the placement as a minimum requirement for you to be eligible.
Test requirements
You need a current CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test pass, typically at Operatives level for a student going on site, achieved within the last 2 years. Because the Industry Placement card covers many different construction occupations, use the official CSCS Card Finder to confirm the exact test for your specific occupation before you book. The test is 50 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes with a 45/50 (90%) pass mark.
How to apply
Applications go through CSCS Online, with cards typically arriving within 5 working days. Who submits the application depends on the programme:
- For T Levels and Traineeships, the training providerusually applies on the student's behalf.
- For Sandwich Degrees, the employer or the student applies directly.
The card costs £36, the standard CSCS card fee. You provide your CITB test pass and a compliant photo as part of the application.
After my placement, what next?
Because the card does not lead to a skilled card, plan your next step early. The route depends on what you move onto:
- Progressing to an apprenticeship → apply for the Apprentice card.
- Registering onto an N/SVQ (or other recognised occupational competence qualification) → apply for the Trainee card.
- There is no automatic skilled-card eligibility from completing a T Level or Traineeship alone.
Overseas qualifications
If you hold a non-UK qualification that is not recognised by CSCS, contact Ecctis for an Industry Skills Statement, which assesses your overseas qualification against UK standards so it can be used in a CSCS application.
How our mock tests help you prepare
Most students take the CITB Operatives HS&E test, and our practice tool covers that syllabus directly with over 3,000 exam-style questions and a clear explanation on every wrong answer. Drill topic by topic in practice mode, then sit a full timed free mock test, no signup needed. For all the routes into the industry, see our types of CSCS cards directory and CSCS card types explained.
Sample HS&E question
What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?
Answer: A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm, for example a trailing cable, a chemical, or working at height. A risk is the chance (likelihood) that the hazard will actually cause harm, combined with how serious that harm could be. So a hazard is the thing; the risk is how likely and how bad. Controlling risk means reducing either the likelihood, the severity, or both.