CPCS Appointed Person Course Overview
The CPCS A61 Appointed Person Training Course is for people who plan and manage lifting operations. This course will teach you to meet legal requirements and keep everyone safe. The course includes practice exercises and allows you to apply your knowledge, including planning lifts and understanding safety standards and regulations.
The Appointed Person course comes in two levels: Foundation and Experienced Worker, to match different experience levels. You need at least two years of experience in the role to join the Experienced Worker course. After completing the course, you will know how to safely plan lifting operations for mobile cranes on a busy construction site.
To take any CPCS test, you must have passed the CSCS Health, Safety, and Environment touchscreen test for Operatives in the last two years.
CPCS Course Entry Requirements
To complete your registration, please provide:
- Your current CSCS Card Number
- Your National Insurance Number
- Your Date of Birth
- Your Home Address
You must also complete a valid CITB Health, Safety, and Environment Touch Screen Test within the last two years. A good understanding of English, both written and spoken, is necessary.
What Will You Learn
- Legislation & Codes of Practice (BS 7121)
- Roles & Responsibilities of Lifting Operations Personnel
- Duties of the Appointed Person
- Thorough Examination & Certification
- Selection of Cranes
- Lifting Capacity & Duties Charts
- Crane Positioning & Configuration
- Selection & Use of Lifting Accessories
- Methods of Communication
- Carrying Out a Risk Assessment
- Preparing a Method Statement
- Crane Plan & Elevation Drawings
Course Assessment and Certification
Candidates will take both practical and written tests. After successfully passing these tests, they will receive a CPCS Red Trained Operator Card, valid for 2 years.
Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS)
The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS), established in 2003, promotes safe and standardised working practices within the plant sector. CPCS training courses teach learners the necessary skills and knowledge to operate plant machinery safely and effectively according to UK health and safety regulations.
CPCS Card Categories
CPCS Red Trained Operator Card: This is issued after initial CPCS training.
CPCS Blue Competent Operative Card Card: To upgrade from a Red Card to a Blue Card, candidates must complete a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) relevant to their category. NVQs are available for:
How to Obtain a CPCS Card
The CPCS scheme comprises three stages, and Hurak Learning can assist you throughout the process:
1. Red Trained Operator Card: This card confirms core skills, knowledge, and understanding applicable in the workplace. It is awarded upon completing the CPCS Theory and Practical Technical Tests at an accredited test centre.
Candidates must also have passed the CITB Health, Safety, and Environment Test within the last two years. The Red Card is valid for two years and is non-renewable. To upgrade to a Blue Card, candidates must complete the relevant NVQ within this period.
2. Blue Competent Operator Card: To obtain this card, you must upgrade from the Red Card by completing the appropriate NVQ in Plant Operations through the On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) method at your workplace. An assessor will visit you several times to collect evidence of your experience. After reviewing the evidence, your Blue Card will be issued and valid for five years.
3. National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs): NVQs are competence-based qualifications achieved in the workplace. They assess your ability to perform a job safely and effectively. To complete an NVQ, candidates must submit work-based evidence and undergo an assessment by observation with an assessor.
