Why choose our excavator courses?
We are a company with many years of experience in excavator training. As Construction and Plant Training Services, we guarantee you the opportunity to obtain certifications that qualify you to work as an digger operator across a variety of sectors including construction, transportation, and industrial services. In addition, our extensive network of contacts within the construction industry often enables us to provide our trainees with access to current job opportunities upon successful completion of the exam.
What is a 360 Excavator Training Course?
Our 360 excavator course is designed to provide you with the practical skills, industry knowledge, and self-assurance needed to operate a 360-degree excavator safely and in accordance with CPCS standards. A 360 digger is a robust piece of construction equipment featuring a fully rotating platform, along with a boom, dipper, bucket, and cab. Available in both wheeled and tracked models, these machines are indispensable on construction sites for tasks such as material handling, trenching, and foundation digging.
Why Pursue a 360 Excavator Certification?
Certification as a 360 digger operator is highly valued across the UK construction industry. On average, skilled operators earn around £32,000 per year, and holding a CPCS Red Card can greatly enhance your career prospects. By completing our in-depth training programme, you position yourself to work more safely, efficiently, and competitively on any construction site.
360 Excavator Course Details
- Duration: Generally 1 to 5 days, depending on your previous experience and the specific machine category.
- Certification: We offer CPCS-approved course for both wheeled and tracked excavators, catering to machines under and over 10 tonnes.
- Outcome: Successful completion of the course qualifies you for the CPCS Red Card, a credential recognised across the entire construction industry.
Our excavator training courses
Below you can see all types of courses for the different types of excavators available at our training centre.
Didn’t find the course you were looking for? Contact us now!
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What Skills Will You Acquire with our excavator training?
Throughout this course, you will actively build the essential skills needed for safe and efficient excavator operation. Let’s explore what you’ll learn at our excavator training courses:
Legislation & Industry Standards
First, you will dive into the legal framework and industry codes that govern digger operations. In doing so, you ensure you always operate within the correct guidelines.Roles & Responsibilities
Next, you will discover the core duties of an effective operator. You will learn how to maintain a safe work environment while carrying out your tasks.Machine Structure & Controls
Then, you will get hands-on with the excavator’s main components and controls. Along the way, you will pick up the correct terminology, which helps you handle the equipment efficiently.Pre-use Inspections & Maintenance
Moreover, you will master the steps for start-up checks, routine inspections, and proper shutdowns. This active approach keeps your machinery in top shape.Safe Operation in Challenging Conditions
In addition, you will develop techniques to manoeuvre the excavator on uneven, sloped, or confined terrains. You will also learn how to adapt your skills for various surface conditions.Excavation & Material Handling
Furthermore, you will gain practical experience in tasks like trenching, foundation digging, grading, spreading, and levelling. This hands-on practice ensures you can manage a range of excavation challenges.Use of Ancillary Equipment
Additionally, you will explore how to install and operate extra attachments. This knowledge expands your excavator’s versatility on the job.Hazard Identification
Finally, you will learn to spot common on-site hazards, such as underground services and overhead obstructions. You will also develop strategies to work safely around these potential dangers.
Digger Course Completion and Certification
At the end of your training, you’ll tackle both theory and hands-on assessments. Nail those tests, and you’ll snag the CPCS Trained Operator (Red) Card, good for two years. This badge is your launchpad to full accreditation. With more on-site experience and passing the NVQ Level 2, you can elevate to the CPCS Competent Operator (Blue) Card, turbocharging your qualifications and career prospects.
Why Train With Us for Your 360 Excavator Certification?
Expert Instruction
Benefit from our team of CPCS-accredited instructors, each with extensive industry experience and a commitment to your success.State-of-the-Art Equipment
Train on modern machinery that mirrors real-world working conditions.Flexible Training Options
Our courses are designed to accommodate varying levels of experience, ensuring you receive the most efficient and effective course.Comprehensive Support
From your initial enquiry through to post-certification career guidance, we are dedicated to supporting your professional journey.Industry Recognition
Earning a CPCS Red or Blue Card through our programme significantly enhances your credibility and employability in the construction sector.
