Thanks to Heritage Lottery funding, we are proud to announce that we have been able to support 12 agricultural contractors local to the Gwent Levels to take part in the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS). At the end of their training, they will be issued with a CPCS card which is an industry standard identification card certifying that an individual has the necessary knowledge and competence to work as a plant operator within the field of construction. The objective of the scheme is to ensure that employers and plant operators can have confidence that they are meeting the required standards in health and safety legislation.
Many of the smaller local contractors, often those who have been operating on the Gwent Levels for many years, do not possess the necessary competency certificates that are required for certain jobs, particularly public sector contracts requiring specific construction design management standards to be met. Most plant operators on the Major Contractors Group and National Contractors Federation sites have to be CPCS cardholders in order to be considered for these positions. Thanks to our training programme, our contractors will have their competencies certified in health and safety awareness and the operation of 10 Tonne excavators. These are the machines which will need to be used to carry out essential habitat restoration works as part of the Living Levels natural heritage restoration project.
As a result of this training, the contractors will be able to bid for more construction based work requiring the CPSC card, helping to ensure that the project has a strong legacy and supports the building of locally skilled workforce. So far, 6 of our contractors have received their CPCS card with another 6 well on their way. Some will also be trained in Cable Avoidance at a later date, details to follow.
Pictured below is Des Williams, one of the first wave to be trained, receiving his card and certificate.
Below is Jamie Williams taking part in his practical excavation assessment.
