What Differences Can You Find Between CPCS and NPORS?
If you are working in the construction industry, I would bet all my money that you have heard of both CPCS and NPORS accreditations. I, myself have always wondered what the difference is between these two, and I am sure that I am not the only person either.
To begin with, Construction Plant Competence Scheme, otherwise known as CPCS, was introduced in 2003 to prove the competence of plant operators. The scheme is based on a mix of professional capability and Health and Safety awareness – both are necessary for plant operators in the UK. This is a widely recognised leading scheme across the UK.
Now what is NPORS? The National Plant Operators Registration Scheme, founded in 1992 is becoming one of the UK’s leading accreditation and registration bodies. However, unlike CPCS, the awarding bodies are not only restricted to plant operators. The industries that NPORS operate within include, but are not limited to:
- Industrial
- Demolition
- Lifting Operations
- Construction
- Utilities
- Oil and gas
- Marine
- Engineering
- Energy and Nuclear
- Agriculture
And many more. To find out if NPORS offer training within your field of work and how to obtain a card please visit https://npors.com/
2014 saw the National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS) become a UKCG accepted record scheme, this means that the accreditation is now seen as an equivalent to CPCS. Even though NPORS isn’t as popular as CPCS, is it becoming more recognised by large employers.
NPORS have recently begun to carry the CSCS logo on their cards in order to bring all the card schemes under ‘one logo’ policy. This makes it easier for employers to easily recognise the scheme.
Every construction site in the United Kingdom will accept CPCS as a form of accredited training as most employers will want you to hold a CPCS card in order for you to be permitted to operate plant equipment. However, there are some companies that do prefer NPORS as it offers more flexibility.
What flexibility does NPORS offer? NPORS offer flexibility when it comes to training: you can train onsite with your own machinery meanwhile, CPCS is restricted to certified centres.
The major difference with these two accreditation is the cost – NPORS offers cost savings over CPCS while still ensuring quality and compliance with strict standards in the same way CPCS does. Lower cost doesn’t mean lower quality with NPORS, so don’t worry. As well as CPCS being costly, it also may take longer to achieve the accreditation.
To conclude, there isn’t a lot of difference between the two accreditations as the results and learning outcomes are similar as well as the way to achieve the cards.
If one of these accreditations appeal to you, Total Training offer both CPCS and NPORS training. Give our team a call on 0121 706 0851 to discuss how we can help you achieve either one of these cards and when you can get started!