Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card

CPCS stands for the Construction Plant Competence Scheme- a card scheme designed to prove the skills of plant operatives. It is run by the Construction Industry Training Board also known as CITB.

It depends on what line of work you work in. If you work in the construction industry, you'll generally need a CSCS card to get on site. However, if your job is to operate plant on construction sites, you will be better getting a CPCS card, provided through the Construction Plant Competence Scheme.

CSCS does not issue cards to workers in the plant sector. Instead, CSCS is partnered with a number of card schemes which provide their own skills certification cards.

An NVQ is a work-based award that is achieved through assessment and training. Your Assessor will assist you to create a portfolio specific to the category of plant that you’re skilled in. If you hold an existing Red Card upon completion it will automatically be upgraded into a CPCS Blue Card.

The Red Trained Operator Card shows that you have been tested to CPCS standards.

The Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card shows your competency in the role.

If you are working in construction in the UK then most probably yes. UKCG insist that operatives working on their sites must hold a CPCS card. Many other employers are also demanding the same requiring their employees to hold relevant cards to prove their skills.

To get a Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card you must:

hold a CPCS Red Trained Operator Card for the category which is within 12 months of expiry date.

pass the relevant CITB health, safety and environment test within the last two years.

achieve an SVQ or NVQ, with the appropriate units relevant to the category.

The Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card lasts for 5 years and can easily be renewed with a simple renewal test.

To renew your Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card you must:

hold a Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card for the category which is within five years of expiry date

pass the relevant CITB health, safety and environment test within the last two years

pass the CPCS Renewal test for each category held*

demonstrated on-going practical operating experience through a choice of routes:

Logbook

On-Site Assessment

CPCS Practical test

SVQ or NVQ

Some operators can apply for a Blue CPCS card without having a Red CPCS card. If this is the case for you, then you must have earned either an NVQ or SVQ relevant to the category of card for which you are applying for.

In addition to that you must pass the CPCS Technical Tests in the related category of CPCS Course:

CPCS Theory Test (within 2 years of passing the HS&E Test)

CPCS Practical Test (within 6 months of passing the Technical Test and within 2 years of passing the HS&E Test).

There is no higher level of CPCS card available then the Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card, but operators can improve their skills and career prospects by adding more endorsements and/or categories to their existing cards. This would require earning more relevant NVQs or SVQs, and taking the relevant HS&E and Technical Tests.