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NPORS accredited · Tewkesbury & UK-wide

NPORS 180 Excavator Training Course (N201)

NPORS 180 Excavator Training (N201) for novice and experienced operators using wheeled or tracked 180° excavators.

Choose from one-to-one novice training, refresher training or an Experienced Worker Test (EWT), with practical excavator operator training available at our Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire training centre or on-site nationwide.

Request a quote →Call 01684 297167

Experienced Test

£400.00 + VAT

Card and Registration

£45.00 + VAT

Novice Course

£2799 + VAT

Novice: 5 Days, 1-to-1 Training
EWT: 1 Day, Maximum 4 Candidates
Experienced Operator: Single-day excavator test only, 4 candidates maximum. This is for Experienced Operators Only who require just the NPORS 180 Excavator Test. The time allocated per practical test is 2hrs 15m.
Novice 360 Excavator Operator Training: 5 days offering One-On-One 180 Digger Training for novices, The 1-on-1 Excavator Training Guarantees the candidate all the time allocated to gain experience of the use of the excavator. No sharing or waiting for your turn. NPORS state only 1 person over 5 days for Novice Excavator Training.
✓Accredited NPORS training · Established 2014 · Centre and on-site options

180 Excavator Training - Train Your Team on the Backhoe Loader They Use at Work.

Need 180 Excavator Training for your operators?

Vally Plant Training delivers practical NPORS training on suitable customer sites throughout the UK.

Train on your own backhoe loader in a familiar working environment, helping your team develop the skills to prepare, manoeuvre and operate the machine safely.

Contact us to discuss your equipment, candidates and training requirements.

Training for Your Team: On suitable customer sites throughout the UK.

Train on Your Own Equipment: Practical training using your 180 excavator and working environment.

Call 01684 297167.

Enquire About 180 Excavator Training.

180 Excavator Training at a Glance

  • Accreditation: NPORS N201
  • Novice: 5 Days, 1-to-1 Training
  • Price: EWT From £400 + VAT
  • Routes: Novice, Refresher & EWT
  • EWT: 1 Day, Maximum 4 Candidates
  • Location: Tewkesbury or On-Site Nationwide

NPORS N202: 180° Excavator Operation • Excavating & Trenching • Pre-Use Checks • Safe Machine Operation

NPORS 180 Excavator Training Course (N201) practical training
Practical plant operator training at Vally Plant Training

About the NPORS Excavator 180 (N201) Training Course

What the Course Covers

  • Roles and responsibilities of an excavator operator
  • Conducting pre-use machine inspections and checks
  • Understanding controls, levers, and hydraulic systems
  • Excavating, trenching, backfilling, grading, and lifting procedures
  • Working safely on slopes, soft ground, or confined areas
  • Changing buckets and attachments safely
  • Loading and unloading vehicles or materials
  • Site safety, hazard awareness, and communication signals
  • Daily maintenance and parking procedures
  • Theory session: UK legislation (LOLER, PUWER, HASAWA) and operator responsibilities

Who the NPORS 180 Excavator Training Is For

This course is suitable for:

  • New operators – with no prior excavator experience
  • Experienced workers seeking NPORS certification
  • Plant operators who need refresher training
  • Groundworkers, civil engineers, and construction professionals expanding their skill set
  • Companies and site supervisors wanting to certify or upgrade their teams for compliance

The course is open to individuals and businesses.

Group sessions and corporate bookings are available at discounted rates.

Training Routes Available

We provide flexible options tailored to your experience level:

  • Novice Excavator 180 Course – Full operator training (1 – 10 days).
  • Refresher Training – For those renewing or updating previous excavator experience (1–2 days).
  • Experienced Worker Test (EWT) – Fast-track, practical assessment only (approx. 2–3 hours).

All routes lead to NPORS Operator Card certification upon successful completion.

Training Locations

Train with confidence

Practical skills for safe, competent operators

Choose the right machine category and route for your experience. Our team can discuss novice training, Experienced Worker Tests, refreshers and workplace delivery.

Choose how and where you train:

On-Site Excavator 180 Training

Tewkesbury Training Centre

Certification – NPORS Excavator 180 Ticket

Upon passing both theoretical and practical assessments, you'll receive one of the following recognised NPORS cards:

  • NPORS Red Trained Operator Card (valid for up to 2 years) – for new operators
  • NPORS Traditional 5-year Card – for experienced operators completing the EWT

Your NPORS card is accepted on all UK construction, groundwork, and infrastructure sites as proof of operative competence and compliance.