Are You Ready to Begin Your 360 Excavator Training?
If you’re truly ready to boost your career, why not get in touch with us today? First, let’s talk about the available courses and pricing. Next, we can explore how our tailored training programme will help you achieve your personal career goals. Along the way, our friendly team will answer any questions you might have and support you at every stage of the certification process. So, why delay? Reach out now and begin your journey toward a more fulfilling and higher-earning career in construction. For those who want to diversify their skills, our CPCS Dumper training course offers the certification to operate dumpers on site. Book Your excavator training today!
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Excavator training in the UK. The questions that matter before you book
You have already seen the main excavator courses, the skills covered during training and the local course guides higher on this page. The next step is more practical. What does an excavator licence actually mean in the UK? How do you choose between CPCS and NPORS? How long can 360 excavator training take? What changes the price? Can an employer claim CITB grant?
These questions matter because two people searching for the same 360 digger course may need very different training routes. One candidate may be completely new to plant. Another may already operate the correct machine and need an experienced route. A third may need lifting duties, a different endorsement or an employer site arrangement.
Therefore, do not begin with the shortest course or the cheapest headline figure. Begin with the excavator, the work and the card requirement.
Excavator licence, digger ticket and CPCS card. What do they actually mean?
Searches such as excavator licence UK, digger licence UK, digger ticket and excavator ticket UK are completely understandable. They are also easy to misinterpret.
Do you legally need a government excavator licence?
No government issued workplace transport licence exists for operating mobile plant in the workplace. The Health and Safety Executive explains that the law requires employers to provide adequate training so operators are competent to use the machinery they operate. This duty sits within the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
In everyday site language, a digger ticket often means an industry card or recognised operator credential. CPCS and NPORS are widely used plant schemes, but a card is not a substitute for the employer deciding that somebody is competent and authorised for the particular machine and work.
Think of a plant card as evidence within a wider competence system rather than a universal driving licence. Training, assessment, experience, machine familiarisation, site controls and employer authorisation still matter.
How do you get a digger ticket in the UK through CPCS?
Identify the correct excavator category
Confirm the machine type, operating weight, tracked or wheeled configuration and whether lifting operations form part of the job.
Pass the relevant Health, Safety and Environment Test
NOCN Job Cards currently requires the relevant Health, Safety and Environment Test to have been passed within the applicable two year period for the Red Trained Operator Card route.
Pass the CPCS Theory Test
The relevant theory test must be achieved within two years of the applicable Health, Safety and Environment Test.
Pass the CPCS Practical Test
The practical test must be achieved within six months of the theory test and within two years of the relevant Health, Safety and Environment Test.
Progress from trained operator towards competent operator status
The CPCS Red Trained Operator Card is the trained operator stage. The current CPCS route requires the relevant Vocational Qualification for progression to the Blue Competent Operator Card. Read our CPCS card guide for the wider card process.
Not sure what digger ticket your job actually requires?
Tell us the excavator make and model if known, operating weight, tracked or wheeled configuration, lifting duties, your experience and the card requested by your employer or site.
How to choose the right excavator training route
The main course tiles higher on this page show the excavator training available from CPTS. The table below does something different. It helps you work backwards from the machine and task.
360 excavator below 10 tonnes
CPCS identifies A58 as Excavator 360 below 10 tonnes. Check the exact machine specification and the endorsement required rather than judging the category by appearance.
360 excavator above 10 tonnes
CPCS identifies A59 as Excavator 360 above 10 tonnes. If this is your route, continue to the dedicated CPCS A59 360 Excavator course.
NPORS Excavator 360
If the employer or site accepts the NPORS route, read the NPORS N202 Excavator 360 course. CPTS states that this course can also be delivered on suitable employer sites across the UK where the required machine, space and safe practical area are available.
Micro excavators and lifting work
Smaller plant or lifting duties can require a different route. Relevant CPTS pages include NPORS N016 Micro Excavator and NPORS N100 Excavator as a Crane.
A58 and A59 are not simply two names for the same CPCS course. Operating weight separates the main categories and the relevant tracked, wheeled and lifting requirements also need to be checked before booking.
