18.09.2006

NOPRS resigns from CPCS

Representatives of the National Plant Operators Registration Scheme have resigned their places on the management committee of the CPCS, (the Construction Plant Competence Scheme).

NPORS was a founder member of the scheme at its commencement in July 2003, offering the CPCS card alongside its own training course which delivers the NPORS card.
The decision to leave follows a CPCS statement of the way in which member organisations must approach conflicts of interest between their role as providers of CPCS cards and their own cards.

Trevor Gamble, chairman of CPCS, said of NPORS’ withdrawal:
“NPORS has contributed a great deal to the CPCS, helping establish it as the standard for plant operators. However, for the management committee to operate in the best interests of the plant sector, it is crucial that members avoid the possibility of conflicts of interest arising - and for that reason I respect NPORS’ decision to withdraw.”


The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) confirmed its backing of CPCS, Colin Wood of the CPA stated, “The CPCS is firmly based on national competence standards, which we see as vital in a sector such as plant.

The scheme requires plant operators to demonstrate the skills required to gain an NVQ at Level 2, and ongoing competence to be measured, recorded and checked. We trust this development will end any confusion there may have been regarding acceptability of various cards and will allow the qualification of plant operators to continue apace.”