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News 09 May 2025

New plant training standards launching on June 18

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) continues to standardise plant training across the industry, with phase two of its new training standards launching on June 18, 2025.

CITB and industry representatives have been working together closely to introduce short-course training standards for plant categories that reflect the increased requirements and responsibilities for plant operators.

The changes will ensure employers see a return on their investment by producing competent, work-ready plant operators, who have received training from experts.

CITB offers several ways to help registered employers cover the cost of the standardised plant training. First, there are short course grants, which vary based on the plant category and experience level, ranging from £250 to £880. Alternatively, companies can book training through the Employer Networks, where CITB will pay a proportion of the course cost, leaving employers to pay the remaining balance.

To be eligible for CITB funding and grants for the plant categories listed below, the following rules apply:

  • All elements of the training and testing must align to the new training standard and to have taken place on or after June 18.
  • The training and testing must have been carried out by an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) which is approved to deliver the new training standards.
  • The training needs to lead to a card carrying the CSCS logo.
  • The achievement needs to be uploaded by the relevant ATO.

Previous training and test grants for these categories of plant will no longer be available for achievements awarded on or after June 18.

Phase two standards will cover:

  • Excavator 360 Below 10 Tonnes: Tracked Training
  • Excavator 360 Above 10 Tonnes: Wheeled Training
  • Excavator 360 below 10 Tonnes: Wheeled Training
  • Excavator 360 Above 10 Tonnes: Lifting Operations suspended loads Training
  • Excavator 180 Below 10 Tonnes: Lifting Operations Training
  • Excavator 360° Lifting operations – Suspended loads
  • Excavator 180° Lifting operations – Suspended loads
  • Excavator 180 Below 5 Tonnes Training
  • Excavator 180 Above 5 Tonnes Training
  • Forward Tipping Dumper: Tracked Training
  • Dump Truck: Articulated Chassis, Up To 15 Tonnes Training
  • Dump Truck: Rigid Chassis, Up To 15 Tonnes Training
  • Dump Truck: Rigid Chassis, Up To 50 Tonnes Training
  • Dump Truck: Rigid Chassis, All Sizes (Wheeled) Training
  • Dump Truck: Rigid Chassis, All Sizes (Tracked) Training
  • Telescopic Handler: Suspended Loads (Non-Rough Terrain) Training
  • Telescopic Handler: Industrial Telescopic Training
  • Telescopic Handler: Up To 9 Metres Training
  • Telescopic Handler: All Sizes Including 360 Slew Training.

Plant standards phase two durations and ratios (PDF, 74KB) contains more detailed information.

For more information on accessing CITB funding for plant or other construction-related training, contact your local CITB advisor. If you're unsure who your advisor is, email customerengagement@citb.co.uk for assistance.