Excavator course duration, prices and funding in the UK
How long does 360 excavator training take?
There is no reliable universal duration for every candidate. Current CPCS training standards use defined novice and experienced routes, candidate ratios and machine ratios.
For one candidate, one trainer and one machine, the current CPCS standard gives a minimum of 49 hours over 7 days for the novice route and 14 hours over 2 days for the experienced route, including assessment time.
For one candidate, one trainer and one machine, the current CPCS standard also gives a minimum of 49 hours over 7 days for the novice route and 14 hours over 2 days for the experienced route, including assessment time.
Those figures are useful because they show why a course duration should never be guessed from the size of the excavator alone. Candidate numbers and machine ratios can also change the minimum duration. The experienced route requires documented profiling of the candidate's existing knowledge and skills.
An experienced course should not be selected simply because it is shorter. The route needs to reflect what the candidate can already demonstrate on the relevant category of plant.
How much does excavator training cost in the UK?
Search for 360 excavator training prices UK, digger course cost, digger licence cost or excavator course price and the figures can vary considerably. Often the comparison is not like for like.
- Novice and experienced candidates may require different training durations.
- CPCS and NPORS routes can involve different training, testing and card arrangements.
- The excavator category and endorsements can change what is required.
- Candidate numbers and available machines can affect delivery arrangements.
- Centre based and eligible employer site delivery should be compared on the complete package.
Check the current CPTS training prices and describe your experience accurately when requesting a quotation.
Can 360 excavator training be free or funded?
Eligible CITB-registered employers may be able to claim grant support for certain excavator training routes where the training meets current CITB requirements.
A CITB grant is not the same as a free course and it is not a CPTS course price. Eligibility and the level of support depend on the exact plant category, the candidate's experience and the current CITB grant rules.
Because funding rules and grant rates can change, we recommend checking the current CITB guidance and contacting CPTS before booking. Our team can help you identify the appropriate excavator training route and confirm the current course price.
Want a price for the route you actually need?
Give us the machine category, your genuine operating experience, candidate numbers and required card. If you are enquiring for a business, tell us whether the employer is CITB registered.
Competence after training. What the operator still needs to get right
The course content higher on this page explains the operating skills trainees develop. There is another side to competence that deserves its own explanation. A machine operator works in changing conditions where judgement matters just as much as smooth control inputs.
HSE says employers must ensure operators are adequately trained and competent for the equipment they use. CPCS also distinguishes the trained operator stage from the competent operator stage. The current Blue Competent Operator Card confirms a higher competence stage and has a five year life.
Safety control lever and isolation devices
In 2025 HSE issued a specific safety notice after a fatal incident involving unintended excavator movement. HSE advises that where people may enter the operational arc while the machine is at rest, the safety control lever should be applied or another appropriate method used to isolate the machine.
Machine familiarisation
Moving to another excavator within the same broad category can still introduce different controls, safety devices, visibility, operating limits and attachments. A card does not remove the need for familiarisation with the actual machine.
Lifting operations
An excavator being physically capable of lifting an object does not make every proposed lift acceptable. The machine must be suitable, the manufacturer's requirements must be followed and the lifting operation needs to satisfy the applicable planning, supervision and equipment requirements.
Stop when the information no longer matches reality
Underground services, changing ground conditions, restricted visibility and defects can alter the risk picture quickly. Competent operation includes recognising when the planned method no longer fits the conditions and stopping so the work can be reassessed.
Excavator training for employers and groups
If you are arranging training for several operators, asking for “six digger tickets” is rarely enough information. A better enquiry separates the machine fleet, operator experience and contract requirement.
- List the excavator make, model and operating weight for each machine.
- Record whether each machine is tracked or wheeled and whether lifting duties are required.
- Separate complete beginners from operators with genuine experience on the relevant category.
- Check whether the client, principal contractor or site requires CPCS, NPORS or another route.
- Identify employees who already hold cards and may need another category, endorsement or progression route.
- If you want employer site delivery, explain the available machine, practical area, ground conditions and how the training area can be segregated.
Can NPORS excavator training be delivered on an employer site?
