Recent changes to the UK's largest plant competence scheme will make training and testing more practical and flexible for the industry.

The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) changes were made on 1 August after widespread industry review and consultation. The changes are designed to reduce waiting times and to help tailor training to operators' needs.

A CPCS spokesperson says the changes came about after intently listening to various industry voices last year.

"Over the course of six months, we had received feedback from individuals and companies representing over 44,000 employees.

"We attended 24 industry and training road shows and mailed over 11,000 employers. We racked the brains of everyone who has a stake in CPCS," according to the official.

This consultative process indicated the scheme needed to be more robust and simpler and a number of changes have been implemented.

There were five key changes to the scheme designed to make the CPCS simpler while retaining the scheme's standards.

A new technical test replaces the intermediate certificate. This new core element will apply across all categories and includes a CPCS practical test of operating ability and skills and a theory test.

The renewal process has been updated to reflect the principle of independent assessment and lifelong learning. A multiple-choice, computer-based test will be taken to support all new blue card renewals from the beginning of 2009.

The CPCS training provider will be replaced with a CPCS test centre as a single point of contact. The test centre will deliver a complete package of services from trained operator card application to technical tests.

The role of the CPCS instructor has also been revised. This role has been divided into two: a CPCS trainer and a CPCS tester.

The final change is the simplification of grant support from CITB-Construction Skills to encourage employers to claim the grant.

The CPCS spokesperson says the changes to the scheme means the industry now has the scheme they want.

"It's all about making it work for industry and finding the balance between simplicity and robustness. We feel the scheme meets those requirements and feel it will encourage further training and drive up standards across all sectors."

The changes came into effect at the start of August, but there will be transitional arrangements for old scheme activities through to October 2008 and January 2009.