BIID MEMBERS NOW ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR PQP CSCS CARDS

The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) is pleased to announce that BIID members can now apply for Professionally Qualified Persons (PQP) cards from the Construction Skills Certification Scheme, the leading skills certification scheme within the UK construction industry. Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards are used by construction workers to show that they have the required qualifications and health and safety training for the job they do on site.

Although it is not a legislative requirement, most contractors and major house builders require site workers to hold a valid CSCS card. The scheme keeps a record of those working in the construction sector who have achieved or are committed to completing a recognised construction related qualification. This can be checked instantly by site managers, who can check the information on the card using a smartphone, tablet or PC, giving them reassurance that the cardholder is qualified for the job they do on site.

Members of approved Professional Bodies are able to qualify for a Professional Qualified Person (PQP) card. Up until now, members of the BIID were not eligible; meaning that access to building sites was only granted at the discretion and instruction of site management, and restricted the amount of involvement in these projects. As interior designers are involved in spatial planning and the redesign of building interiors, a considerable amount of time is spent on construction sites working alongside contractors, architects, joiners and other trades covered by the CSCS cards.  The decision to grant BIID members access to these cards means that interior designers will have considerably greater access to construction sites, making it easier to be involved in every process of the design project without any potential delays on site. 

Charles Leon, President of the BIID, comments: “The BIID aims to support interior design professionals and is committed to creating solutions to vocational barriers. CSCS cards are hugely beneficial for interior designers working on building projects, and we are pleased to now offer this to our members.”

To apply for a CSCS PQP card, BIID members must have passed the appropriate level of CITB health, safety and environment test appropriate to the occupation. By ensuring construction workers hold the appropriate qualifications for the job they do on site, the CSCS card plays its part in improving safety and standards on UK construction sites.