CPCS
The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) provides skills cards for the plant sector of the Construction and allied industries.
A CPCS card is an industry-standard identification to prove an individual has the necessary knowledge and competence to work as a plant operator within the field of construction. Since the scheme launched in 2003, over 300,000 cards have been issued across 60 categories of plant and related occupations.
If you are working in the construction industry in the UK, then it’s very likely that you will need a CPCS card. They are a widely recognised way of displaying workers have completed the necessary qualifications and gained significant real-world work experience to be able to perform their job safely and effectively.
The CPCS card application is undertaken through several stages which requires you to have passed a CSCS Health and Safety Test before being issued with the card.
The CPCS card covers the use of a wide range of construction plant and equipment categories. Training needs will depend on whether the operator is a novice or experienced operator.
The CPCS Management Committee continually review and amend the Scheme, considering ongoing Industry feedback, and external factors such as the latest occupational health issues, technology advances and new plant types.
Go to CPCS courses >
NPORS
National Plant Operators Registration Scheme Limited (NPORS) has supported the industry since 1992 and is one of the UK's leading accreditation and registration bodies for Construction and many other sectors.
NPORS are recognised by Build UK as an alternative to the CPCS Card and is CSCS affiliated. The scheme offers high standards of training and testing and is recognised both nationally and internationally. As an Accredited Training Provider (ATP), we provide NPORS training and assessments at our training centre in Kirkby in Ashfield, whilst also providing nationwide coverage on site.
NPORS Plant Operator Card
As a partner scheme of CSCS, the NPORS CSCS Construction Operators Card, is issued in line with the requirements stipulated by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and will display the CSCS logo.
For new entrants to the scheme that have no formal qualifications, training and testing is competed to achieve a Red Trained Operator Card. This card is valid for 2 years during which the plant operator must achieve the relevant NVQ level 2 qualification for the item of plant. Once the NVQ is completed, an upgrade to a Blue Competence Card can be applied for which will need to be renewed every five years.
All candidates applying for the new card will need to have passed the CSCS Health & Safety and Environmental test within the last two years before applying for the new card.
Traditional NPORS Card
If the CSCS logo is not required on your NPORS card, the option to apply for the Traditional NPORS card is available.
Once the training and assessment has successfully been completed, the operator will receive a 5-year traditional NPORS card, which is renewable. This card can be endorsed with the Health, Safety & Environment (HS&E) test logo, if the operator has passed the relevant HS&E test within the last two years.
If they don't have a valid HS&E test, then the card will be awarded without the HS&E logo.
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CSCS
CSCS stands for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme, established in 1995. Whether you are a construction worker or require access to a construction site, a CSCS card reflects your skill level and occupation.
The scheme issues a range of official cards, which provide proof an individual holder has the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do on site. The aim of CSCS cards is to improve standards and safety on construction sites across the UK.
Most principal contractors and major house builders require construction workers to hold a valid card before they are allowed on site. This gives contractors and other employers peace of mind, knowing that they are only allowing people on site who are properly qualified to be there.
CSCS cards are colour coded, an individual can apply for the card which matches their skills and qualifications to carry out their job on a construction site. In addition, certain cards also require other qualifications or proof of experience.
To gain a CSCS card, you need to pass a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. There are 3 test levels, Operative, Supervisor, and Manager. The level of test depends on the card you are applying for. The test is a touch-screen test, which must be taken in person at a test centre. They consist of 50 questions relating to health & safety specific to the construction sites, to check a candidate's understanding of health, safety, and environmental issues.
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CITB
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is the sector skills council for the construction sector in England, Scotland, and Wales. CITB supports the skills needs of the British construction sector.
We provide a range of CITB accredited courses which are part of the Site Safety Plus suite.
The Site Safety Plus (SSP) suite of courses provides the building, civil engineering, and allied industries with courses ranging from a one-day Health and Safety Awareness course to a five-day Site Management Safety Training Scheme.
Site Safety Plus courses are designed to give everyone from operative to senior manager, the skills they need to progress through the industry.
There are also refresher courses to ensure workers are keeping up with the latest practices and techniques to be safe on the job. From SMSTS to SSSTS and Health and Safety Awareness to Temporary Works Coordinator Course (TWCTC), we offer a wide range of CITB training courses.
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NRSWA
The New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) require anyone who works on the highway to be qualified for the job being carried out. As a result, one qualified operative must always be present on-site, whilst the site must have a qualified supervisor who can oversee the works.
NRSWA Street Works training courses, accredited by CITB, award successful candidates with a comprehensive set of qualifications that allow them to safely carry out work on public roads and highways.
We offer the full range of modules from Signs, Light & Guarding to Location and Avoidance of Underground Apparatus as well as the full 5 day Operative and Supervisor NRSWA training course and refresher.
Successful completion of the course will result in certification through Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and a Street Works Card which is valid for 5 years.
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NVQ
A construction NVQ is a qualification which proves your occupational competence to current and future employers. NVQs will allow you to gain the relevant qualification and CSCS card or plant category for you to take the next step in your development.
NVQ’s are required to gain some CSCS Cards, and Blue Competent Operator cards for CPCS and NPORS on specific plant machinery. Higher levels of NVQ lead to membership of professional organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).
To achieve an NVQ, candidates must prove they have the ability and competence to carry out their job to the required standard. The extent of the on-site observation will depend on the level of the construction qualification. Lower-level courses involve simpler skills and can be assessed relatively quickly. More advanced NVQ construction qualifications where students are expected to perform complex tasks and make judgements will require more time.
We provide various Level 2 to level 7 Qualifications for both the CPCS and NPORS schemes through the NOCN and SQA awarding bodies.
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Bespoke Courses
In addition to various training courses and qualifications we offer, we also provide expertise in a variety of other areas including:
- Bespoke, tailor-made training programmes
- Learning needs analysis, skills audits, design, delivery, and evaluation
- Supporting the development of a competence training matrix
- Coaching and mentoring schemes
- Training linked to CIPD and/or ILM units and accredited if desired
We have years of experience in writing and delivering bespoke courses and can help you understand the development and roll out processes required to ensure a successful course delivery that meets your objectives.
Apprenticeships
If you want to start a career in piling, the Piling Apprenticeship offers the perfect opportunity to be trained as a highly skilled site operative.
We deliver the Piling Apprenticeship in partnership with The Sheffield College. The 2-year programme, fully funded, covers assisting in driving, boring, and forming piles in the ground to provide firm support for buildings and structures.
Typically apprentices train for two years and gain an NVQ Level 2 in Piling Operations and the CPCS card needed to work on sites in the UK. It covers assisting in driving, boring, and forming piles in the ground to provide firm support for buildings and structures. No prior experience or qualifications are necessary, though you will need to be at least 18 years old and have basic reading, writing and maths skills - we can support you if you need help with these.
If you already have qualifications and skills, you will find the apprenticeship gives you a thorough grounding which will allow you to develop quickly. There are many routes to progress in the industry once you have mastered the basic apprenticeship.
At the end of the two years you will be a skilled operative who can continue to work and develop in the industry to build up your skills. You may want to go on and gain higher level NVQs, become specialised and in time even become professionally recognised as an Engineering Technician.
You can find out more about the apprenticeship here.
If you are interested in becoming an apprentice, please get in touch and we'll be happy to help.
