Which CRO cards are affected?
- Compressed Air Installer
- Compressed Air Maintainer
- Compressed Air Commissioning Engineer
- Lubricant/Compressed Air Pipework Installer
Why is SKILLcard closing these CRO Cards?
As SKILLcard is a partner card scheme of CSCS and is authorised to carry the CSCS logo, we are committed, alongside all CSCS partner card schemes, to deliver to the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) 2025 vision. As a result, card schemes carrying the CSCS logo including SKILLcard, must only certify those occupations with nationally recognised construction related qualifications, i.e. N/SVQs or approved equivalents.
What is the closure timetable?
SKILLcard will no longer be accepting new applications for this card with immediate effect.
Renewal applications will continue to be accepted for the occupations listed above until Tuesday 31 January 2023. Following this date these applications will no longer be accepted.
All cards issued will expire on Tuesday 31 December 2024 and cannot be renewed.
Please note, cardholders are only eligible to renew their cards within six months of their current card expiry date.
What should I apply for instead?
CRO cardholders already holding an appropriate Level 3 qualification can immediately apply for a gold card relevant to their specific occupation. Visit the “find the right card for you” page on the website to see what card best suits your job description.
A Compressed Air and Vacuum Technician gold card can be gained should you hold any of the following qualifications:
• IfATE Apprenticeship Standard - Level 3 Compressed Air and Vacuum Technician
Those looking to obtain this card should match that of the below role overview:
Install and commission compressed air and/or vacuum equipment and their associated systems; and complete servicing, fault diagnosis, repair and to ensure equipment is operating and controlled at its optimum efficiency.
CRO cardholders can continue to work within the industry under supervision with a Trainee card, while they complete the required apprenticeship (Level 3 Compressed Air and Vacuum Technician Apprenticeship).
We are currently liaising with industry specialists such as the British Compressed Air Society who are continuing to progress the national qualification pathway and hope that there will be other routes to gain a SKILLcard available soon.
Need more guidance?
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the SKILLcard team.
Email: skillcard.info@theBESA.com
