CITB moves tower crane standards into phase five of plant training overhaul

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has moved its three tower crane operator standards and the Crane/Lifting Operations Supervisor standard out of phase four of its plant training programme and into phase five, due in early 2027.

The change, announced on 20 October, leaves the Appointed Person (Lifting Operations) standard as the only phase four category still to launch on 27 October. CITB said it would be the final plant category from that phase.

Phase five will also bring updated standards for earthworks, cranes and demolition plant. CITB said the standards are being developed with industry working groups made up of employers, training providers and federations.

What changed

CITB's position on the timetable has shifted since the summer. In an update on 26 August 2026, the body said the remaining phase four standards, including the three tower crane operator standards and Appointed Person, would launch on 27 October 2026.

The 20 October announcement instead lists the three tower crane standards and the Crane/Lifting Operations Supervisor standard as "moved from phase 4" into phase five. CITB did not give a reason for the move in its announcement.

The phase four list CITB published in May 2026 had included Appointed Person, Crane/Lifting Supervisor and three tower crane operator standards, among them a cab-controlled trolley jib standard. CITB said at the time that phase four would launch in September 2026.

The first group of phase four standards, six vacuum excavator standards and Loader Compressor Training, went live on 29 September 2026, according to CITB.

Phase five categories

CITB's announcement sets out the following categories for phase five:

Category	Standards
Earthworks	2
Cranes	3
Demolition plant	5
Tower cranes (moved from phase 4)	3
Crane/Lifting Operations Supervisor (moved from phase 4)	1

CITB said the changes are intended to give employers a return on their investment by producing competent, work-ready plant operators who have been trained by experts.

The programme

CITB and the Plant Sector Representative Organisation (PSRO) have been working together to standardise plant training across the construction industry, CITB said. The programme has introduced short-course training standards for plant categories that reflect increased requirements and responsibilities for operators.

According to CITB, the standardisation follows a review of plant grants. Phase three of the new standards launched on 18 March 2026.

The PSRO describes itself as a private limited company set up to remain impartial and transparent. Its member federations include Build UK, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), FPS, the Home Builders Federation (HBF), the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) and SPOA. Its board is advised by a Technical Review Group and a Certificating Bodies group.

Grants and providers

CITB said its Short Course Grants can help registered employers cover the cost of the standardised plant training. Previous training and test grants for the affected plant categories cease once the new standards take effect, and grant-eligible training must lead to a card carrying the CSCS logo.

NPORS training providers that want to deliver the new standards have been asked to email CITB's quality assurance team with the categories they wish to deliver.

CITB describes itself as the employer-led and funded skills and standards body for the construction industry in Great Britain.

The Appointed Person (Lifting Operations) standard launches on 27 October, with the phase five standards due in early 2027.