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CISRS Scaffolder, Part 1, Part 2, and Skills Testing

Operatives who are undertaking the CISRS training required for a CISRS Trainee Card leading to a CISRS Scaffolder Card will initially be required to obtain their CISRS Labourer Card to qualify for the programme. A CISRS Labourer Card must be held for at least 3 months before a trainee can attend Part 1 training.

Note: to enter the CISRS Part 1 and Part 2 programme a delegate will initially require:

• A COTS course taken and passed within 2 years.
• A CITB Health, Safety and Environment test taken and passed within 2 years (or accepted exemption).

CISRS Course Detail

CISRS scaffolding delegates will be expected to complete the following training:

• CISRS Part 1 (Leading to an initial Trainee card, which can be taken within 3 months to 2 years of successfully completing the COTS course)
• CISRS Part 2 and NVQ Level 2 SCQF Level 5 (Leading to a second Trainee card, within 6 months to 18 months of successfully completing the Part 1 course)
• CISRS 1 Day Skills Test (Leading to a Scaffolder card for candidates who have already successfully completed their CISRS Part 1 and 2 courses and gained the minimum 6 months scaffold experience since completion of their Part 2 and completion of the NVQ Level 2).

CISRS Part 1

CISRS Part 1 is a 10-day programme. The CISRS delegate will need to take and pass the CISRS Part 1 within 18 months. The CISRS Trainee card can be applied for after 6 months of successfully completing the CISRS Part 1 course and not more than 18 months following this.

A CISRS Trainee will also need to take a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test taken and passed within 2 years (or accepted exemption).

Trainees will need to take and pass CISRS Part 1, before progressing to CISRS Part 2.

Note: It is important that all Employers ensure that Trainee Scaffolders are given Work at Height Training prior to being deployed to site to carry out scaffolding operations. This training must include as a minimum, SG4, the Use, Maintenance and Inspection of Harnesses and Awareness of Rescue Techniques. It is recommended that this training is recorded and stored in the Trainee’s personnel file.

Any CISRS Trainee Scaffolder card holder will be considered a trainee scaffolder regardless of the experience they have within the scaffolding industry, and they should only undertake scaffolding activities under the direct supervision of a qualified scaffolder.

CISRS Part 2

To complete the CISRS Trainee programme the trainee will then need to take and pass the CISRS Part 2 within 18 months after passing CISRS Part 1. CISRS Part 2 is also a 10-day training programme. The Trainee will also need to complete and pass:

• NVQ Level 2 / SCQF Level 5
• A CISRS 1 Day Skills Test

CISRS One Day Skills Test

Candidates who have already successfully completed their CISRS Part 1 and 2 courses and gained the minimum 6 months scaffold experience since completion of their Part 2, must then pass a 1-day CISRS Skills Assessment and NVQ before applying for their Scaffolder card;  the skills test is to demonstrate that they can safely erect, alter and dismantle scaffolding.

Course Delivery

Courses are delivered at CISRS training centres located across the UK, and centres undergo annual audits to ensure they continually meet CISRS Scheme criteria.

Candidates must have successfully completed and passed required course elements at each point in the progression described above.

On completion of the programme an operative can then apply for the CISRS Scaffolder Card, which is valid for a period of 5 years at which stage it will expire. To renew the card it will be necessary to complete a CISRS 2 Day CPD/Refresher Course to continue the qualification.

Other relevant CISRS Courses

• CISRS COTS (for  Labourers)
• CISRS Scaffolding Awareness
• CISRS Advanced Scaffolder (the next step for those who wish to hold the Advanced Scaffolder Card)