An outfit calling itself ‘Construction Card Scheme Online UK’ is offering the full range of CSCS cards – including CPCS plant operator, IPAF PAL cards, CCDO (Certificate of Competence of Demolition Operatives), Gas Safe and CSCS Gold Card site supervisor – for prices ranging from £200 to £800.
It is not immediately clear whether it is a scam simply taking money of would-be construction workers seeking a short-cut to qualification and sending nothing in return or whether it is flooding the market with bogus cards for unqualified workers. Our call to the listed phone number went straight to voicemail.
The first legitimate organisation to sound the alarm was the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), which, together with the National Demolition Training Group (NDTG), has issued an alert. NFDC reckons it is just a scam. It said that CSCS has investigated the site and is “working with legal to have the situation resolved”.
We have asked CSCS for comment and will update this report if and when we receive a reply.
Meanwhile, the NFDC said in its alert: “NFDC and NDTG are advising the industry to be aware of a website ‘Construction Site Card UK’ (ccsouk.com) and corresponding Instagram account advertising various construction industry job cards, including CCDO, with no tests or examinations.
“As a reminder, NDTG is the only issuing authority for CCDO cards and this organisation is not approved to either deliver CCDO courses or issue CCDO cards. Please do not use this website. It is alleged that those who have fallen victim to its claims have made payments upfront and received none of the promised deliverables.”
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