All IA cards issued from 1 January 2020 will expire on 31 December 2024 and cannot be replaced using IA.

The transition is needed to meet the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) recommendations which state that all construction industry card schemes must operate with nationally recognised qualifications in place for all occupations.

Those affected by changes to IA, also known as grandfather rights, do not need to attend college to get their new qualification. Enhanced grants are available to CITB-registered employers for specific qualifications achieved until 31 March 2026.

To support construction workers’ transition from an IA card to a qualification, CITB have increased the grant for specific supervision NVQ Diplomas/SVQs to £1,250 and specific management NVQ Diplomas/SVQs to £1,500 for achievements from 1 April 2023.

Training providers will work with individuals to get assessors to visit their workplaces to evidence competence, or they have the option to do this remotely. Employers can then claim the grants to get money back for their employees taking the qualifications.

Temporary, non-renewable red cards exist with CSCS and can be used by those waiting to complete their qualification. This means they won’t need to lose access to site and can continue working in this time. Existing qualifications and memberships may make them eligible for other CSCS cards too.

Anyone affected by IA changes who does not get assessed and qualified by the 31 December deadline will have an expired card that will no longer be valid.