How to get a Red CPCS Trained Operator Card

CPCS is a scheme that is run by the NONC group in the UK to promote the safety rules and regulations in the construction industry. It was launched in 2003 with an initiative of providing the skilled workers with a CPCS card that gives the proof of their working abilities.

For a person to work in a construction company in the UK, it is important to possess the CPCS card. The card is a license of the majority of construction companies nationwide. It sets the high standards for the testing, safety, and health of the workers in construction work. A CPCS cardholder will be professionally trained and is capable of performing the tasks in an appropriate manner. The training centres are professionally set up to deliver the best courses in the on the plant machinery available in the market.

Under the CPCS schemes there are two kinds of the card issued:

• Red CPCS card: The Red card is the trained operator card which is non-renewable.
• Blue CPCS card: The blue card is the competent operator card and is renewable.

The red trained operator card is the certification given to show that the employers you are having in your team have undergone all the training and technical skills required for the operation of a particular category of the plant on the construction site. It permits you to work in a carded area of the worksite. Red CPCS card holders are expected to work under the guidance of a manager or an experienced plant operator.

To get a CPCS card you have to follow the following steps:

• Take the necessary training required to bring up to the standards that will enable you to qualify the CPCS technical test. These training are usually delivered by trainers.
• Relevant CITB Health, safety, and environment test should be qualified.
• Within a time interval of 2 years of CITB Health, safety and environment test, you should achieve the CPCS theory test.
• Within a time interval of 6 months of CPCS theory test and 2 months of CITB Health, safety, and environment test, you should achieve the CPCS practical test.

Both of the tests are delivered by an accredited CPCS test centre. Once you qualify the CPCS theory test, CPCS test centre will request for a Red trainer card on your behalf.

The red trainer card is issued for a time-period of 2 years and is non-renewable. You will have to upgrade to the Blue competent operator card that comes with a validity of 5 years and can be renewed easily by following the simple renewal process. Red trained operator card can be renewed only once.

Blue Competent operator card is issued only when you are already having the Red trainer card. After that, you will have to qualify the relevant SVQ or NVQ in order to upgrade to the Blue CPCS card.

A Red CPCS card will certify you as a core and skilled worker in the construction workplace.