BAM Construction Training Ltd

Qualification schemes exist in the UK construction industry to assess and verify the competence of plant operators. Two widely recognised schemes include:

CPCS – Construction Plant Competence Scheme.

NPORS – National Plant Operators Registration Scheme.

With two to choose from, it can be tough to decide which scheme is best for you.

That’s why we’ve outlined the 3 Key Differences Between CPCS and NPORS.

1.Recognition
In the past, CPCS was seen as the only choice when it came to getting your plant qualifications. This was because most, if not all, employers required workers to hold a valid CPCS card to gain access on-site.

However, in recent years, NPORS has gained significantly more recognition in the construction industry. Nowadays, it’s less common to come across a construction site that doesn’t recognise NPORS qualifications.

2.Cost
NPORS courses generally work out cheaper for large groups of workers looking to get certified. Whereas CPCS courses can work out cheaper if you are just looking to get yourself or a small team of workers certified.

NPORS courses are priced based on day rate charges. This means that the more candidates that you book onto a course, the more you’ll get for your money! However, other charges may apply, such as mileage and registration fees.

On the other hand, CPCS courses are simply priced based on the cost of the course and the number of candidates that you book. Unlike NPORS, this price is often all-inclusive, unless the centre must hire in plant machinery for you.

3.Location
CPCS courses must take place at an accredited CPCS test centre. If you’re lucky enough to find a centre nearby, great! They’ll have the correct facilities waiting there for you. However, this isn’t convenient for everyone.

That’s where NPORS comes in. NPORS courses can take place on-site if you have one. This can reduce travel time and allow you to complete the course using plant machinery that you are already familiar with.

Bonus:
CPCS and NPORS cards both last for the same amount of time. Basic cards last for 2 years, while higher-level cards last for 5 years.

In conclusion, CPCS and NPORS are both widely recognised schemes that help workers become qualified plant operators. Your choice between CPCS and NPORS will ultimately depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Here at BAM Construction Training, we offer both CPCS and NPORS courses. No matter what scheme you decide is best, we’re here to help you get qualified.

Still not sure which to choose? Get in touch with us today for expert advice.

As you may or may not know, as of 31st of July, CITB has introduced updates to their Plant Standards and Grants for 8 categories of plant:

1. Dump Truck (Articulated)
2. Excavator 360 (Above 10 Tonnes)
3. Forward Tipping Dumper
4. Industrial Counterbalance Forklift
5. Plant and Vehicle Marshaller
6. Ride on Roller
7. Slinger/Signaller
8. Telescopic Handler

What does this mean?
This means that, in order to claim any grant back for the above categories, training centres must deliver these courses to the new standards. What this means is that training centres will need to adjust the delivery of their ‘Novice’ and ‘Experienced’ versions of these courses in order to achieve the new criteria.

No need to panic – we are still keeping our current offering available to clients.
This just means that, in addition to our open courses, we will now be offering Levy-compliant courses for larger companies looking to claim back fees for training.

How will the new courses differ from the old ones?
For the most part, these changes mean that courses will need to be longer, meaning that the cost will increase. On top of that, employers will face additional wage costs to complete training and potential delays to their programme.

As these ‘Grant Eligible’ options are to be closed courses, we will charge out at a set fee, assuming you will take advantage of the maximum number of delegates, for a bespoke course at dates that are convenient for the booker. This differs from our ‘open courses’ where costs are charged per person, and you can allocate employees to an upcoming course date that we have predetermined.

Cost analysis – is it worth it?
There are some courses that benefit from these changes, largely due to the increased economies of scale, assuming that the maximum number of delegates are being booked. However, there are also some ‘Grant Eligible’ courses which are not commercially advisable.

Whilst the increased duration of the course may improve the individual's operating ability, some will cost more than our current offering – even when factoring in the grant money that you could claim back on completion. In the case where an organisation decides that they are prepared to sacrifice the grant, we would recommend booking them onto an Open CPCS Course which will be delivered quicker, cheaper and will achieve the same result.

Comments from our founder:
"These changes have finally been released after a lot of back and forth with the industry. There is clearly some good intention here, attempting to standardise training and holding providers accountable for the way that they deliver these courses. However, they have not run these proposed changes through a commercial training provider to assess the financial viability.

