The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS)

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The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) provides a single skills card for the plant sector of the Construction Industry. It was launched in 2003, since when over 280,000 cards have been issued across 60 categories of plant and machinery.

However, the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) Management Committee became increasingly aware of the need to review the Scheme in light of Industry feedback. This view was reinforced by a number of external factors such as the Construction and Design Management regulations, the findings of the Leitch Report (a review of the UK's long term skills needs), latest occupational health issues, and technology advances.

A review was therefore started in 2007 with the remit of ensuring that the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) met Industry's requirements, with robust standards that could be independently assessed, whilst being simple to understand.

As a result of the consultation, steps were implemented to ensure that the revised Scheme truly reflected Industry needs. The outcome is hoped to have provided an improved Scheme, simpler to understand whilst maintaining the strong standards that have defined it since 2003.

The revised Construction Plant Competence Scheme is now supported by a new core element, the CPCS Technical Test, which will be delivered by CPCS Testers working through CPCS Test Centres. The Technical Test will ensure independent assessment of an individual’s operating ability and their underpinning knowledge both on entry to the Scheme and at the point of renewal. It will also enable us to maintain and improve the quality and robustness of the Scheme.

Of all the changes being implemented, it is very important to note the introduction of sanctions within the new Test Centre agreement. These sanctions relate to the management and delivery of the CPCS Technical Test. They have been put into the Scheme to give clarity to everyone involved in the Scheme and to support the standards and delivery.

Throughout the review, focus was maintained on ensuring that the Construction Plant Competence Scheme is centered on the principles of independent assessment of operating ability and competence, and the raising of standards expected in the plant sector.

What are the aims of CPCS

keep a record of workers in the construction and allied industries who have achieved
a recognised level of operating ability and competence, and to provide a means of
identification
raise health and safety standards through a programme of Health & Safety Testing to prove workers have met minimum standards
encourage construction and allied employers to use certificated skilled workers,
provide certification for UK workers that could be accepted in Europe through
agreements with other European national schemes to mutually recognise
qualifications
be self-financing; with any surplus funds being used for the benefit of the
construction industry.

What are the benefits of CPCS

The Scheme aims to provide the following benefits to individuals:

recognition of skills, competence and qualifications
improved health and safety awareness
improved employment prospects
provision of training standards to equip individuals with relevant skills to enter the
industry.

The Scheme aims to provide the following benefits to employers:

identification of operatives with recognised skills, competence and qualifications
better quality of work
improved health and safety awareness amongst the workforce
provision of training standards to equip individuals with relevant skills to enter the
industry
a move to a qualified and carded workforce, which will help to improve customer
satisfaction and the industry’s image