Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS)

What Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) does

CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) is the UK scaffolding industry's primary competency certification scheme, operating since the 1970s under the governance of NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation). It issues tiered qualification cards (Labourer, Base, Trainee, Scaffolder-Tube & Fitting, Scaffolder-System, Advanced Scaffolder, Basic/Advanced Inspection, and Manager & Supervisor) to more than 70,000 UK cardholders and 100,000 cardholders worldwide, with cards verified at construction site access points through the CSCS Smart Check platform. The scheme is the preferred qualification standard endorsed by CSCS, NASC, Build UK, UNITE, and the largest scaffold systems manufacturers, and is effectively required for site access in the UK construction market.

Its core product surface is the CISRS card certification scheme, supported by an approved training centre network (which pays licensing fees to deliver CISRS programmes), the HSE Test, and a software compliance suite (TG20 for tube and fitting and TG30 for system scaffolding). The 2026-launched ScaffPal mobile app extends delivery into a digital channel, offering guidance library access, ePortal compliance sheets, event registration, and future digital CISRS card functionality. CISRS also operates an Overseas Training Scheme (OSTS) to extend standards internationally, and a 2025 landmark review proposed a single worldwide competence standard by 2028.

CISRS is a non-profit operating with approximately 12 employees from a London headquarters, governed jointly within the NASC group under Group CEO Clive Dickin. Revenue is generated through card issuance/renewal fees and training centre licensing (characterised in source material as licensing/royalties), though specific pricing is not publicly disclosed. Distribution is event-driven (ScaffEx, Scaffolding Insider magazine, NASC regional channels) and partner-driven (CSCS Smart Check integration, CITB Prescribed Organisation status, and approved training centre network). Given its non-profit structure, there is no external equity ownership or funding rounds.

Name

Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS)

Legal name

Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS)

Website

https://cisrs.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CISRS is the UK scaffolding industry's primary competency certification scheme, operating under NASC and issuing tiered qualification cards to 70,000+ UK and 100,000+ worldwide cardholders, with training delivered through approved centres and verified via CSCS Smart Check.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Workforce Certification

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE) (EDAAALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL), Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM), Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ), Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• Scaffolding certification
• Construction training
• Competency verification
• Workforce qualification
• Construction safety training

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. CISRS Card Certification: Revenue is generated through the issuance and renewal of CISRS cards to scaffolding professionals. Training centres pay licensing fees to deliver CISRS-approved training programmes.
2. Training Centre Licensing: Approved training centres pay fees to deliver CISRS training programmes and issue cards under the scheme.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CISRS operates a qualifications and card scheme for scaffolding operatives, supervisors, and managers that verifies competence through training and assessment. Tiered certifications range from Labourer through Trainee Scaffolder, Scaffolder (Tube & Fitting and System), Advanced Scaffolder, Basic/Advanced Scaffold Inspection, and Manager & Supervisor. Training is delivered through a nationwide network of approved training centres, with cards verified through the CSCS Smart Check platform for construction site access.

Product overview

CISRS operates as a unified qualification and certification scheme for the scaffolding industry, offering a portfolio of products and services centered around competency verification and training standards. The core offering is the CISRS Cards system, which provides certification at multiple levels from Labourer through to Advanced Scaffolder and Manager/Supervisor. Supporting this are software compliance tools: TG20 for tube and fitting scaffolding and TG30 for system scaffolding, both providing industry-standard compliance sheet support. The ScaffPal mobile app serves as a digital gateway, offering guidance library access, compliance sheet retrieval via the NASC ePortal, and event management for industry events including ScaffEx. Training is delivered through a network of CISRS-recognized training centres, with an overseas scheme extending standards globally. The scheme is preferred by CSCS, NASC, Build UK, UNITE, and major scaffold systems manufacturers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ScaffPal: Mobile application launched by NASC providing guidance library, NASC ePortal access, event registration, and planned features including training certificates and digital CISRS card.
• TG30