CPTS currently states that its NPORS N202 Excavator 360 course can be delivered on suitable employer sites across the UK where a suitable 360 excavator, enough space, safe ground conditions and an appropriate working area for training and assessment are available.
This gives employers a genuine UK wide delivery option for an eligible route without pretending that CPTS has a physical training centre in every city. The local city guides already listed higher on this page remain the correct place for location specific search intent.
Excavator training FAQ
These answers focus on the questions that are not fully resolved by the course tiles, skills section and city links already shown higher on this page.
Do I legally need an excavator licence in the UK?
No government issued workplace transport licence exists for operating mobile plant in the workplace. UK law requires employers to provide adequate training so operators are competent for the machinery they use. CPCS and NPORS cards are industry credentials rather than government driving licences.
How do I get a digger ticket in the UK through CPCS?
For the CPCS Red Trained Operator Card route, you need the relevant Health, Safety and Environment Test, the relevant CPCS Theory Test and the CPCS Practical Test for the correct plant category. The theory test must be achieved within two years of the Health, Safety and Environment Test. The practical test must be achieved within six months of the theory test and within two years of the Health, Safety and Environment Test.
What is the difference between CPCS A58 and A59?
CPCS A58 is Excavator 360 below 10 tonnes and CPCS A59 is Excavator 360 above 10 tonnes. The relevant machine configuration and lifting requirements also need to be checked before selecting the category and endorsement.
How long does 360 excavator training take?
Duration depends on the scheme, category, candidate experience, candidate numbers and machine ratios. Under the current CPCS A58A tracked and A59 tracked standards, one candidate with one trainer and one machine has a minimum of 49 hours over seven days for the novice route and 14 hours over two days for the experienced route, including assessment time.
How much does excavator training cost in the UK?
There is no single price for every excavator course. Cost can change with the scheme, machine category, candidate experience, course duration, testing requirements, number of candidates and delivery arrangements. Compare like with like and check what is included before booking.
Can 360 excavator training be free or funded?
CITB plant training grants may reduce the cost for eligible CITB registered employers where the training meets current grant conditions. A grant is not the same as a free course. Current grant rates depend on the plant training tier and whether the candidate follows a novice or experienced route.
Which is better for excavator training, CPCS or NPORS?
Neither scheme should be chosen by name alone. Check which scheme your employer, client or site accepts, then confirm that the category matches the excavator and duties you need to perform. If no scheme has been specified, discuss the intended machine and work before booking.
Do I need a UK driving licence to operate an excavator on a construction site?
A normal road driving licence is not the workplace competence system for operating plant away from public roads. The employer still has to ensure the operator is adequately trained and competent. Separate road traffic requirements can apply if the machine is used on a public highway.
Does a CPCS Red Card mean I am a competent operator who can work unsupervised?
The CPCS Red Card is the Trained Operator Card. The Blue Card is the Competent Operator Card and confirms a higher competence stage supported by the relevant Vocational Qualification. NOCN states that Blue Competent Operator cardholders have demonstrated the ability to work unsupervised.
Can an excavator be used for lifting?
Yes, where the machine is suitable for the planned lifting operation, the manufacturer permits the use, the applicable lifting points and load information are available, the required examination requirements are met and the lift is properly planned and carried out safely. Excavators are primarily earthmoving machines, so lifting duties need specific consideration.
Where can I find 360 excavator training near me?
Use the location guides already listed higher on this page for city specific information. CPTS has its main training base at Airfield Road, Wellingborough, NN29 7XA. For the NPORS N202 route, CPTS also states that suitable employer site training can be arranged across the UK where the required machine, space, ground conditions and practical training area are available.
What information should I provide when asking for an excavator training quote?
Provide the excavator make and model if known, operating weight, tracked or wheeled configuration, whether lifting forms part of the work, the scheme or card required, your genuine operating experience, candidate numbers and preferred delivery arrangement. This makes it much easier to identify the relevant course and price.
Official sources used for the technical information above
The following primary sources are useful if you want to verify the legal, CPCS and grant information.
Ready to choose the right excavator course?
You do not need to decode every CPCS and NPORS category alone. Tell CPTS what you need to operate, what work you will do and what experience you already have.