National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS)
The National Plant Operators Registration Scheme started out as one of the UK’s leading accrediting bodies for lift trucks in construction, utilities, distribution and warehousing, ports and marine, road and rail, and agricultural sectors. Working with industry and accredited training providers, NPORS now accredit a wide range of plant machinery and equipment to meet the needs of the these sectors and to ensure an adequately trained and fully competent workforce in the UK.
Legislation
There are no government issued licences for vehicles at work. The law requires that each operator is given adequate training by their employer so that they are competent in operating the machinery they use, complying with regulation nine of Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998. NPORS is one of the six Health & Safety Executive (HSE) recognised awarding bodies for plant operations in the construction industry, set up to help and maintain professional training standards, along with RTITB, AITT, ITSSAR, Lantra and ConstructionSkills (CPCS).
The only code of practice for training plant operators approved by the HSE is the publication Rider-operated Lift Trucks: Operator Training L117. The HSE does not have a code of practice for any other items of mobile plant. However, there is still a legal obligation for every employer to ensure that their employees are adequately trained to operate any piece of work equipment.
Training
Employers should satisfy themselves that the training their operators receive is provided by instructors who have themselves undergone appropriate training and skills assessments to the very highest standard. This is something that Carter Training can 100% guarantee.
One of our instructors will complete a pre-assessment of the operator to determine the level of training required. The design and delivery of the training course is created by the instructor, to ensure they meet client requirements and skill levels of the operator. Training courses are usually carried out at the client’s preferred location or place of work, using their own machines. Alternatively, training can be arranged at our training centre in East Budleigh if preferred.
Assessment
A practical and knowledge assessment will be undertaken once training has been completed and the operator has achieved the necessary skills. Experienced employees may only require an assessment to be carried out, called an Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA). Our instructors will recommend additional training where required, to maintain the high standards needed to operate in the industry. As with the training, assessments are usually carried out at the clients’ location but this can also be arranged at our training centre.
Certification
Operators successfully completing a NPORS course will receive an operator card and certificate that identifies to the employer information about the plant machinery and equipment the operator has been trained or assessed to use. This demonstrates a level of competence to operate the item/s on the card and certificate. Where the individual has successfully attended a NPORS or industry recognised health and safety test, this is also added to the back of the card, along with plant categories that have been certificated by another HSE recognised awarding body and / or NVQ qualifications that have been successfully completed, providing there is sufficient evidence to support this.
View our NVQ training courses in the courses section.
Operator cards and certificates are valid for five years. These are renewable every five years by means of a simple refresher assessment to prove continued competence. Renewal notices will be sent out prior to the expiration of the card and certificate.