Products and services

• CISRS Cards Certification cards for scaffolding professionals at multiple competency levels including Labourer, Base, Trainee Scaffolder, Scaffolder-Tube & Fitting, Scaffolder-System, Advanced Scaffolder, Basic Scaffold Inspection, Advanced Scaffold Inspection, and Manager & Supervisor. Used by employers and site access systems to verify competence.
• CISRS Training Programme Comprehensive scaffolding training covering system training, scaffolding awareness, and tiered qualifications delivered through approved training centres. For scaffolding operatives, supervisors, and managers seeking industry-recognised competence.
• CISRS Overseas Training Scheme International training scheme enabling scaffolding competence certification for workers outside the UK, extending CISRS standards globally with planned single worldwide standard by 2028.
• HSE Test Health and Safety Executive test required for CISRS card applications, administered as part of the certification pathway.
• TG30 System Scaffolding Software Software and compliance suite for system scaffolding providing compliance sheet support, similar to TG20 for tube and fitting. Includes independent birdcage scaffold configurations. For scaffolding contractors and designers.
• TG20 Compliance Software Industry-standard software and compliance guidance for tube and fitting scaffolding, referenced as the established standard for tube and fitting scaffolding compliance sheets.
• ScaffPal Mobile App Mobile application providing NASC guidance library access, NASC ePortal compliance sheet retrieval, event registration including ScaffEx, exhibitor/sponsor browsing, and attendee networking. Future updates will include training certificate access and digital CISRS card. For scaffolding industry professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70,000 CISRS cardholders in the UK
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026NASC and CISRS achieved Prescribed Organisation status with CITB in March 2026. This gives NASC an official role in the CITB levy consensus process, providing a recognised voice on how training funding is directed across the construction industry.
• CWIC Scaffolding AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CWIC Scaffolding Academy in Swansea partnered with NASC and CITB to deliver Welsh Teacher Tours programme, introducing careers advisers to the scaffolding industry.
• Centregreat EngineeringminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnered with NASC and CWIC Scaffolding Academy for the Welsh Teacher Tours event in Swansea, providing industry insight into scaffolding work across construction and infrastructure.
• CITBminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CITB partnered with CWIC and Centregreat Engineering to explain funding, grants, and recruitment initiatives available to employers and individuals entering the scaffolding sector.
• NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASC is the parent trade body for the scaffolding and access sector. CISRS operates under NASC governance. NASC represents over 923 member organisations and provides oversight for CISRS operations, training standards, and industry guidance. The organisations share leadership, with Clive Dickin serving as Group CEO of both NASC and CISRS.
• CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCISRS is preferred by CSCS. CISRS cards are verified through CSCS Smart Check platform, which is the only platform capable of verifying all 2.3 million cards carrying the CSCS logo.
• Build UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuild UK is a preferred partner for CISRS. The organisation represents major contractors and works to improve construction industry standards.
• UNITE the UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNITE is a preferred partner for CISRS. The union represents construction workers including scaffolders.
• Major Scaffold Systems ManufacturerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCISRS is preferred by the largest scaffold systems manufacturers, indicating industry-wide endorsement of the qualification scheme.
• CSCScoreTechnology or IntegrationCSCS Smart Check API integration enables real-time verification of CISRS cards. The upgraded platform now captures GPS coordinates, site IDs, and read reasons for workforce intelligence.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Build UK: UK construction industry representative body for major contractors and trade associations. Build UK is a core partner of CISRS and overlaps in its mission to drive industry standards, making it an adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme): The UK construction skills certification umbrella body that verifies CISRS cards through its Smart Check platform. CSCS issues its own cards and partners with industry schemes like CISRS, CPCS, and others, making it a direct counterpart in construction workforce credentialing.
• NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation): The parent trade body of CISRS representing 923+ scaffolding member organisations. NASC shares Group CEO (Clive Dickin) and operations with CISRS, and is the closest structural peer, operating as the trade association arm while CISRS is the certification arm.
• PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers' and Manufacturers' Association): UK trade association that delivers card-based competency certification for mobile access tower users and inspectors. PASMA operates an equivalent training-centre-led certification model to CISRS, serving a closely adjacent scaffolding-access vertical.
• IPAF (International Powered Access Federation): Global not-for-profit that trains and certifies operators of aerial work platforms and mobile elevating work platforms. IPAF follows the same card-based competency verification model as CISRS, operating internationally and serving the broader access equipment workforce.
• CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme): A construction skills certification scheme for plant operators, also operating under the CSCS alliance. CPCS follows the same model of card-based competency verification through approved training centres, making it a structural peer to CISRS in a different construction trades vertical.

Broad incumbents

• CITB (Construction Industry Training Board): The statutory training board for the UK construction industry that collects the industry training levy and funds apprenticeships. CISRS achieved Prescribed Organisation status with CITB in March 2026, making CITB both a key partner and a broader incumbent in the same training and credentialing ecosystem.
• ECITB (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board): UK statutory training board for engineering construction industries, performing an analogous role to CITB for the engineering sector. ECITB is shown as a CISRS partner and operates a similar industry training and certification model in a related but distinct vertical.

Regional players

• CITB Northern Ireland: The Northern Ireland construction industry training body, operating a parallel but smaller model to UK CITB. Comparable to CISRS in that it sits within the same construction training and certification ecosystem but scoped to a distinct UK jurisdiction.

Emerging players

• IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health): UK-based chartered body that issues safety credentials such as the IOSH Managing Safely certificate. Overlaps with CISRS's safety/compliance angle (CISRS administers the HSE Test) but focuses on general occupational safety rather than scaffolding-specific trade certification.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cisrs-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS)