NRSWA Unit LA or Cat & Genny Training

Project Skills Solutions offer NRSWA Unit LA (Location and Avoidance) training, as well as our in-house Cat & Genny Training.

What is the difference?

Essentially, you will receive the same training on both courses. However, the difference between them is that the NRSWA Unit LA is a nationally recognised qualification and on successful completion of this course you will be sent a NRSWA or 'Streetworks' card. Delegates who attend our in-house Cat & Genny Training, receive a Project Skills Solutions certificate which evidences that delegates are competent in using a Cat & Genny to locate underground services.

The course best for you may vary depending on the type of work you do, Contact a member of our team who will be happy to discuss your needs.

Cable Avoidance Training

Cable avoidance training (cat and genny training) will teach you how to locate and avoid underground services, such as electricity and gas during excavation work.

The course will teach you how to avoid underground cables and pipes whilst excavating roads and pavements. The course covers the use of various cat and genny manufacturers' equipment e.g C Scope and Radiodetection, how to use the tool and its limits, and the techniques used to avoid danger from underground services. It is not only essential to the health and safety of operatives working on an excavation, it is also vital to prevent costly disruptions during construction and civil engineering projects.

Accreditation or In-house?

When booking, look at the course name as this will tell you whether the course is going to gain you a NRSWA certificate (Unit LA) or whether you are booking our Project Skills Solutions in-house training course.

Bespoke Content

Do you have a group to train?

Let us tailor a course to your group and organisation, we can use your equipment so delegates get hands on experience with the equipment they will use on a day to day basis, include risk assessments from your organisation and you'll save money.Contact us to find out how we can provide bespoke training for you.

Subjects Covered

Please note the subjects covered may vary at different course sites

• Reasons for using locators - both safety and financial.
• Theory - covering both the benefits of the system and the limitations of this cat and genny technology.
• HSE Video - Alive or Dead.
• Relevant health and safety legislation.
• Practical work - hands on locating using receiver, transmitter and accessories.
• Feedback, questions / answers, application and techniques, general care and maintenance of equipment.

The course also covers

• Simple ways to locate street lighting cables.
• Location of bends.
• Location of junctions.
• Identification of utilities.
• Service connections.
• Safe working practises.
• Locating through concrete reinforcing.
• Depth measurement (Where Applicable).
• Using Sondes (a specific transmitter) for Non Metallic Pipes.

NRSWA Unit LA

The NRSWA is an accredited certification, and therefore covers specific learning objectives set by HAUC UK (Highway Authorities & Utilities Committee).
The learning objectives covered on this course are:

• Understand and interpret plans that show the location of underground utilities
• Understand and identify utility and highway services that could be encountered during excavation of highways
• Understand the hazards and risks associated with utilities and highway services when excavating
• Understand how to use, and use, equipment that locates underground pipes and cables
• Follow safe working practices on site (e.g. PPE, safe use of tools and use of risk assessments) by being able to identify and follow the relevant health and safety regulations, standards or any other legislation

Utility Services include:

• Plastic and metal gas mains and services
• Plastic and metal water mains and services
• Sewers and drains
• Low and high-voltage electricity cables
• Telecommunications and television cables
• fibre optic cables

Highways Services include:

• highways drainage
• Culverts
• Land drains
• Street lighting and traffic signal equipment
• Roads with special engineering controls

On receiving payment for your NRSWA Unit LA or Cat & Genny course, an email with your 'course joining instructions' is sent to you.
This documents includes the following details:

• The date of your chosen course
• Course start time at the venue
• Address of your chosen venue
• Details of what to do if you need any special requirements to complete the course, such as a physical disability, or a learning or reading difficulty

Equipment to bring on the day

You will be learning on a live site during your course if you choose the NRSWA Unit LA course. Therefore, you will be required to wear protective clothing. Requirements vary by location, and some centres can be more accommodating but typically you are required to bring:

• Fluorescent Jacket Long-sleeve
• Overalls/Work Clothes (shorts not allowed)
• Gloves
• Safety Boots
• Waterproof Clothing
• Ear Defenders
• Goggles
• Hard Hat
• FFP3 Dust Mask

If you do not have access to any of this equipment/clothing please let us know, call or chat with our team and they will help.

You will be asked to provide photo ID on your course, such as a passport or driving license, please bring this with you.

Course start time

NRSWA courses usually have a start time of between 8am and 8:30am and our PSS in-house training usually starts between 9 and 9:30am.

Special Considerations for the NRSWA Unit LA

As this is an accredited and nationally recognised certification, there is a multiple-choice exam at the end of the course. Therefore, the awarding bodies have the following rules for supporting delegates on this course:

The delegate must be literate and be able to read and write in English – SQA Awarding Body
The delegate can have a reader this would be the trainer or a member of staff at the training school – City and Guilds Awarding Body

If you have any questions or concerns regarding support during the course, please contact our team.

Please download the course overview below, easy to print and email if you need to share course information with a manager or colleague. If you would like an overview sent to you, please fill out the form and it will be with you within a couple of working days.

Aberdeenshire

Off of the A90 in Laurencekirk is the location of our Aberdeenshire training centre. It is close to local amenities as well as only a 10 minute walk from Laurencekirk train station.

Bedlington, Northumberland

In between the A1 and A189 north of Newcastle is where our Northumberland training centre is located. A great location for NRWSA courses, but only accessible by car.

Bedworth Coventry

This training centre is located on the outskirts of Bedworth, off of the M6 and A444. A great location for NRWSA courses, but only accessible by car.

Bighton Hill, Hampshire

Our Hampshire training venue is located East of Winchester off the A31. Accessible only by car but a great location for NRSWA courses.

Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire

Just North of the town of Bilsthorpe lies our Nottinghamshire training venue. It is a short drive to local amenities in the town from this location.

Birmingham (B27)

The first of two training centres in the Birmingham area, just a short walk from Olton train station and surrounded by local amenities for refreshments and lunch.

Birmingham (Midlands)

The second of two training centres in the Birmingham area in West Bromwich, connected to local bus routes and a short walk from Sandwell & Dudley train station, surrounded by local amenities for refreshments and lunch.

Brentwood

Our training centre in Brentwood, Essex offers a full range of NRSWA courses, located just off of the A127 and just a short drive from the M25.

Bristol

Located just off of the M5 East of the village of Falfield is our Bristol venue. Accessible only by car but a great location for NRSWA courses. There is one Café located a short walk from the venue.

Caldicot, South Wales

North of the village of Caldicot off of the M48 is our South Wales NRSWA training venue. It is a short drive to shops and local amenities for lunch in the town of Caldicot.

Chelmsford, Essex

Our Chelmsford venue is off of the A12 towards to village of West Hanngingfield. Accessible only by car but a great location for NRSWA courses.

Codford, Warminister

Next to the River Wylye in the village of Codford lies our Warminister training centre. Accessible only by car but a great location for NRSWA courses, a few cafes are in the area as is a small petrol station.

Corby, Northampton

South of the town of Corby is where our Northampton training venue is located. It is a short drive from Corby train station and the town's local shops and supermarkets.

Derby

A short walk from Derby's Peartree train station is our NRSWA training venue. Close to shops and local amenities for lunch.

Doncaster

Our Doncaster training venue is off of the A631 West of the town of Gainsborough. Only a short drive from this town and its amenities.

Eastleigh, Hampshire

North of Southampton airport off of the M3 in Colden Common is where our Hampshire NRSWA training venue is located. Accessible only by car but a great location for NRSWA courses.

Edinburgh

Located off of the M8 on the route between Glasgow and Edinburgh, is the location of this training centre. Easily accessible from the M8 and other major routes.

Edinburgh, West Lothian

Located off of the M8 right in the middle of the route between Glasgow and Edinburgh, is the location of the West Lothian training centre. Easily accessible from the M8 and other major routes.

Farnham, Surrey

Our NRSWA training centre in Farnham is South of the village of Fleet, lying in-between the M3 and A31.

Gillingham, Kent

Lying south of the town of Chatham off of the M2 is our Kent NRSWA venue. Accessible only by car but a great location for NRSWA courses.

Horsham, West Sussex

Our training centre is based in Horsham, offer a full range of NRSWA units which are accredited by CABWI. The training centre is located just east of the A24 in Broadbridge Heath.

Kent, Westerham

Off of the M25, Clacket Lane services is the location of our Kent NRSWA training centre. Accessible only by car but a great location for NRSWA courses.

Lancashire

This training venue is located on the outskirts of the town of Leyland, next to the M6.

Liverpool

Our training centre in Liverpool offers a full range of NRSWA training courses. Located in the middle of the M58, M62 and M6, it has great transfer links.

Manchester

Our training centre is in Bury, Manchester. Close to local amenities and on local bus routes.

Newcastle

Our training centre in Jarrow, Newcastle offers NRSWA open courses, just a short journey (2.9 miles) from Fellgate station or (6.48 miles) from Heworth.

Nottingham

Our training centre in Nottingham offers a full range of NRSWA units. Located East off of the M1 before the M1 and A38 meet.

Pulborough, West Sussex

Further south than our other West Sussex venue, Pulborough is a 30 minute drive from the seaside town of Worthing.

Rainham, Essex

Located off of the A13 and a short drive from the M25 in Rainham is the location of another of our Essex venues.

Somerset

Our training centre in Somerset is based in Woolverton, just off of the A36, which is south of the city of Bath.

Tadley, Hampshire

The second of two venues in Hampshire, this training location is north of the town of Tadley. A short drive will take you to the town's amenities and local services.

Wakefield, West Yorkshire

A short drive from the M1 or a 30 minute walk from Wakefield Kirkgate train station, is where our NRSWA training venue in Yorkshire is found. The venue is on the outskirts of city and easily accessible by car.

Wellingborough, Northamptonshire

East of Northampton in Wellingborough is where this training centre is located. Accessible only by car but a great location for NRSWA courses.

Wickford, Essex

Wickford is located between the A127 and A130, easily accessible from the M25 and other major routes in and around Essex.

Wokingham

Located on the outskirts of Reading in Wokingham, this NRSWA training venue is located where the M4 and A329(M) meet. This venue is easily accessibly by car from the surrounding towns and cities, including Slough, Maidenhead and Basingstoke.

Please download the course overview below, easy to print and email if you need to share course information with a manager or colleague. If you would like an overview sent to you, please fill out the form and it will be with you within a couple of working days.

Save time and money by training staff together on your site.

Learn Together

Training a group of your staff together allows us to tailor the course directly to your company and to your goals; we take care of everything and can fit training around your schedule.
Your staff can also learn in an environment that they will be operating in.

Get a quote today

Chat with us online or call 0800 0213 263 to get a quote and see how much you could save.

• Save over £300
• Train with your colleagues
• Train at a time and date that suits you
• Flexible content targeted towards your organisation
• Delegates experience applying skills in a familiar environment
• No travel costs for staff
• Confidentiality – company examples can be used during training

Please download the course overview below, easy to print and email if you need to share course information with a manager or colleague. If you would like an overview sent to you, please fill out the form and it will be with you within a couple of working days.