CPCS 360 Excavator Above & Below 10T (A58/A59)

What is the CPCS 360 Excavator course (A58/A59)?

The CPCS 360 Excavator Above & Below 10 tonnes categories of plant training and testing is aimed at those operating or looking to operate 360 excavators and earn their CPCS red card.

Knowledge and Skills covered on the 360 Excavator course will include:

• How to conduct pre-use checks
• Manoeuvring the machine
• Digging trenches and foundations
• Understanding the limitations of the machines
• Complying with health and safety regulations

Course duration

Foundation training courses are for beginners and those with some experience. These courses run over 5 days.

Mandatory entry requirements

• Hold the relevant CITB health, safety and environment test, passed no more than two years before the course start date
• Good understanding of spoken and written English.

If you have any questions about the CPCS 360 Excavator course, please contact a member of our team by phone, speak to us on the chat, or send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Depending on the course category and endorsement, your syllabus may include the following:

• Describe the nature of the sector of industry and their role and responsibilities as a plant operator.
• Name and explain the purpose of principle components, the basic construction, controls and terminology.
• Conform with manufacturer's requirements as per the operator's handbook, other types of information source and relevant regulations and legislation.
• Undertake all pre-use checks.
• Configure and set for travel.
• Travel over rough, undulating ground, substantial inclines and level surfaces.
• Manoeuvre in confined spaces.
• Configure and set up for excavating duties.
• Explain actions required for hazards, underground and overhead services.
• Excavate differing types of excavations in various types of ground.
• Place materials into transporting vehicles and hoppers.
• Grade, spread and level ground and materials.
• Attach and remove buckets.
• Lift, move and place a variety of slung loads.
• Travel with slung loads.
• Carry out shut down and securing procedures.
• Explain the loading and unloading procedures for machine transporting.

Assessment

You will take both a theory and practical assessment for your CPCS 360 Excavator course.
You will take a theory assessment in the form of the CPCS verbal test. You need to achieve 80%, plus full marks on any mandatory questions to pass the standard set in the theory test.
Your practical test will assess your operating ability through practical activities based on the core skills needed to operate the excavator.

What happens on a CPCS 360 Excavator Course?

Most CPCS courses will run in the following format:

• Day 1 - mostly theory-based classroom training. This is to ensure that you are confident with the theory aspect before you go out and complete the practical training. Depending on how your theory learning goes, you may get practical training for some of the day on your first day.
• The next 3 days of learning is usually putting your theory knowledge into practice by completing the practical exercises of your training.
• On the final day of your course, you will complete your theory test preparation by completing mock exam questions, and then complete your actual assessment: the CPCS technical tests.

What qualification will I get on the CPCS 360 Excavator Course?

• CPCS Trained Operator Card (red card) on passing the CPCS technical tests.
• CITB National Construction College e-certificate, available on request from CITB.

Endorsements

A58A = Tracked
A58B = Wheeled
A58C = Lifting Operations

A59A = Tracked
A59B = Wheeled

A59C = Lifting Operations

Please check with a member of our team if you want to confirm the category you are booking.

Once you have booked your CPCS 360 Excavator Course (A58/A59):

On receiving payment for your CPCS 360 Excavator course, an email with your ‘course joining instructions’ is sent to you.
This document includes the following details:

• Your chosen course start date and subsequent dates (this is a 5-day course)
• Course start time at your chosen venue
• Address of your chosen venue, including a map screenshot
• Details of what to do if you need any special requirements to complete the course

You need to bring photographic ID, such as a driving licence or passport with you.

Lunch is not included, so please provide your own.

Mandatory entry requirements

• The relevant CITB health, safety and environment test passed no more than two years before the course start date
• Good understanding of spoken and written English.

Special Considerations

The delegate can have additional time for their theory test which is a verbal or taped verbal test. If a translator is required, this will incur additional costs and will need to be arranged in advance.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding support during the course, please contact our team on 0800 0213 263.

Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS)

The CPCS covers an extensive range of plant categories. The Construction Plant Competence Scheme uses practical and written assessments to ensure you are competent in your chosen category. These assessments are taken at the end of your training.

1. Pass the relevant Health, Safety and Environment Test.
2. Attend training days in your chosen category.
3. At the end of your training, complete your category assessments (assessment fee's are included in your course price).
4. Receive your Trained Operator (red) or Competent Operator (blue) card.

What is the difference between the Red and Blue CPCS Card?

You can start working within your chosen category once you have earned the Red (trained operator) card. The card confirms the core skills, knowledge and understanding required. However, a newly trained operator will still require full and close supervision until they deemed sufficiently experienced to without supervision. That is where the Blue CPCS card comes in.

Red CPCS Card
Each category on your red card will have it's own 2 year expiry date the card itself has no expiry. Your Red card is not renewable, this is to ensure progression towards your competent card (The Blue CPCS card). During the 2 years you will be expected to register and achieve a NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) or SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification) and upgrade to the Blue (competent operator) card.

Blue CPCS Card
To earn your Blue card you must meet the requirements of the Red card plus complete an NVQ or SVQ in your category.
Your Blue card will last for 5 years, each category on the card will have the expiry of the card itself. You will have to renew your card within the 5 years.

If you would like to read more about the application process for Red and Blue CPCS cards, read this 'How to get your CPCS Card' document from CPCS.

Grants

This course may be eligible for 1 or more CITB grants. You can check the eligibility of the course on the CITB Grants and funding page.