coteca.co.uk > Blog > Blue vs Gold CSCS Card: Is It Time to Upgrade?
The blue vs gold CSCS card difference is one level of qualification. A blue card says you’re a skilled worker with an NVQ Level 2. A gold card says you’ve gone further, either to NVQ Level 3 in your trade or into supervision. On paper that’s a small step. On site it can change the jobs you’re put on and what you’re paid.
If you already hold a blue card and wonder whether gold is worth the effort, this guide compares the two, explains the two kinds of gold card and sets out what the upgrade involves.
| Blue Skilled Worker | Gold Skilled Worker | Gold Supervisor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification | NVQ Level 2 in your trade | NVQ Level 3 in your trade | Supervisory NVQ Level 3 or 4 |
| Who it’s for | Qualified tradespeople | Advanced craft tradespeople | Supervisors and foremen |
| CITB test | Level set for your trade | Level set for your trade | Specialists (Supervisory) |
| Valid for | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
The Blue Skilled Worker card is the standard card for a qualified tradesperson. It shows you’ve been assessed as competent at NVQ Level 2 and have passed the CITB test for your occupation. For most bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers and groundworkers it’s all a site will ever ask to see.
There’s nothing second-rate about it. Many people hold a blue card for their whole working life and never need another. The reason to look beyond it is when the work you do, or want to do, has moved past what Level 2 covers.
This is where people get confused, because “gold card” means two different things.
The Gold Skilled Worker card, sometimes called Advanced Craft, is still a trade card. You get it with an NVQ Level 3 in your trade or an approved advanced apprenticeship. It tells a site you can handle the more complex work in your occupation and often that you can guide less experienced workers.
The Gold Supervisor card is a different route. It needs a supervisory NVQ at Level 3 or 4 and the Supervisory version of the CITB Specialists test. It’s for people who run a gang or a section, whatever trade they came from. The two cards look alike, but they aren’t interchangeable. A Gold Skilled Worker card doesn’t make you a supervisor in the eyes of a principal contractor.
It depends on where you want your work to go. The upgrade tends to pay off if:
If you’re happy on the tools at Level 2 and your sites accept the blue card, there’s no rule saying you must upgrade. Renew the blue card every five years and carry on.
The upgrade is the qualification, and you can earn it without leaving work.
Browse the NVQ courses to find the Level 3 that matches your trade or role.
Think about the next five years, since that’s how long either card lasts. If your work is staying the same, the blue card does the job. If you’re taking on harder work or other people’s safety, the gold card puts that on record and opens the door to the roles that ask for it.
Tell us your trade, the NVQ you hold and what you do day to day. We’ll tell you which gold card fits, which NVQ gets you there and which CITB test to book, then handle the card application when you’re ready.
TC
Really feeling great to find such platform to get done my CSCS through Mr Akhil Anand will recommend to everyone.
AT
I was very pleased with the service. Ram Ghagat, was funny, encouraging and also made me feel very comfortable. He was very easy to communicate with, and very supportive. Experience was 10/10.
GS
Excellent service. Can’t fault them.
JB
Good service, always at the end of the phone, more than willing to help and friendly. Dexter wills was a great help.
MC
Called up for a new CSCS card application. Dexter helped me fantastically and professionally.
After a mix up with my email address on my part, Dexter spent several hours sorting this out for me, even calling me to nice he had gone home to continue helping sort the issue that honestly I had caused.
Thank you and I would recommend them.
SC
Amazing company Coteca are!!!
Ram and Dexter was Brilliant through the whole process helped me through it
When I needed help they rang me within minutes.
If you need to do your CITB test please book through these guys.
Thanks guys!!!
BC
I had a brilliant experience with Coteca and there employee ram was help full and brilliant with assistance through the company
I sincerely appreciate the help and support given to me by Mr. Ram he encouraged me to go for the ultimate one which I really give him the credit.
BD
Great experience with my agent throughout the process of applying for my card will definitely use again
JD
Kevin Wilson and staff at Coteca were very helpful and friendly in applying for my blue skilled worker CSCS card. Highly recommend.
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