Introduction

All CPCS and CISRS operators who apply for a card from 2nd December will receive a new digital ‘smart’ card. The smart cards work through NFC (Near Field Communication) technology and by tapping the smartcard on any NFC enabled device – most modern mobile phones and tablets – the cardholder’s name, photo, categories/courses and endorsements will appear. NOCN Job Cards are working on the next stage of smart cards currently, where qualifications and NOCN Site Right training will also appear on the card as well renewal notifications.

NFC (Near Field Communication)

Near-field Communication, or NFC, is a connecting technology based on RFID (radio frequency identification). Designed to transmit short strings of information to an interacting phone, NFC tags require no internal power and for us, take the form of an ID card. While their appearance may seem unimpressive, their power comes from simplicity because they can be used where other technologies cannot.

What you need to know

• NFC tags are passive yet powerful
• They transmit information wirelessly
• They have approximately a 1” read range
• They do not require a battery

Compatibility

• iPhone XS / XR / 11 and newer read NFC natively (no app required)
• iPhone 7, 8 and may need an app (free to download)
• Most Android devices have NFC

Even though NFC is a relatively new technology it has seen rapid adoption across the smartphone industry. Android has long been known to have NFC scanning capabilities. Since 2012 the number of NFC compatible Android devices has exploded. Now nearly every Android phone supports NFC scanning.

Like most things Apple the release of iOS 11 saw the iPhone 7 and newer gain NFC read support through an app and the latest iPhone XS, XR and 11 have the ability to scan NFC from the home- screen without the need to install an app. See this iPhone compatibility guide to learn more.

Advantages of NFC

• High customer perception
• High smartphone adoption
• High security / Authentication / Exclusive content
• High value – Use-cases span the entire customer journey & product
• Cannot be copied or cloned
• Content can be updated via secure platforms
• Future proofed

NFC’s rapid adoption is a result of the technology’s many advantages. Consumers often see the technology as desirable when compared to QR codes, with NFC-enabled products becoming highly sought after.

Because NFC tags include a secure element to thwart duplication, they enable ID authentication and the ability to see exclusive content. This functionality is simply not possible with QR codes.

How to Scan an NFC Tag with an Android Phone

1. Locate where the NFC tag is located on the smart card (top left corner)
2. Touch the back of your device to where the NFC tag is located on the object and hold it there for 3-5 seconds
3. There is no step 3. Your device should open the experience after reading the NFC

Notes

• When trying to scan if an action is not immediately triggered, slowly move your phone around the NFC touchpoint until an interaction is
• Most Android phones natively have NFC
• Depending on your phone manufacturer, NFC may be switched off by default. If your phone supports NFC but still doesn’t interact with NFC objects turn on NFC

Turning NFC On and Off

Once you have determined if your device supports NFC, it’s important to understand how to turn the feature on and off. Depending on the manufacturer, it’s possible your device supports NFC but, by default, came with it switched off in the settings.

Activating NFC Android

On your Android device, tap on “Settings” Select “Connected devices or connections”

You should see “NFC” and “Android Beam” options. Turn both of them on!

NFC on iPhone

For iPhone, the steps depend on which model you have.

iPhone XR, XS 11 or newer

1. Locate where the NFC tag is located on the smart card (top left corner)
2. Tap the top of your iPhone to where the NFC tag is located on the object and hold it there for 3-5 seconds
3. Upon read a notification will appear at the top of your screen. Tap it to launch the experience.

iPhone 7 and 8

1. Download the ‘gototags’ app on the app store (free to download)
2. Launch the app and select NFC
3. Locate where the NFC tag is located on the object you are scanning
4. Tap the top of your iPhone to where the NFC tag is located on the object

Notes

• All new iPhones have NFC enabled natively without the need for an app
• Phones before iPhone 7 do not have NFC capability beyond Apple Pay

Get a Dedicated NFC Reader App

As detailed above, if you’re using an iPhone 7 through iPhone X, you’ll need a NFC reader, like the Decode NFC App ‘gototags’ on App store.

Since the transfer of CPCS to NOCN Job Cards from CITB they have experienced several onboarding issues and can only apologise to you for the delays and long wait times experienced.

