How to verify a Construction CV — official standards
Construction CVs are hard to read because the same words cover very different work. "Concrete work" can mean anything from moving formwork panels to placing reinforcement per drawings under EN 13670; "steel" can mean cutting profiles or working in a shop under EN 1090 with a defined execution class. Add international hiring, and you also deal with different vocational systems, languages and certificate formats.
A rigorous check therefore does not stop at job titles. It matches each claim to the standard that governs the work — EN 13670 and ISO 17660 for concrete and rebar, EN 1090 for steel, EN 12811 and EN 12812 for scaffolds and falsework, Directive 2009/104/EC for work equipment and work at height — and asks for the document behind it. WorkerProof runs that comparison automatically and verifies every CV three times. We check documents and claims; we do not grant recognition of qualifications.
What a strong CV must contain
A strong CV states which parts of EN 13670 the candidate actually worked on: formwork, placing reinforcement per drawings, pouring, curing and tolerances. Vague "concrete experience" without these steps tells you nothing about the level of responsibility.
Welding of reinforcing steel is governed by ISO 17660 and is not covered by a general welding claim. Look for a certificate that names ISO 17660, the issuing body and the validity period.
EN 1090 runs from EXC1 (simple) to EXC4 (bridges, stadiums). The CV or reference should state the execution class of the projects and the workshop or site role, since EXC also drives CE marking of components and workshop discipline.
EN 12810 covers prefabricated façade scaffolds and EN 12811 working scaffolds in general; EN 12812 covers falsework that temporarily carries loads. For the German market, TRBS 2121 (protection against falls) is the de-facto entry requirement and should be named explicitly.
Directive 2009/104/EC requires documented training before a worker uses ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs, forklifts or cranes, and safe organisation of work at height (guardrails first, PPE as last resort). Ask for dated training records, not a bullet point.
A Slovenian NPK or vocational diploma, a German Geselle (EQF 4) or Meister (EQF 6) can be compared on the EQF scale (levels 1–8). The CV should name the issuing institution, the year and the level, so you can compare candidates from different countries.
⚠️ Red flags to watch for
Questions to ask the candidate
- 01On your last concrete project, which EN 13670 steps were you responsible for — formwork, placing reinforcement per drawings, pouring, curing or checking tolerances?
- 02Do you hold a certificate for welding reinforcing steel under ISO 17660, and who issued it and when?
- 03Which EN 1090 execution class (EXC1–EXC4) applied to the steel structures you worked on, and what was your role in the workshop or on site?
- 04Which scaffolding standards did you work to — EN 12810 for façade scaffolds, EN 12811 for working scaffolds, EN 12812 for falsework — and do you have TRBS 2121 training for the German market?
- 05Which documented training do you have under Directive 2009/104/EC for the equipment you used (scaffolds, MEWPs, forklifts, cranes), and what is your qualification level on the EQF scale (for example NPK, Geselle EQF 4, Meister EQF 6)?
The official standards behind the score
WorkerProof checks every CV against this verified matrix.
- EN 13670 (concrete execution)
- EN 1090 (steel)
- EN 12811 / 12812 (scaffolds, falsework)
- ISO 17660 (rebar welding)
- NPK vocational (SI)
Frequently asked questions
Which standards should a Construction CV be checked against?
For execution work: EN 13670 for concrete structures, ISO 17660 for rebar welding, EN 1090 for steel, and EN 12811 / EN 12812 for scaffolds and falsework. In Slovenia, NPK vocational qualifications are also relevant.
How do I compare a foreign vocational qualification?
Use the European Qualifications Framework (EQF, levels 1–8), which places national diplomas on one scale — for example a German Geselle at EQF 4 and a Meister at EQF 6, alongside a Slovenian NPK or vocational diploma. This makes candidates comparable; it is not a decision on recognition.
Is a welding certificate enough for reinforcement work?
No. Welding of reinforcing steel is governed by ISO 17660, which is separate from general welding qualifications. Ask for a certificate that names ISO 17660, the issuing body and the validity period.
What does a candidate need before working at height or on scaffolds?
Directive 2009/104/EC requires documented training before a worker uses equipment such as ladders, scaffolds or MEWPs, and requires work at height to be organised with guardrails first and PPE as a last resort. For German sites, TRBS 2121 training is the de-facto entry requirement.
What exactly does WorkerProof verify?
We compare the claims and documents in a Construction CV against the official standards matrix — EN 13670, ISO 17660, EN 1090, EN 12811 / EN 12812, Directive 2009/104/EC and EQF levels — and run that check three times per CV. We verify documents and claims only; we do not grant or confirm legal recognition of qualifications.
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