Site Operations

Site operations activities underpin and are essential to onsite craft and technical work. ECITB offers technical short courses ideal for upskilling site operatives new to working onsite, and who have usually completed initial health and safety training such as CCNSG. These courses are a mixture of knowledge theory and practical activities in the workshop. Experienced site operatives can verify their technical skills with technical tests and their occupational competence through tailored ECITB regulated qualifications.

Ideal route into engineering construction

Gain essential knowledge and practical skills

Verify technical skills with technical tests

Gain independent verification of occupational competence with ECITB qualification

ECITB training courses

Abrasive wheels

Learn how to safely and effectively operate hand-held and mounted abrasive wheel tools. This course includes practical activities in the workshop and testing to reinforce the skills learnt.

1 day

Firewatcher

An introduction to the firewatcher role, the observation and monitoring of fire risk and hot work areas are covered in this course. Learn what to do if a fire is discovered and how to follow a safe system of work, raise the alarm, evacuate others safely and discharge a fire extinguisher.

1 day

Confined space: low risk

Learn how to safely work in a low risk confined space, know the hazards, equipment and specific requirements for entering and working safely including dealing with emergencies. The training includes an assessment and practical exercises such as the simulation of a dangerous situation requiring completion of emergency exit procedures.

1 day

Confined space: medium risk

Learn how to work safely in a medium risk confined space environment that requires the use of escape breathing apparatus and the presence of one or more people responsible for controlling the entry and dealing with emergencies. This training includes an assessment and practical exercises including the simulation of a dangerous situation requiring the use of an escape set.

1 day

Manual handling

Learn safe manual handling techniques and recognise the risks associated with poor manual handling techniques. This course includes an assessment and practical exercises, one completed as an individual and the other as a team.

1 day

Working at height

Learn how to prepare for and work safely at height whilst performing engineering activities. Includes an assessment and practical exercises such as inspecting lanyards and harnesses for defects, preparing and reinstating the work area. This training aligns with the working-at-height regulations, relevant British Standard and code of practice for working at height and rescue.

1 day

Working safely with hand and power tools

Learn how to identify, safely use, store and check a range of tools needed to carry out basic engineering tasks. These tools include: hammers, chisels and punches, files, screwdrivers, hacksaws, spanners and wrenches, powered drills, pillar drills, saws and grinders. This training includes an assessment and practical exercises including cutting, filing, using hand tools to measure, power tools to drill.

1 day

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Technical tests

Join materials by manually controlled welding process

TSE 05

This test confirms operatives can join materials by manually controlled welding process, preparing four test pieces for welding and tack weld two sections of the joint securely.

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Mark out to required specification

TSE 02

This test confirms operatives can mark out metal plates for fabrication and production of components to a required specification.

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Move engineering loads by manual operation

TSE 01

This test confirms operatives can safely move an engineering load by manual operation from a storage area to its final location, securing it for work execution.

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Read and extract information from engineering drawings and specifications

TSE 03

This test confirms operatives can mark out metal plates for fabrication and production of components to a required specification.

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Shape engineering components by material removal using hand tools

TSE 04

This test confirms operatives can mark out and shape engineering components by material removal using hand tools.

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Specialist safely working at height tests

TWAH 01 TWAHR 02

These tests confirm operatives have the skills and ability to set up working-at-height resources correctly and carry out a rescue of a simulated unconscious casualty, working as a team of two.

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Thermal insulation

TTI 01

This test confirms operatives can safely and accurately apply insulation and non-metallic cladding to pipework to specification.

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Qualifications

Certificate in Supporting Engineering Construction Activities at SCQF Level 5 | R133 04Site Operations tagsPlease note that this qualification is unavailable for new registrations. Certification end date 31/03/2026.

ECITB Diploma in Supporting Engineering Construction Activities at SCQF Level 5 – Installation pathway | R829 04Site Operations tagsAn ECITB Diploma in Supporting Engineering Construction Activities at SCQF Level 5 - Installation pathway includes units on contributing to effective working relationships in engineering construction, working with environmental sustainability in mind and more.

Related disciplines

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ElectricalBoth electrical installers and electrical maintenance technicians can gain independent verification of their technical competence through ECITB's technical tests and verification of occupational competence with ECITB's regulated qualifications.

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Fabric MaintenanceOur suite of ECITB technical tests for sprayers, blasters, painters and thermal insulation provides independent verification of technical competence of workers that undertake these activities.

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PipefittingPipefitting training courses, tests and qualifications ensure pipefitters are able to position, assemble, fabricate, test, maintain, repair and dismantle piping systems.

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WeldingWelding training courses, tests and qualifications ensure competence in preparing pipe and plate for welding and carrying out non-critical and high integrity welds using a range of techniques.

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ECITB’s ‘essential’ short courses helping new entrants prepare for life on site

Find out how the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) suite of pre-employment courses is helping new entrants to industry prepare for life on site.

Industry experts describe the ECITB’s short courses for site operations as “essential” for setting workers up for what to expect when they take their first steps in the engineering construction industry (ECI).

The short courses are developed for industry, by industry and are based against training standards. The working group that supported the development of the courses is made up of training providers, employers and the ECITB.

David Warrell, Director at Providence Training, says the short courses “take people with very little experience and gives them foundation skills and knowledge of what to expect on a site”.

Find out more in our short courses case study

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