1. Applications Backlog

CPCS / NOCN are processing applications from the 11th December and our priority is process
and print these cards out as soon as possible. The CPCS Team are working
overtime and staff from other areas of the Group have been seconded to assist with
the backlog.

2. Card Checker

CPCS / NOCN are aware CITB’s card checker is currently out of date and their version is not
available. CPCS / NOCN are currently in the testing phase and hope to release the final version
asap.

If you are an employer / need confirmation for your employer that you are able to
work on site please send them an email at enquiries@jobcards.org with the subject line
‘CPCS 123’ and they will send you confirmation that the operator is able to work on
site. Please note if an application has not being processed (added to our system) they
will be unable to provide this information.

3. Card Number

When you receive your new SMART card, it will have a different number to any
previous card you have held. This is because the number on your old card is a CITB
number. Your new number will be in this format 4XXXXXXX

CPCS is required to phase out blue Competent Operator cards gained through ‘Grandfather Rights’ from 1 January 2020, and any cards issued through Grandfather Rights will be completely removed by 31 December 2024.

The requirement to do this has been set by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) who have said that the minimum standard for skilled operators is a Level 2 Vocational Qualification (VQ) relevant to their occupation. You can find the CLC requirements to industry here: http://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/CLC-decision-on-card-scheme-logo-22.11.17.pdf

This requirement stretches across our whole industry and every recognised card scheme.

Grandfather Rights or Industry Accreditation in the past allowed workers to get CPCS blue cards based on industry knowledge and employer recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification.

This route was closed to new card applicants in 2003 when a Level 2 (VQ) relevant to the categories held was required, but those already holding a blue card were still able to renew under the old rules.

From 1 January 2020 all cards renewed under Industry Accreditation will expire on 31 December 2024 and we will stop issuing these cards from 30 June 2024.

What have we been doing?

The CPCS team has been working very hard over the past year to make this change as smooth as possible for those affected. We put two different proposals together that both had to be agreed and signed off by CITB as the Standard Setting Body, and CSCS.

Both of our proposals have the full backing of the CPCS Management Committee.

Our first proposal said that instead of removing your blue Competent Operator card and issuing you with a red Trained Operator card, we would continue to issue you a blue card. That blue card would have a fixed expiry of 31 December 2024. This would give you time to go away and meet the CLC requirements. You would then come back to us and get your card ‘topped up’ so that your categories reflect their original 5 year length. This proposal was accepted in April 2019.

Our second proposal said that rather than completing VQs for each family grouping you hold on your blue Competent Operator card, instead your skills and knowledge should mean that completing one Competence Interview set by NOCN CPCS would allow you to keep your cards. We submitted a Competence Interview template to CITB and CSCS over the summer and agreed in October 2019 that this was acceptable.

This means you will not have to go away and complete VQs by 2025, instead if you are affected you will need to complete one CPCS Competence Interview.

NOCN can offer this because as the leading Construction NVQ Awarding Organisation we are able to quality assure this Competence Interview to the same level of Quality as that expected of a Regulated Qualification.

If you have achieved at least one VQ in certain Construction or Plant related occupations you may not be affected at all. We will let you know.

What does this mean for you?

If you gained your blue card under Grandfather Rights, and you have not previously achieved a VQ in certain Construction or Plant related occupations, you will have to achieve an NOCN CPCS Competence Interview by the 31 December 2024.

In the meantime, as you come up for renewal from 1 January 2020 we will still issue you a blue card – you will not be disadvantaged on site. Your categories will all expire on 31 December 2024.

Once you have achieved your Competence Interview, come back to us and we will top your card up to its original expiry date. The cost of the Competence Interview will include a new smart card that will be sent out to you at an address you provide.

You can take the Competence Interview at a CPCS Test Centre. Please use our ‘Find a Test Centre’ search to locate those near to you.

If you have achieved a VQ in certain Construction or Plant related occupations – and we have evidence of this – you will not need to do anything further and we will issue you a normal blue Competent Operator Card.

What are your next steps?

You will receive guidance specific to your circumstances when you next renew your card. This guidance will be printed on the letter that your card arrives on. Please keep hold of this letter.

