Career Development Loan 
The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS)
CPCS was launched in 2003 as the single card scheme for the plant industry. As the replacement to the CTA scheme, it is the main standard for plant operators. It proves you have the qualifications, experience and have passed the Health and Safety Test - essential for operating plant safely.
The Benefits
Increasingly, clients and employers are demanding proof of competence from all operators on their sites. The CPCS card proves to employers that you have both the skills and practical experience to do the job effectively. Getting a CPCS card is simple, and once you have yours, getting access to work on construction sites will be easier.
The card scheme really helps employers, too. It means they can be sure that workers on their site have the qualifications and experience to do a quality job. It also means their sites will be safer because everyone has an understanding of health and safety issues.
How to get a Red (trained plant operator) card
- Undertake any required training and pass the operator test
- Pass the Health and Safety Test
- Receive CPCS red (trained plant operator) card and logbook
The first step towards your red card is to pass the Intermediate Certificate operator test. You can do this through an accredited training provider. When combined with a CITB - Construction Skills Health and Safety Test pass, you can apply for your red card which enables you to operate plant machinery on site. The red card is valid for three years and is issued only once. In this time, you must complete your qualification and gain experience to qualify for a blue or green (competence) card.
How to get a Blue/Green (competence) card
- Achieve N/SVQ level 2 or relevant N/SVQ units in specialised plant machinery operations
- Record 300 hours minimum per category in your logbook
- Have your logbook and competency signed off by your employer
- Pass the Health and Safety Test
- Receive CPCS blue/green (full competence) card
Once you have gained a red (trained plant operator) card, you can then start working towards your blue or green (competence) card. To get a blue card you must pass an NVQ or SVQ and log 300 hours operating experience in a chosen category. Some categories don't have full N/SVQ's available. For these categories, an accredited CPCS training provider will assess you against the relevant NVQ or SVQ units to qualify you for the green card.
How to add more categories
You can add as many categories as you like. You'll need to pass the operator test, carry out further training and log 300 hours for that category before it can be added to your blue or green card. Your CPCS accredited training provider will be able to guide you through the process.
There are many different types of plant machinery, such as 180° excavators and tower cranes, each needing different skills to operate. The scheme has been divided into categories so you can show which plant you can operate.
The Card
The CPCS card is easy to understand. Each card carries an expiry date on the front and lists the plant categories the holder is qualified to operate on the back.
There are three different colours of card available: The red card proves the holder is a 'trained plant operator' having passed the Intermediate Certificate and Health and Safety Test. The blue and green 'competence' cards show the operator is trained, experienced and has passed the Health and Safety Test.
The Logbook
When you get your card, you'll also receive a logbook. This helps you keep track of the experience you have gained in each category, which is necessary to qualify for or renew a 'competence' card. It also helps you prove your experience to an employer.
N/SVQ - prove your skills
NVQ's and SVQ's are work based qualifications that are:
- Recognised throughout the UK
- Practical - based on what you can do, not what you learn in a classroom
How to renew a card
To ensure you stay up to date with your operating skills and health and safety knowledge, the card only lasts five years. To renew, you must re-take and pass the Health and Safety Test and prove you have logged 300 operating hours per category over the life of the card.
Remember, 300 hours is only five hours a month over the five year life of the card. If you are unable to record the 300 hours, you will be able to take a site-assessment in it's place.