CPCS A21 Wheeled Loading Shovel

Course Overview

The CPCS Wheeled Loading Shovel – A21 course provides learners with the knowledge and practical skills needed to operate a wheeled loading shovel safely and efficiently in a construction or industrial environment. Covering essential topics such as machine controls, pre‑use inspections, safe loading techniques, and hazard awareness, the course is designed for both complete novices looking to start a career in plant operations and experienced operators seeking to refresh their skills or gain formal CPCS certification.

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes

• Describe the nature of the sector of industry and their role and responsibilities as a plant operator
• Name and explain the purpose of principal components, the basic construction, controls and terminology
• Conform with manufacturer’s requirements as per the operator’s handbook, other types of information source and relevant regulations and legislation
• Undertake all pre-use checks
• Configure and set for highway and site travel
• Travel over rough, undulating ground, substantial inclines and level surfaces; laden and unladen
• Manoeuvre in confined spaces
• Configure and set for extraction and loading duties
• Explain actions required for hazards, underground and overhead services
• Extract differing types of materials from stockpiles and other sources
• Form stockpiles of segregated materials and construct (temporary) ramps
• Sort and place materials into transporting vehicles and hoppers
• Spread and level ground and materials
• Carry out shut down and securing procedures
• Explain the loading and unloading procedures for machine transporting

Pre-requisites

• Novice: The candidate does not hold a current industry recognised card within the plant category and/or has limited or no demonstrable practical experience of operating the category of plant in a construction environment. Experience of working on site and a basic knowledge of construction terminology would be beneficial.
• Experienced: The candidate holds a current industry recognised red card within the plant category or has equivalent experience. The trainer must decide and be able to demonstrate a thorough initial assessment and document their decisions for choosing the experienced route based on the candidate s knowledge and skills through a documented profiling approach.

Assessment Methods

For the successful completion of training, candidates must complete an end of course practical assessment and knowledge test that has a clear pass or fail criteria as set out by the CPCS scheme.

Additional Information

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age, in good physical health, and capable of meeting the demands of practical training. An adequate level of English literacy is also required to fully engage with the course content and assessments. This course can also be offered as an in-house COTS Certification.