A recent study has revealed one in five people responsible for checking cards on building sites have seen fake certification cards.

This means some of the workers carrying out jobs on development sites may not be qualified.

The UK-wide survey of 1180 construction workers showed that while 86% of cardholders had their cards checked, 43% were to see if they qualify for the job.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) carried out the survey.

The research is part of a drive for construction firms to adopt new technology, making it quicker and easier to identify fraudsters.


All 1.4 million CSCS cards have microchip technology embedded inside them, allowing a site manager access to qualification information about workers.

However, 69% of respondents said they were still using a paper-based system to check cards, with only 6% using the new technology.

Head of Product Management at CITB, Braden Connolly, said: "Producing or using cards fraudulently can constitute a criminal offence. Increased action is needed to stamp out the fraudsters, which is why we are calling on industry to adopt new technology to help tackle this problem.

"CITB will continue to share intelligence and work with the authorities wherever the evidence suggests criminal activity is taking place."

CSCS Chief Executive Graham Wren said: "Thorough card checks must be carried out before allowing workers on site and employers need to ensure workers have the correct qualifications for the work they do."

(LM)