Glossary of Construction Qualifications

Abbreviation	Meaning	Description
Agile	Project management qualification	See PRINCE2®
APC	Assessment of Professional Competence	See RICS
BIFM	British Institute of Facilities Management	See IWFM
BIID	British Institute of Interior Design	Offers professional membership to interior designers who meet their criteria for education, experience, and professional competence.
BIW	British Institute of Welding	Professional body and society dedicated to promoting excellence in welding and joining technologies.
C&G	City and Guilds	Offers a wide range of qualifications and certifications across various sectors, including construction, engineering and more.
CEng	Chartered Engineer	See ICE
CIBSE	Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers	Professional engineering institution which focuses on promoting the science and practice of building services engineering.
CIOB	Chartered Institute of Building	Offers a range of professional qualifications for construction management, such as the Chartered Construction Manager (MCIOB) and Chartered Builder (MCIOB) designations.
CISRS	Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme	A scaffold-specific qualification that certifies individuals in scaffold erection, inspection, and dismantling. It covers various levels, from trainee to advanced scaffolder.
CITB	Construction Industry Training Board	Including Site Safety Plus: CITB offers a range of Site Safety Plus courses, including the Health and Safety Awareness course
COTS	Construction Operative Training Scheme	Card demonstrates that the individual has undergone basic health and safety training specific to the construction industry.
CPCS	Construction Plant Competence Scheme	Provides certification for individuals operating construction plant machinery, including excavators, cranes, forklifts, and more.
CSCS	Construction Skills Certification Scheme	CSCS cards are widely recognized proof of occupational competence in the construction industry. They cover a range of professions and skill levels, including skilled worker, supervisor, manager, and professional roles.
EAL	Excellence, Acheivement & Learning	Offers a wide range of qualifications and certifications across various industries, including engineering, manufacturing, and construction.
ECS	Electrotechnical Certification Scheme	The ECS card is a certification for individuals working in the electrotechnical industry, including electricians and electrical contractors. It verifies their technical competence and health and safety awareness.
EngTech	Engineering Technician	See ICE
Gas Safe Register	Replaced CORGI in 2009	The official registration for gas engineers in the UK. It is a legal requirement for individuals working with gas appliances and systems to be registered with Gas Safe.
HNC	Higher National Certificate	Courses which are often more focused on hands-on learning, designed to provide practical skills and knowledge.
HND	Higher National Diploma	Practical skills and knowledge in a specific subject area, making them more vocationally oriented compared to traditional academic degrees.
ICE	Institution of Civil Engineers	ICE offers professional qualifications for civil engineers, including the Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng), and Engineering Technician (EngTech) titles. These qualifications demonstrate competence and expertise in civil engineering.
IEng	Incorporated Engineer	See ICE
IET	Institution of Engineering and Technology	To promote and advance the knowledge and practice of engineering, provide a platform for networking and collaboration among engineers, and support the professional development of its members
IMechE	Institute of Mechanical Engineers	One of the oldest and most prestigious professional engineering institutions in the world.
IOSH	Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (construction certificates)	Offers a range of construction-specific certificates, including the Managing Safely in Construction certificate, which focuses on health and safety management in the construction industry.
IPAF	International Powered Access Federation	Offers training and certification for operating and managing powered access equipment, such as scissor lifts, boom lifts, and mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).
IStructE	Institution of Structural Engineers	Professional Qualifications: IStructE provides professional qualifications for structural engineers, including Chartered Structural Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Structural Engineer (IEng), and Engineering Technician (EngTech) titles.
ITSSAR	Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register	Accrediting body which provides quality assurance, certification and training for operators of industrial lifting and plant equipment.
IWFM	Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management	Professional body and membership organization in the United Kingdom that represents and supports facilities management professionals.
JIB	Joint Industry Board	See ECS
LOLER	Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations	A set of health and safety regulations in the United Kingdom that specifically address the use of lifting equipment in the workplace.
MCIOB	Member of the Chartered Institute of Building	See CIOB
MEWPs	Mobile Elevating Work Platforms	See IPAF
NEBOSH	National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (construction certificates)	Provides several construction-focused qualifications, such as the NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety. These qualifications cover health and safety management in the construction sector.
NPORS	National Plant Operators Registration Scheme	Certification scheme in the United Kingdom that provides recognition for the skills and competence of individuals operating various types of construction plant machinery and equipment
NVQs	National Vocational Qualifications	Work-based qualifications that assess an individual's competence in a specific occupation. In the construction sector, NVQs are available for various trades such as bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, and more.
PAL Card	Powered Access Licence	For operating Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), Mast Climbing Work Platforms (MCWPs) or Construction Hoists (CHs).
PASMA	Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association	A UK organization which focuses on promoting the safe use of mobile access towers (scaffolding). PASMA provides training courses and certifications for individuals involved in the assembly, dismantling, and use of mobile access towers.
PCS	Plumbing Competence Scheme	See PHIE
PHIA	Plumbing and Heating Industry Alliance	Offers certification for plumbing and heating engineers, including the Plumbing Competence Scheme (PCS) and various specialist qualifications.
PMP	Project Management Professional	Certification to validate and demonstrate the competence of project managers in leading and directing projects.
PRINCE2®	Projects in Controlled Environments	A certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and understanding of the PRINCE2 project management methodology
RIBA	Royal Institution of British Architects	Founded in 1834, RIBA's primary mission is to promote excellence in architecture and provide support to architects throughout their careers.
RICS	Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors	Provides several professional qualifications related to surveying, including the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) for chartered surveyors, as well as various pathway qualifications like quantity surveying, building surveying, and project management.
SMSTS	Site Management Safety Training Scheme	See CITB
SSSTS	Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme	See CITB
SVQ	Scottish Vocational Qualification	Vocational qualification awarded in Scotland.
TMIET	Technical Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology	A professional qualification that recognises individuals as competent engineering technicians who have met the standards set by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
WIAPS	Water Industry Approved Plumbers Scheme	Aims to ensure the competence and quality of plumbers who work on water supply systems