CITB IS piloting changes to plant training standards and grants, implemented from 31 July to help standardise plant training and testing requirements.

The first set of new standards have been developed in collaboration with industry working groups, made up of employers, providers, and federations. They change the way that plant training and testing is delivered, streamlining the system, and making grants more accessible.

With plant operators in high demand, the changes aim to ensure employers see a return on their investment by producing competent, work-ready plant operators. Operators will receive training from experts, including learning on new technologies and the eco operation of plant.

The first phase of the changes will see new standards introduced for:

Excavator 360, above 10 tonnes (tracked)
Forward tipping dumper (wheeled)
Rear tipping dumper/dump truck: articulated chassis (all sizes)
Ride on roller
Telescopic handler: all sizes excluding 360 slew
Industrial forklift
Plant and Vehicle Marshaller
Slinger, Signaller: all types, all duties

Plant Grants

The grant rates for plant training and tests will also be changed and improved.

Currently, three smaller grants are available for practical tests, theory tests and short course training. Under the new changes a single grant will be available for all CITB registered employers.

A two-month transition period will allow employers to still receive grant for either the old or new standards while the process is embedded.

After September, grants will only be available against the new requirements for the training and testing of the eight categories under review. To ensure grant eligibility, they will have to:

Meet CITB’s new standards
Lead to a card carrying the CSCS logo, and
Be delivered by an Approved Training Organisations (ATO).

In future, employers will need to provide their CITB registration number to an ATO, who will apply for the grant on their behalf. Any other plant training that is separate from the new standards will remain eligible for grant and employers can apply for this in the same way they currently do.

Training Standards

Peter Brown, Plant Sector Representative Organisation (PSRO) Secretariat, said: “Through its competency framework, the PSRO recognises the importance of the introduction of these CITB training standards and their role in ensuring high-quality and consistency of learning, coupled with robust quality assurance processes, that is required for the skills and knowledge for the safe operation of plant.”

A separate, higher “novice” grant rate will be available for employers who are putting staff through plant training who do not have experience. This is to help respond to the need for more people to become skilled and competent plant operators.

Tim Brownbridge, Academy Manager at BAM Nuttall Ltd., said: “Since early in 2022, I have been involved in a voluntary industry group developing the CITB Plant Training Standards.

“The various plant and activity categories have been reviewed and developed by specialists with both experience and expertise relevant to the training required.

“The groups have been representative of all stakeholders in the use of plant from employers to trainers, owners, and operators, and I believe the end result will be of great value to industry providing a current, balanced and robust standard for training.”

For further information, visit CITB’s Grants and Funding page.

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