I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 to 177, inclusive, together.
Schedule 5 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 sets out the occupations which are covered under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme. Individuals working in construction in any of the occupations listed in Schedule 5 of the Construction Regulations are legally required to be in possession of a current SOLAS CSCS Registration Card. In order to qualify for a CSCS Registration Card applicants are required to have six months experience under direct supervision of a competent supervisor before presenting themselves for the CSCS training and assessment programme. On successful completion of this programme candidates are awarded QQI Certification and are issued with a CSCS Registration Card which is valid for a period of 5 years.
While there is no legal requirement for candidates to hold a CSCS trainee card while attaining the 6 months experience, SOLAS does offer a CSCS New Entrant Plant Operator course as an introduction course for new entrants. The course introduces participants to good practices and provides an opportunity for participants to become familiar with the particular item of plant they intend to operate. The course gives new entrants a good grounding in the safe operation of plant machinery before embarking on their training period on site. On successful completion of this course, participants receive a SOLAS CSCS Trainee Registration Card with an expiry date of two years from the date of the course.