Understanding CPCS Training: What It Is and Who Needs It?

What Is CPCS?

Planning a career in construction? A good understanding of the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) and its associated courses will help you get ahead. But what is CPCS training? CPCS is a widely recognised, card-based certification programme for plant operators in the UK that was first introduced in 2003. It was developed to improve safety standards and ensure consistent training across the construction industry. Since launch, over 300,000 cards have been issued to workers in a range of categories.

Employers often prefer CPCS certification as it demonstrates a reliable, quantifiable level of expertise. It assesses workers in practical skills and theoretical knowledge, showing they can handle plant machinery safely and competently. Read on to discover much more about what CPCS training is with the experts at Total Construction Training.

Is CPCS better than CSCS?

CPCS and CSCS may be very similar acronyms, and they are both UK certification programmes used widely by the UK construction industry. But it’s important to understand their different purposes, and that they’re not interchangeable. Competent construction workers will need a CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card to show general competency across basic health, safety and site knowledge.

CPCS is more of a role-specific scheme that’s designed for those operating plant machinery. While both schemes promote safer working environments, CPCS involves more rigorous practical and theory testing. Think of it this way: you need a CSCS card to get on site, but you need specific CPCS cards for machinery-based roles.

What Is Covered in CPCS Training?

Here at Total Construction Training, we live up to our name with a vast range of courses across several different disciplines, including cranes and specialist lifting, earthmoving and transporting, forklift and tele handling and processing and compacting equipment. Each course is individually numbered. Just some of the common courses we provide at our dedicated training centres in the Midlands, and through a network of CPCS test centres across the UK, include:

• Excavators: A12, A58, A59 (180 and 360 machines, both above and below 10t)
• Dumpers: A09 Forward Tipping Dumper, A23 Skid Steer, A56 Rear Tipping Dumper
• Cranes and Lifting: A60 Mobile Crane, A61 Appointed Person, A62 Crane Supervisor
• Forklifts and Handlers: A14 Rough Terrain, A16 Industrial Forklift, A17 Telehandler
• Specialist Roles: A40 Slinger Signaller, A73 Plant & Vehicle Marshaller, A20 Hoist
• Processing Equipment: A42 Crusher, A43 Screener, A31 Ride on Roller

All our courses are delivered by fully accredited instructors and align with current regulations and industry best practice. We understand how important these cards are for our clients and pride ourselves on our speed. Course results are emailed the following day, accompanied by an achievement letter or feedback if a course isn’t passed, with certificates sent out as soon as we receive them from the awarding bodies.

How much does CPCS training cost? Explore our course range for more details, including course dates and durations, and book right here online by registering with us.

Why Is It Important to Become CPCS Trained?

CPCS training shows a level of competence in a specialist field that construction companies and site managers look for; many major contractors require CPCS cards as standard. Not only do they show your initiative in getting qualified for your specific cards, they also show a general commitment to safe, skilled and professional working that’s essential on a modern site.

It shows your potential employers that you meet industry-recognised standards, significantly improving your chances of being selected for jobs and progressing to more advanced roles. Whether you’re just starting or are upskilling, CPCS training can open doors, boost your earning potential and help you build a more secure, long-term future in construction.

Who Can Benefit From Learning More?

CPCS training is for anyone who operates, supervises or works around plant machinery on construction sites, and wants to work safely and to the best of their abilities. This can include plant operators, machine drivers, lift supervisors, slinger signallers and site managers looking to expand their capabilities and qualifications, and those of their team.

CPCS cards are a recognised benchmark across the construction sector in the UK, from housebuilding and industrial construction to infrastructure and civil engineering. If you’re already asking, ‘What is CPCS training?’ and ‘How much does CPCS training cost?’, then it will very likely benefit you in accessing better roles and giving you skills that matter in modern construction.

How Long Do the Courses Take to Complete?

Courses will vary in length depending on their individual requirements, but all the info you need can be found on our CPCS plant training page. For example, our plant and vehicle marshaller (CPCS A73) course lasts three days, while our appointed person training (CPCS A61) lasts five days. You can view dates, info on the examination board and assessment materials on each course page too.

Start Your Journey with Total Construction Training

Whichever skill you want to improve, our courses are here to ensure you get the CPCS qualification you need. With regular courses located across the UK, all at competitive prices and with knowledgeable and experienced trainers, we can help you on your way to the next stage of your construction career. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions, and we’ll put your mind at rest and point you in the right direction.