The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is set to launch phase three of its new plant training standards on 18 March 2026. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to standardise plant training across the sector, ensuring that operators are highly competent and work-ready.

Developed in close collaboration with industry representatives, these short-course standards reflect the modern requirements and increased responsibilities of plant operators. By establishing expert-led training criteria, the CITB aims to ensure employers receive a tangible return on their investment through consistent, high-quality performance on site.

From 18 March, only training and testing that strictly adheres to these new standards will remain eligible for CITB grants. The update follows the successful implementation of earlier phases and focuses on several key machinery categories.

The full list of phase three categories includes:

Slinger/Signaller

• Slinger/Signaller: All Types, All Duties (revised)

• Slinger/Signaller: All Types, Static Duties

• Slinger/Signaller: Excavator

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• Slinger/Signaller: Loader crane, Static Duties

Earthworks

• Wheeled Loading Shovel

• Tracked Loading Shovel

• Crawler Tractor / Dozer

• Skid Steer Loader

Forklift

• Rough Terrain Masted Forklift

• Reach Truck

• Forklift Side Loader

For Employers:

CITB Short Course Grants can help registered employers cover the cost of the standardised plant training. To be eligible for CITB grants for the updated plant categories, the following rules apply:

• All elements of the training and testing must align to the new training standard and to have taken place on or after March 18.

• The training and testing must have been carried out by a Training Provider Network (TPN) member or an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) which is approved to deliver the new training standards.

• The training needs to lead to a card carrying the CSCS logo.

• The achievement needs to be uploaded by the relevant TPN member or ATO.

Previous training and test grants for these categories of plant will no longer be available for achievements awarded on or after March 18.

For Training Providers:

Only training delivered by a Training Provider Network (TPN) member or an ATO approved to deliver the new standards will be eligible for grant. In order to deliver the standardised training and testing:

• CPCS Centres: You do not need to do anything. CITB will recognise your previous approvals and transfer them to the new Plant Training Standard(s).

• NPORS Providers (including those delivering both CPCS and NPORS): Simply email [email protected] with the categories you want to deliver and CITB will provide the required approvals to the new Plant Training Standard(s).

It is the TPN member or ATO’s responsibility for uploading the achievement in order to trigger any grant that the employer is entitled to (NPORS providers will need to do this via the Construction Training Register).

Details of the training durations and ratios for these new training standards can be found at: Phase three durations and ratios (PDF, 148KB)