What is CPCS?

The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) provides skills cards for the plant sector of the construction industry. It was launched in 2003 at the request of employers to help them to comply with regulations and requirements, and aims to apply common standards for all plant operators. CPCS covers a large range of plant and plant related categories and is continually being added to.

CPCS is the industry's largest scheme for plant operators, with over 280,000 issued across 60 categories and endorsements of plant or operations.

Cards that are available;

Trained Operator Card (red) - a two year trained operator card that is not renewable for those who have demonstrated a level of;

• Health and safety awareness through the ConstructionSkills Health and Safety Test
• Underpinning knowledge and understanding through the CPCS Theory Test
• Operating ability through the CPCS Practical test

Competent Operator Card (blue) - a five year card which is renewable for those who have demonstrated a level of;

• Health and Safety awareness through the ConstructionSkills Health and Safety Test
• Underpinning knowledge and understanding through the CPCS Theory Test
• Operating ability through the CPCS Practical test
• Proven operating competance through achievement of a relevant SVQ or NVQ

The main difference between the two training routes is that the blue card route requires you to have an NVQ before you can apply to go directly through that route. The red card however has no requirement for a NVQ at the begining to obtain the card, however a NVQ is needed to progress to the blue card that can be renewed every five years. To do this you need to;

• Health and safety test
• CPCS Theory test renewal
• Practical Renewal test or an on site assessment with a log book to confirm experience

 Below is a disgram of the inital enterance route and progression/renewal procedure;

We can provide a number of plant categories under the CPCS scheme. Please have a look in our training section for a full list of plant courses available. For more information or to make a course booking please contact us on 02892639459 or info@bsdtraining.com