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360 Excavator Certification Course
Take your construction career to the next level with Vally Plant Training’s NPORS 360 Excavator Courses, available at our Tewkesbury training centre or on-site at your workplace anywhere in the UK. Our NPORS 360 Excavator Training gives you the essential theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience to safely and confidently operate excavators of all sizes on construction, groundwork, and civil engineering sites.
Whether you need a digger ticket for tracked or wheeled Excavators, our experienced NPORS instructors deliver clear, professional digger training that follows NPORS standards and UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) best practices.
We provide CITB-funded 360 excavator training for qualifying levy-paying companies, helping you reduce costs while boosting workforce competence.
What Is An Excavator?
An excavator (also known as a digger or 360 excavator) is a powerful piece of construction plant used for digging, trenching, lifting, grading, and earthmoving tasks. It consists of a tracked or wheeled base with a rotating cab and a hydraulic arm fitted with attachments such as buckets, breakers, or grabs. Operators must be properly trained to safely control the machine, manage loads, and work efficiently while complying with UK health and safety regulations.
Why Choose Vally Plant Training
- Fully NPORS-accredited Excavator Training Provider
- Delivered by experienced industry instructors
- CITB Levy funding and price match guarantee
- On-site or off-site excavator training options nationwide
- Tailored courses for novice, refresher, and experienced operators
- Learn on modern, real-world equipment for tracked or wheeled excavators
- Gain your NPORS Digger Ticket UK, recognised across the UK construction industry
When you train with us, you’re getting industry-aligned, accredited, and practical learning that employers recognise and trust.
NPORS Excavator Course Overview
Our NPORS 360 Excavator Course combines structured classroom theory with hands-on operating experience to prepare you for the demands of modern construction sites. You’ll learn everything from basic machine operation to complex excavation techniques, including:
- Pre-start inspections and machine checks
- Safe digging, backfilling, grading, and levelling
- Working around underground services and confined areas
- Loading dumpers, trucks, and hoppers
- Slope management and stability awareness
- Environmental and safety legislation compliance
- Machine shutdown and maintenance procedures
Every aspect of our 360 excavator training ensures you meet NPORS, HSE, and site safety standards, helping you succeed in your assessment and on the job.
Who Is the Excavator Training For?
Our NPORS 360 Excavator Courses are designed for:
- Beginners or new entrants to construction seeking an initial qualification
- Experienced operators needing formal certification or renewals
- Groundworkers, labourers, and utilities operatives aiming to expand their skills
- Civil engineers, plant operators, and machine drivers working with heavy equipment
- Employers and plant managers ensuring staff are fully certified and compliant
If you’re pursuing a long-term career in construction, earthworks, landscaping, or infrastructure, achieving your NPORS Excavator Ticket demonstrates your competence and enhances employability across the UK.
Excavator Categories We Train
We provide NPORS training for all main excavator size categories:
- Micro 360 Excavator (up to 1 tonne)
- Mini Excavator (1 tonne – 10 tonnes)
- Large 360 Excavator (10 tonnes and above)
- Wheeled and Tracked Excavators
Excavator Courses are customised to your experience level, machine type, and site requirements.
Excavator Training Options to Suit Your Experience
• Novice Excavator Operator Course
Ideal for those new to plant machinery. Runs for 5–10 days, depending on ability, including practical digger operation and theoretical instruction aligned with NPORS testing criteria. At Vally Plant Training we offer 1 on 1 Training on our excavator novice training courses giving you all allocated time on the machine. Our route is a little more expensive but you get quality 1 on 1 360 excavator training.
• Refresher Excavator Training
A short 1–2 day course for certified operators updating their skills or renewing expired tickets.
• Experienced Worker Test (EWT)
A one-day assessment-only route for experienced operators to quickly achieve NPORS qualification.
• Attachment Training (Add-On Module)
For operators using specialist attachments – hydraulic breakers, grabs, augers, and tilt rotators – ensuring safe setup and operation.
All successful candidates receive either an NPORS Red Trained Operator Card or Traditional NPORS Card, with the option to upgrade to a Blue Competent Operator Card via the Level 2 NVQ Plant Operations route.
On-Site and Off-Site Excavator Training
Choose where and how you train:
- On-Site Excavator Training: Delivered at your site with your equipment for practical, real-world experience. Perfect for businesses across Gloucester, Cheltenham, Worcester, Bristol, Swindon, Hereford, Wiltshire, Southwest and nationwide.
- Off-Site Training: Provided at our Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire training centre, featuring controlled environments ideal for individual or small-group digger training.
Our flexibility ensures you get the most relevant and efficient excavator training possible while meeting NPORS standards.
Excavator Ticket Certification
After completing your NPORS Excavator Course, you’ll receive:
- NPORS Red Trained Operator Card – valid for 2 years
- NPORS Traditional Card – Valid for 5 years
- NPORS Blue Competent Operator Card (Upgrade via NVQ) – valid for 5 years
Your NPORS card proves your skills, giving employers confidence in your ability to operate safely and productively.
Excavator Course Pricing
We offer clear, competitive pricing to provide accessible NPORS training for both individuals and companies:
- Novice 360 Excavator Course: From £2700 + VAT (1 on 1 training on Above 10t excavator)
- Refresher Training: From £750 + VAT
- Experienced Worker Test (EWT): From £360 + VAT (approx. 3 hours)
- NPORS Registration & Card Fee: £45 + VAT
CITB grant funding available Group and company discounts Price Match Guarantee
CITB Funded Excavator Training
If your company contributes to the CITB Levy, you may be eligible for CITB grants that help offset the cost of NPORS 360 excavator training. As a CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO), we guide you through the grant claim process, ensuring a cost-effective path to certification for your workforce.
Career Benefits of NPORS Excavator Certification
Obtaining your NPORS Digger Ticket offers more than just compliance—it opens doors to higher pay, improved job security, and industry recognition. Certified operators are sought after across construction, infrastructure, utilities, and earthmoving projects throughout the UK.
With an NPORS Excavator Ticket, you can:
- Work confidently and legally on construction sites
- Improve employability across multiple sectors
- Demonstrate professional competence to clients and employers
- Progress to foreman or supervisor roles
- Gain eligibility for advanced plant tickets and NVQs
Book Your NPORS 360 Excavator Training in Gloucester
Don’t wait to advance your career. Get certified, boost your employability, and operate safely with Vally Plant Training’s NPORS 360 Excavator Courses.
Whether you need group training for your business, refresher certification, or are starting out as a new operator, we’ll help you gain your NPORS Digger Ticket quickly, affordably, and professionally.
Vally Plant Training – NPORS Accredited Provider, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
We Also Offer 180 Excavator Training
If you would like to Book 180 Excavator Training please visit our 180 Excavator Training Page
For more information on 360 Excavator Certification Course talk to Vally Plant Training