What is an ACE Card?
The ACE scheme is an engineering construction industry safety card that ensures the competence of workers in the UK.
ACE stands for ‘Assuring Competence in Engineering’. Cardholders will have received both health and safety training and a qualification in a specific occupational skill that is recognised by the ECITB. Skills are validated against National Occupational Standards (NOS).
The card, which is awarded as a combined CCNSG/ACE Card, allows individuals to move between civil and engineering construction sites with a single card that validates their credentials and is one of 38 partner card schemes of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).
To be eligible, you must have an ECITB vocational qualification and hold a valid CCNSG Safety Passport (Please note that no other safety cards will be accepted to achieve an ACE card).
CCNSG Safety Passport
Read up on the syllabus and course content of the quality assured CCNSG scheme, which is the go-to safety card for the engineering construction industry.
Find out more about the CCNSGAssessing competence in engineering construction
“The ability to undertake responsibilities and perform activities to a recognised standard on a regular basis. It is a combination of skills, experience, and knowledge.”
The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) definition of competence
- For employers to be compliant with the HSE they should assess worker competence against a recognised standard on a regular basis. Employers doing this in isolation may satisfy that requirement, but it is an inefficient way of onboarding workers who have already had their competence assessed.
- Employers who do not assess against a recognised standard on a regular basis are at risk of being non-compliant. Regular assessment against a recognised standard can be achieved using ECITB technical tests.
Disciplines covered by the ACE Card
- Plating
- Pipefitting
- NDT
- Mechanical fitting
- Mechanical maintenance
- Instrument pipe/small bore tubing
- Welding pipe
- Welding plate
- Instrument & controls
- Design & draughting
- Steel erecting
- Moving loads/rigging
- Project control
- Management
- Supporting engineering activities
- L2 Performing Engineering Operation (EAL)
- L2 Thermal Insulating (TICA)
ACE Card FAQs
How are ACE Cards issued?
ACE Cards are automatically generated from the ECITB when individuals meet the criteria – there is no application process. The ACE Card is automatically renewed by when the holder renews their CCNSG Safety Passport.
What should I do if I have lost my ACE Card?
If you have lost your ACE Card, please contact the ECITB at ace@ecitb.org.uk to get a replacement.
What do I do if my ACE Card has expired?
To renew your ACE Card, you will need a valid CCNSG Safety Passport, please contact a local CCNSG training provider to book a place on a course.
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