Tradesmen for the UK
– Prepare before you arrive and get employed quicker!

In order to work in the UK Construction Industry you are required to hold certain UK qualifications and certificates. These certificates are obtained in the UK after sitting assessments. 1st Contact has partnered with a company that specialises in assisting Australian and New Zealand tradesmen prepare for and obtain these registrations and certificates.

This company is owned and operated by Australian tradesmen who have been through the process themselves, have worked in the UK as tradesmen and now use their experiences to help tradesmen before they arrive to prepare for the UK construction industry. Their advice is to purchase these packs before you leave home. The packs are then posted to you before you leave so you can use the study guides to prepare for the assessment. This ensures that you can obtain registration immediately upon arriving and get to work quicker.

• Carpenters

  • Construction Health and Safety Test – To work on a UK construction site you will need to pass a 45 minute computer based test, made up of 40 multiple choice questions. This package provides you with the study book before you leave and a scheduled test date at our partners test centre in west London.
  • Skills Recognition - You will need a statement of comparability from UK NARIC. This document certifies that an overseas qualification is recognized in the UK at a comparable level. This statement of comparability is obtained as part of the Carpenters package.
  • Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card – To work in the UK construction industry you will need to have proof of competence. The CSCS card states your qualifications and shows you have passed the Health and Safety test. A CSCS application along with your Health and Safety pass result with a certificate of apprenticeship/transcripts and employer references need to be submitted to obtain this card. This package includes the CSCS application and assistance in submitting the application.
  • Registration to Work – A one on one interview with the recruitment section of our partners company will register you as ready to work with any of their clients and finalise any other requirements to get you on site.
  • Self-Employment, Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) and Unique Tax Reference (UTR) - To work in the UK in the construction industry you will need to register as self-employed as you are a subcontractor. You will also need to register within the CIS, this allows you to reduce your tax rate from 30% to 20%. Once registered you will receive a UTR that verifies you in the construction industry and tax system.
  • Tools – Our partner has teamed up with a local wholesaler to provide you with discounted tools. It’s advisable to bring your hand tools and cordless drill with you and to purchase additional tools once you are in the UK.

• Plumbers

  • Construction Health and Safety Test – To work on a UK construction site you will need to pass a 1 hour computer based plumbing or gas test, made up of 50 multiple choice questions. This package provides you with the study book before you leave and a scheduled test date at our partners test centre in west London.
  • Trade Recognition – Overseas trade qualifications must be recognised as comparable to a UK level. Once the trade recognition is granted the appropriate trade qualification card will be applied for as part of this package.
  • Engineering Services SKILLcard Registration – The SKILLcard is the industry recognised scheme for building services engineering sector throughout the UK and required for plumbers. An application along with your Health and Safety pass result with a certificate of apprenticeship/transcripts and employer references need to be submitted to obtain the blue SKILLcard stating your qualifications. This package includes the SKILLcard application as well as the assistance in organising and submitting the application.
  • Registration to Work – A one on one interview with the recruitment section of our partners company will register you as ready to work with any of their clients and finalise any other requirements to get you on site.
  • Self-Employment, Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) and Unique Tax Reference (UTR) - To work in the UK in the construction industry you will need to register as self-employed as you are a subcontractor. You will also need to register within the CIS, this allows you to reduce your tax rate from 30% to 20%. Once registered you will receive a UTR that verifies you in the construction industry and tax system.
  • Tools – Our partner has teamed up with a local wholesaler to provide you with discounted tools. It’s advisable to bring your hand tools and cordless drill with you and to purchase additional tools once you are in the UK.

• Electricians

  • Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) Health and Safety Certificate – To work in the UK as an Electrician you must gain an ECS certificate. The certificate is gained after passing a 30 minute computer based test, made up of 40 multiple choice questions. This package provides you with the study book before you leave and a scheduled test date at our partners test centre in west London.
  • City & Guilds 2382-10 (17th Edition) Course – For Level 3 Certificate – You will need this certificate in order to be graded at the highest level for Electricians in the UK construction industry. This certificate is gained by passing a 2 hour online exam consisting of 60 multiple choice questions. This package provides you with the 17th Edition book home study course with CD-ROM to prepare for the exam and a scheduled test date at our partners test centre in West London.
  • Joint Industry Board (JIB) Grading – JIB Card – The JIB will issue you with a licence to demonstrate your level of grading taking into account your qualifications. An application along with your ECS certificate, City & Guilds Level, apprenticeship/transcripts and employer references need to be submitted to the JIB to be assessed. This package includes the JIB application as well as the assistance in organising and submitting the application.
  • Registration to Work – A one on one interview with the recruitment section of our partners company will register you as ready to work with any of their clients and finalise any other requirements to get you on site.
  • Self-Employment, Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) and Unique Tax Reference (UTR) - To work in the UK in the construction industry you will need to register as self-employed as you are a subcontractor. You will also need to register within the CIS, this allows you to reduce your tax rate from 30% to 20%. Once registered you will receive a UTR that verifies you in the construction industry and tax system.
  • Tools – Our partner has teamed up with a local wholesaler to provide you with discounted tools. It’s advisable to bring your hand tools and cordless drill with you and to purchase additional tools once you are in the UK.

• General Trades

  • Construction Health and Safety Test – To work on a UK construction site general tradesmen will need to pass a 45 minute computer based test, made up of 40 multiple choice questions. This package provides you with the study book before you leave and a scheduled test date at our partners test centre in west London.
  • Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card – To work in the UK construction industry you will need to have proof of competence. The CSCS card states your qualifications and shows you have passed the Health and Safety test. A CSCS application along with your Health and Safety pass result with a certificate of apprenticeship/transcripts and employer references need to be submitted to obtain this card. This package includes the CSCS application and assistance in submitting the application to obtain the CSCS card (licence) stating your trade.
  • Registration to Work – A one on one interview with the recruitment section of our partners company will register you as ready to work with any of their clients and finalise any other requirements to get you on site.
  • Self-Employment, Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) and Unique Tax Reference (UTR) - To work in the UK in the construction industry you will need to register as self-employed as you are a subcontractor. You will also need to register within the CIS, this allows you to reduce your tax rate from 30% to 20%. Once registered you will receive a UTR that verifies you in the construction industry and tax system.
  • Tools – Our partner has teamed up with a local wholesaler to provide you with discounted tools. It’s advisable to bring your hand tools and cordless drill with you and to purchase additional tools once you are in the UK.