If you are unsure about what you need to do, please get in touch with us and we can talk to you about your individual circumstances.

We know that this is big news for our industry and we want to do everything we can to help you to meet these new industry requirements.

Message from Kay

Hi all, as you may know I’ve relapsed again and will be starting treatment next week for the 4th time! As normal my determination and support of family and friends will get me thru. 
But mainly the chemo that I have keeps it at bay which couldn’t happen without donations to Cancer Research.

So I am taking part in Relay for Life again this year. This is such a great event to raise money for cancer research. Please if you can donate to my page on the link below that would be great. Come along with the family for a lovely day out.

Thank you
Kay x

to donate please use the link below

Michaela Morphew Relay for Life

Learn how to renew card within five years of expiry, or renew cards which expired over five years ago.

Renewing a card within 5 years of expiry.

To renew you need to:

• Hold a CPCS Blue Competent Operator Card for the category which is within five years of expiry date
• Pass the relevant CITB health, safety and environment test within the last two years
• Pass the CPCS Renewal test for each category held*
• Demonstrated on-going practical operating experience through a choice of routes:
  • Logbook
  • On-Site Assessment
  • CPCS Practical test
  • NVQ

Completion of form F1/3 Application to Renew CPCS Competent Operator Card, to be submitted to the mailing address on the reverse of the application form. There is no need to attach payment as the cost of processing the application is included in the CPCS Renewal test fee.

* For more information on which Renewal tests to take and how to book them visit the Module Matcher, the online system built specifically for the renewal of the CPCS Blue Competent Operator cards.

A Blue Competent Operator Card will be issued for five years. Full details on how to renew are available within the Scheme Booklet for Operators.

Renewing a card which expired more than 5 years ago.

The CPCS Management Committee has agreed to new criteria for expired Competent Card holders.

If a Blue Competent Operator Card is more than five years past the expiry date, a cardholder who wants to renew it will have to:

• Pass CITB Health, safety & environment test
• Pass the CPCS Theory Test for each category held
• Pass the CPCS Practical Test for each category held
• Hold the relevant NVQ (if not held a Trained Operator Card will be issued)

For further information and advice, contact our CPCS Helpline on 0844 815 7274.

Learn how to extend your Red Trained Operator card for 12 months or 2 years.

You can follow one of two routes, depending on when your card expired.

1) For a 12-month NVQ extension, you must:

• Hold a CPCS Red Trained Operator card which is in date, or within 12 months from the expiry date
• Be registered for a NVQ relevant to the category

Once these elements have been achieved, call the CPCS Helpline on 0844 815 7274, confirm your details and make a payment of £25, you will be asked to provide proof of a NVQ registration by email or post. This is a non-refundable fee for the services of processing the application.

A new card will be issued for 12 months (from date of application) to enable the NVQ to be achieved. Once the NVQ has been achieved, you will be able to apply to Upgrade to a Blue Competent Operator card

2) For an additional 2 Year card, you must:

• Hold an expired trained operator card by more than 12 months
• Hold a valid CITB health, safety and environment test
• Achieve the CPCS theory test (within two years of the CITB health, safety and environment test)
• Achieve the CPCS practical test (within six months of the CPCS theory test and within two years of the CITB health, safety and environment test)
• Both CPCS theory and practical tests are delivered by an accredited CPCS test centre. (Find a CPCS Test Centre)
• Be registered for the NVQ.

Once all these elements have been achieved, the CPCS test centre will request the CPCS Additional 2 year Red Trained Operator card on your behalf.

CITB’s updated Health, safety and environment test for the construction industry is to launch on 26 June 2019.

CITB has announced a major update to the Health, safety and environment test, which it introduced in 2001 in response to high levels of significant accidents and incidents in construction. Over the last 18 years it has been key to improving health and safety in the industry.

CITB regularly reviews the test to make sure it meets current health and safety legislation, including any changes to EU regulations (which the UK is still subject to) and is aligned with the latest industry practice. Around half a million people sit the test each year, making it one of the most taken after the driving licence.

This time a much more detailed review has taken place, taking into account feedback from construction workers, employers and other key stakeholders across the industry.

CITB has worked with leading assessment company Pearson VUE to improve the format of the questions, and to ensure the test remains fair, reliable and valid. This included piloting new questions and formats with 7,500 candidates over the past year.

The test for construction operatives in particular is being substantially updated to better reflect the range of day to day tasks and responsibilities on site. The test instructions have also been made clearer, in response to candidate feedback.

CITB will be writing to all CSCS card holders who are renewing their card, and informing employers, to let them know about the updates. All new applicants will be informed about the test changes and encouraged to prepare appropriately.

Updated revision materials, such as DVDs, books, downloads and apps, will be available from 15 May 2019.

Braden Connolly, CITB Director of Products and Services, said: “The Health, safety and environment test is being brought up to date with current legislation. We’ve worked with those in the industry as well as Pearson VUE, a market leader in computer testing, to make sure it sets a world class standard. Safety is paramount, so it’s vital that the revised test provides even more assurance to those working in the industry that everything is being done to keep them safe on site.”

Simon Kenworthy, owner of JAK Building Services, attended the standard setting workshop for the construction operatives test.

He said: “Hopefully all the hard work put into the update of the HS&E operatives test willenable all new operatives entering the construction industry to gain the required knowledge of Health and Safety. The new range of questions covers different areas of on-site activities, which those working in construction they will undoubtedly encounter.”

Douglas Price, Health and Safety Manager at Morgan Sindall, also attended the workshop.

He said: “The standard setting process for the revised test was undertaken by a panel of highly knowledgeable and qualified individuals covering a range of construction sectors.

“With an ever-changing industry and multicultural workforce the panel undertook a full and critical review of what was already in place and what could best move us forward. Every question and proposal was reviewed and discussed in depth to ensure it met industry’s needs.”

Find out more about planned updates to the HS&E test.

CITB has agreed to sell its Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) to NOCN Group, one of the sector’s largest Awarding Organisations (AO). The sale will include the retention of all CPCS-related jobs in Norfolk, as well as all CPCS-related mobile roles.

The move comes as part of CITB’s Vision 2020 programme of reform to better meet the demands of British construction. CITB will take on a more strategic and influential role focusing on securing the right training mix, high standards and quality assurance, building employer confidence in the market.

The CPCS provides skills cards to individual workers involved in the plant sector of the construction and allied industries. Each card provides identification and recognises the competence and qualifications of the individual holder. The scheme maintains health, safety and environmental standards through a programme of testing to prove workers comply with minimum standards.

Braden Connolly, Director of Products and Services at CITB, said: “CITB is committed to supporting a robust, high quality skills and training market. Card schemes will continue to play an important role in demonstrating workforce competence and by stepping away from direct delivery, we remove any conflict of interest. CITB will evolve to oversee and ensure standards are maintained, targeting funding to meet current and future skills needs. This will enable us to focus on building the right relationships with providers to secure the kind of provision British construction needs.

“We already have a successful relationship with NOCN Group – having sold our Cskills Awards to them last August – so we are delighted that NOCN Group will continue the CPCS. We are confident that the organisation will continue to deliver this scheme to the highest quality. CITB will remain part of the CPCS Management Committee and NOCN Group Board, ensuring our influencing role helps to maintain high standards and meets the needs of the sector.”

Graham Hasting-Evans, Managing Director of NOCN Group, said: “With this acquisition, NOCN Group continues to build its education and skills investment in the construction sector. NOCN has successfully integrated Cskills Awards to become the premium construction qualifications brand, now it welcomes CPCS into the Group to widen its product range further. This will give the Plant industry a single organisation to go to for its skills needs, increasing the speed and cost effectiveness of the journey into work. We will retain the CPCS business in Norfolk to ensure continuity, keeping jobs local and protecting livelihoods.”

The agreed sale of the CPCS to NOCN Group is an example of a service which CITB will transfer as part of its Vision 2020 plan to take on a strategic role to influence training provision and competence. This means providing training and card schemes will be better delivered by others.

The transition is expected to happen in two phases with completion expected by August 2019, subject to all parties being ready. This will ensure a smooth changeover of systems and processes with minimal disruption to colleagues and customers.