Which Skill Card Do You Need?
Here are the Skill cards you can apply for. Please remember, you need to have the right qualification or an equivalent to apply for a Skill card.
Green - Mate/Assistant
This card is issued to individuals performing only basic site work.
It confirms that the holder has met the SKILLcard health and safety requirements and is qualified to perform basic site tasks. All applicants must meet these health and safety standards. The card is valid for five years.
It confirms that the holder has met the SKILLcard health and safety requirements and is qualified to perform basic site tasks. All applicants must meet these health and safety standards. The card is valid for five years.
Blue - Skilled Worker
This card is issued to Modern Apprentices with a relevant Apprenticeship Standard, NVQ or SVQ Level 2, and to skilled workers with the same qualification. It also applies to skilled workers with an informal apprenticeship and a relevant City & Guilds craft certificate. All applicants must meet SKILLcard health and safety requirements. The card is valid for five years.
Blue / Gold - ACRIB/SKILLcard Refrigeration/ Air Conditioning Engineer
Engineering Services SKILLcard and ACRIB offer a jointly badged card combining ACRIB Refrigerant Handling registration with SKILLcard requirements. Blue cards are for skilled workers with NVQ/SVQ Level 2 or a relevant City & Guilds craft certificate, while Gold cards require NVQ/SVQ Level 3 or an advanced craft qualification. Applicants must hold an approved refrigeration or AC qualification, valid F-Gas certification, and meet SKILLcard health and safety requirements. This card is valid for five years.
Blue - Experienced Worker
This card is for individuals without formal industry qualifications who are working towards a relevant NVQ/SVQ Level 2 or higher. Once qualified, you can upgrade to a blue or gold SKILLcard. It is valid for three years (one year for non-NVQ/SVQ/Standard routes) and cannot be renewed.
To apply for an Experienced Worker SKILLcard, you must have at least five years’ relevant experience, a valid Health and Safety test (within two years), be working at Level 2 or 3, and be registered with an approved assessment centre.
Gold - Advanced Craft
A Gold SKILLcard is issued to skilled workers with an Apprenticeship Standard, NVQ or SVQ Level 3, an indentured apprenticeship, or an informal apprenticeship with a relevant City & Guilds or SCOTVEC (SQA) advanced craft certificate. All applicants must meet the SKILLcard health and safety requirements. This card is valid for five years.
Gold - Supervisor
This card is available for supervisory roles including Team Leader, Building Services Engineer Supervisor, and Building Services Technician. Applicants must hold a relevant Level 3 qualification (or higher) in building services engineering and meet an approved health and safety requirement. Generic Level 3 supervisory qualifications must also be supported by a recognised Level 3 building services qualification. This card is valid for five years and is renewable subject to SKILLcard renewal rules.
White - ACRIB Refrigerant Handler
Engineering Services SKILLcard and ACRIB offer a jointly badged construction-related card for operatives registered as competent to handle refrigerants. Applicants must hold an approved qualification, such as City & Guilds 2079 (Cat 1), BESA FG Cat 1, a DEFRA-recognised NVQ/7189 unit, or Logic 603/1917/3 (Cat 1), and meet SKILLcard health and safety requirements. The card may also include additional refrigeration-related qualifications. This card is valid for three years.
White - Professionally Qualified Person (PQP)
This card is available to Building Services Engineers who meet the corporate membership standards of a SKILLcard-approved Professional Body. Applicants must provide proof of current membership at an accepted level, such as a membership certificate, card, or a current letter or email from the professional body. Renewal applications require confirmation of continued membership, and all applicants must meet SKILLcard health and safety requirements. This card is valid for five years.
White - Academically Qualified Person (AQP)
This card is available to Building Services Engineers who hold a SKILLcard-approved academic qualification. Applicants must provide a copy of their qualification certificate as proof. All applicants must meet the SKILLcard health and safety requirements. This card is valid for five years.
Red - Trainee
This card is for new entrant trainees, including apprentices, adult trainees, student engineers, BSE technician trainees, and HNC or degree students who have not yet completed their qualification. Employers must confirm basic site safety induction for apprentices, and all other applicants must meet SKILLcard health and safety requirements. Cardholders are expected to upgrade to the appropriate Blue, Gold, or White AQP SKILLcard once qualified. This card is valid for five years and is non-renewable.
Red - Industry Placement Card
This card is for students aged 16 or over who are enrolled on a qualification or training programme requiring at least 30 days’ work placement, including T Levels, Traineeships, Foundation and Progression Qualifications (Wales), and Sandwich Degrees. All applicants must meet the SKILLcard health and safety requirements. This card is valid for three years and is non-renewable.