Skills card and registration requirements for suppliers of the Highways Agency

Introduction

The Highways Agency requires its suppliers to employ fully qualified and registered operatives, whose registration/skills cards show the status and categories of work that the holder is competent to do. Registration and skills cards are issued by the National Highway Sector Schemes (NHSS) and the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).

Highways Agency contractors and sub-contractors are usually required to attend NHSS. They outline the latest information about skills cards and provide details of operatives' minimum qualifications and training that are acceptable to the Highways Agency and other overseeing organisations.

The Highways Agency accepts CSCS cards that are included in an NHSS. However, NHSS often include additional minimum requirements beyond CSCS registration, such as refresher training. CSCS-registered operatives also need to comply with these requirements.

This guide describes the registration/skills card requirements specified by the Highways Agency for their suppliers.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Skills card schemes for Highways Agency contractors
• Health and safety test for highway workers
• The Construction Plant Competence Scheme and the construction plant list