We are happy to deliver the new ‘Grant Eligible’ courses and set up bespoke courses, but we anticipate that uptake will be minimal, with only the largest employers considering it worthwhile. Over the next 6-12 month period CITB will review this closely. My prediction is that CITB will realise that the number of companies claiming grants for these categories is reducing, acknowledge that there is an increase in unclaimed grants and look at reviewing the standards – hopefully with involvement from commercial training providers this time.

We hope that this update helps employers and other training providers alike."

Matt Durant, Managing Director

What is a CPCS Qualification?
CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) is the most widely recognised qualification scheme for plant operators in the UK. CPCS qualifications, which are awarded in the form of cards, are designed to prove that workers have the necessary training to safely operate specific types of construction machinery.

Is CPCS Training a Legal Requirement?
While CPCS training isn’t a legal requirement, employers are required to ensure that employees can safely carry out their roles – this is in order to comply with health & safety laws and legislation. Because of this, most construction sites require workers to hold the relevant CPCS qualifications before employment.

How do I get a CPCS Card?
To earn a CPCS Red (Trained Operator) Card, operators must pass:

- Relevant CPCS Theory Test
- Relevant CPCS Practical Test
- Relevant CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test

At BAMCT, we offer a range of CPCS training courses to help you prepare for your theory and practical tests. We also accommodate the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test at our Wokingham training centre, which you can book here.

What are CPCS Categories?
CPCS categories cover the wide range of roles that workers may have. There are over 60+ CPCS categories to choose from, which cover machine operating (e.g. diggers and tractors) and other roles such as slinging and vehicle marshalling.

How Long is a CPCS Training Course?
The duration of CPCS training courses may vary depending on the training centre, CPCS category, and whether you are a novice or experienced worker. At BAMCT, all our CPCS training courses run from 2 – 10 days, which includes CPCS testing.

How Much Does CPCS Training Cost?
The cost of CPCS training courses may vary depending on the training centre, CPCS category, and whether you are a novice or experienced worker. Although experienced worker training is often cheaper, it’s also shorter in duration – to get the most out of your training, be sure to book based on your experience level.

Can You Get Funding for CPCS Training?
CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) provide a range of grant and funding schemes to businesses to help contribute towards the costs of training and development. This includes all recognised qualifications such as short courses, qualifications and apprenticeships. Find out more about CITB grants here.

How Many Questions Are on the CPCS Test?
Depending on the CPCS category chosen, the number of CPCS theory test questions will vary. At BAMCT, we provide theory training as part of every CPCS training course, to help you best prepare for your CPCS theory testing.

What’s the Difference Between Red and Blue CPCS Cards?
CPCS Red (Trained Operator) Cards last for 2 years and are issued to those who pass the relevant CPCS theory and practical tests. After this, workers can apply for a CPCS Blue (Competent Operator) Card which lasts 5 years. Those that want to upgrade, must complete the relevant Level 2 Construction NVQ. At BAMCT, we offer a range of different construction-based NVQs, which you can browse here.

Is CPCS better than NPORS?
Just like CPCS, NPORS is a qualification scheme designed to prove the skills of plant operators in the UK. There’s an ongoing debate on whether CPCS or NPORS is better – however, there’s no straightforward answer. When choosing between the two schemes, you should consider which will best suit your specific requirements. Learn about the main differences between CPCS and NPORS and decide which is best for you, with help from our previous article ‘CPCS vs NPORS: Which is best?’.

As of July 2023, we’re thrilled to announce the 10-year anniversary of BAM Construction Training.

Over the past decade, we’ve dedicated ourselves to delivering the highest quality plant training – providing candidates with the skills & knowledge necessary to achieve their qualifications and thrive within a career in construction.

During this time, we’re grateful for the opportunity to have worked with a variety of businesses and individuals. This ranges from well-established companies, such as Balfour Beatty and Royal BAM Group, to local businesses in Berkshire.

“I’m very excited about the future of BAM CT. 10 years in and every day is still as refreshing and exciting as it’s always been. It’s been a fantastic journey so far and I’m excited for the opportunities that lie ahead.” – Matt Durant, Managing Director

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey so far, we look forward to many more years of helping you get the training that you need.

Best wishes,

All the team at BAM CT