Training course durations updated to ensure safer plant operations

CITB is continuing its commitment to standardising plant training across the construction industry with the update of training course durations from December 11, 2024.

A series of new plant training standards and grants were piloted from July 2023, representing a significant change in the way that plant training and testing is delivered, streamlining the system and making grants more accessible.

The new standards were developed in collaboration with industry working groups, consisting of employers, training providers and federations. Following further consultation, training course durations have been updated and refined (see table below) to better reflect the content of the new standards.

The changes will ensure employers see a return on their investment by producing competent, work-ready plant operators, who have received training from experts, including learning on new technologies and the eco operation of plant.

Alasdair Reisner, Chair of the Plant Sector Representative Organisation (PSRO) and CEO of CECA, said:

“The PSRO - consisting of seven major construction plant-user federations – was set up by employers and their representative bodies to drive consistency for operational standards and certification through card schemes. The PSRO has worked with CITB throughout the process of developing these new training standards and supports their use within the construction sector.”

Christopher Simpson, Head of Quality and Standards at CITB, said:

“These changes will help standardise and improve the quality and consistency of plant training; increase the amount of plant training that takes place before testing; and increase the number of people trained in plant operations, particularly new entrants to construction.”