CPCS
Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) - a card scheme to prove the skills of plant operators.
The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) provides a single skills card for the plant sector of the Construction Industry.
It was launched in 2003 at the request of employers, to help them comply with regulations and requirements, and aims to apply common standards for all plant operators.
CPCS is the industry’s largest scheme for plant operators with over 280,000 cards issued,
across over 60 categories of plant and machinery and is recognised by both the Major Contractors Group (MCG) and Major House Builders Group (MHBG) as the preferred card to comply with codes of practice for competence and certification.
Scheme membership is confirmed through the issue of a registration card. The cards
available within the CPCS Scheme for Operators are:
Trained Operator card (red) is a two year Trained Operator card that is not renewable for those who have demonstrated a level of:
• health and safety awareness through the ConstructionSkills Health & Safety Test, and
• underpinning knowledge and understanding through the CPCS Theory Test, and
• operating ability through the CPCS Practical Test, but
• have yet to prove operating competence through achievement of the relevant NVQ.
Competent Operator card (blue) is a five year card which is renewable for those who have demonstrated a level of:
• health and safety awareness through the ConstructionSkills Health & Safety Test, and
• underpinning knowledge and understanding through the CPCS Theory Test, and
• operating ability through the CPCS Practical Test, and
• have proven operating competence through achievement of the relevant NVQ.
