CPCS (A10 & A12) - Excavator 180 Degree - Training & Testing

Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) 180 Excavator training can be taken by both novice and experienced operators of the machine, but the content is tailored to those with limited or no experience. If the delegate has 2 or more years’ constant and recent experience on the 180-degree Excavator, an alternative 2-day Experienced Worker CPCS course may be a better option.

Please note that there are two categories for the CPCS Excavator 180 degrees training course and candidates can be trained on the following:

• A10 – Excavator 180 degrees below 5 tonnes
• A12 – Excavator 180 degrees above 5 tonnes

Foundation/Novice CPCS courses are typically 8-9 days in duration and will include 7-8 days of theory and practical training before the final day of the course which will consist of your CPCS theory and practical technical tests.

The demand levels for the A10 and A12, 180 degrees excavator categories are much less than that for the 360 degree categories, and for this reason there may be few or no scheduled open courses for this category. There will be many more open course dates for the more popular 360 degree digger training courses and tests. For these course types, please follow this link - CPCS (A58 & A59) Training - Excavator 360 Degree - Digger Courses & Tests.

If you are a Private Individual looking to obtain a CPCS card for an Excavator, the implications are very different from those of a CITB registered construction company. For Private Individuals it is recommended that you click on the following link with information on CPCS Training and the Private Individual, before making a specific enquiry relating to an Excavator training course.

All delegates must have passed the CITB health, safety and environment test no more than two years before the course start date. Delegates must also have good understanding of written and spoken English.

Successful candidates will receive the CPCS Red Card (Trained Operator). This is valid for 2 years per category.

CPCS Course Detail

This 180 Excavator training course ensures that candidates are plant trained in using a 180-degree Excavator, either below or above 5 tonnes depending on the training chosen. The course content provides the skills and experience that is essential to work efficiently when using this vehicle.

• For all CPCS categories, the CPCS theory test is a verbal questions and answer session which will take approximately an hour to complete. 

• The CPCS practical test for the 180-degree Excavator (A10) course must be completed within two hours and the practical test for the 180 degree Excavator (A12) course must be completed within two hours and twenty minutes.

Both CPCS practical 180 Excavator training courses consist of the candidate using the machine to complete a variety of activities and manoeuvres including excavating and moving loads.

A10 – Excavator Below 5 Tonnes - This CPCS course includes the following elements:

• Information and knowledge to ensure operators can name and explain the principal components of the machinery, including the basic construction, terminology and controls
• Pre-use checks, configuration and setting up ready for travel
• Shut down and securing procedures
• Safe operation and manoeuvring over a range of terrains and confined spaces, including steep inclines, level surfaces and rough ground
• How to attach and remove buckets, lift, move and place basic slung loads with the rear boom, and grade, spread and level ground and materials
• Relevant regulations and legislation pertaining both to the plant and the operator’s responsibilities
• Loading and unloading procedures

A12 – Excavator Above 5 Tonnes - This CPCS course includes the following elements:

• Routine adjustments and plant servicing procedures
• Safety precautions, machine capabilities and machine operation
• How diesel engines work and how they relate to machine operation
• Ancillary equipment
• Information given by level pegs, profiles etc and how to interpret this
• Preparing the machine for travel on public roads
• Siting the machine safely and efficiently

Course Delivery

Please check the Dates section for open courses in the CPCS Excavator 180 Degree Training & Testing category, or for more general help or further information please send an enquiry to enquiries@bookmycourse.co.uk. This CPCS category is deemed ‘On Centre’ so testing must be carried out at an accredited CPCS training centre.