Excavator 180 Training Course Costs

Course Type | Duration | From Price (ex VAT) Novice (Full Course) | 1-10 Days | £2800.00 Refresher | 1–2 Days | £750.00 Experienced Worker Test | 2–3 Hours | £400.00 ✔ FREE re-test for novice candidates ✔ Price Match Guarantee – we'll beat any equivalent NPORS course quote ✔ Group and company discounts available

Benefits of NPORS 180 Excavator Training

  • Gain a nationally recognised NPORS qualification
  • Improve employment opportunities across UK construction
  • Ensure legal compliance with Health & Safety and site regulations
  • Operate confidently in real-world environments
  • Reduce on-site accidents, downtime, and maintenance issues
  • Meet CITB, HSE, and contractor certification requirements

Your NPORS Excavator 180 ticket demonstrates both operator competence and your commitment to professional industry standards.

Why Choose Vally Plant Training

Areas We Cover

Nationwide training can also be arranged for on-site assessments or multi-site company programmes.

Book Your NPORS Excavator 180 Training Course (N201) Today

360 Excavator Training Courses

Full course duration, fees and delivery details
Detail 01Duration box:
Detail 02Experienced Operator: Single-day excavator test only, 4 candidates maximum. This is for Experienced Operators Only who require just the NPORS 180 Excavator Test. The time allocated per practical test is 2hrs 15m.
Detail 03Novice 360 Excavator Operator Training: 5 days offering One-On-One 180 Digger Training for novices, The 1-on-1 Excavator Training Guarantees the candidate all the time allocated to gain experience of the use of the excavator. No sharing or waiting for your turn. NPORS state only 1 person over 5 days for Novice Excavator Training.
Detail 04180 Digger Excavator Training Funding: Eligible candidates can gain access to CITB Funding for completing their 180 Excavator Training Course, you must be registered with the CITB Levy to claim this Grant.
Detail 05At Our Customers Site Nationwide: Our instructors are ready to travel across the UK, delivering 180 excavator training to interested candidates. Contact us for Digger Training near you for a competitive quote. *Additional mileage and accommodation charges may be applicable.
Detail 06Pricing box:
Detail 07NPORS Experienced Test From- £400.00 Per Person + VAT
Detail 08NPORS Novice Courses From- £2799 Per Person + VAT
Detail 09Prices apply to NPORS Plant Training or tests conducted at our site in Gloucestershire. On-site training quoted separately.
Detail 10Course Type | Duration | From Price (ex VAT)
Detail 11Novice (Full Course) | 1-10 Days | £2800.00
Detail 12✔ FREE re-test for novice candidates ✔ Price Match Guarantee – we'll beat any equivalent NPORS course quote ✔ Group and company discounts available
Detail 13360 Excavator Training & Testing Prices (from FAQ block):
Detail 14All prices are subject to VAT. NPORS card and registration fees are charged separately per candidate.

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Guidance before you book

Related guides & operator information

Digger Licence Guide

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NPORS Training Cost Guide

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NPORS Cards Explained

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Experienced Worker Test Guide

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Novice Training Guide

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Refresher Training Guide

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Plant Operations NVQ Hub

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Knowledge Centre →Plant Operations NVQs →Contact our team →

Frequently asked questions

What Does the 180 Excavator Operator Training Entail, and What Makes It Necessary?

The 180 Excavator training is designed to impart to individuals the skills and knowledge that are necessary for safe and efficient operation of 180 excavators and associated heavy machinery that is used in construction, mining, and other industries.

Completing this 180 excavator training is a must to ensure the safety of operators, teaching them how to prevent accidents, and maximise productivity on job sites.

Enrol and get your Digger Ticket without delay!

The HSE States that operators of machinery MUST be trained and competent for their job role.

Who Needs to Complete the 180 Excavator Operator Training?

Anyone who operates or intends to take up a job that involves operating 180 excavators needs to complete a proper 180 excavator operator training and get certified.

This list usually includes construction workers, heavy equipment operators, site supervisors, and contractors.

The 180 Excavator Training can also be very valuable for individuals who are seeking employment in industries where excavators are common use.

What Are the Topics That Will Be Covered Under the Excavator 180 Course Programs?

The excavator training program will cover a fair range of topics that include, but not limited to: equipment familiarisation, safety procedures, pre-operation inspection, proper operation techniques, trenching and excavation techniques, site hazards identification, emergency procedures.

To book your 180 excavator operator training, contact Vally Plant Training to book your space.

How long does it take to complete the 180 excavator course?

The duration of the complete 180 excavator training program will vary based on factors such as the level of experience of the participants and the depth of the curriculum.

The basic 180 excavator courses will last anywhere from a 5 days to 2 weeks.

At Vally Plant Training, we also offer shorter refresher courses for experienced Excavator operators.

At Vally Plant Training our prices for the 180 Excavator Training is based on 1 on 1 training over 5 days, this gives the candidate full time on the machine reducing waiting times for your turn if there are 3 candidates over 2 weeks.

NPORS Stipulate that you can not do more than 1 person over the 5 days for the 180 Digger Training.

Is Completing the 180 Excavator Training Course Mandatory?

While this is not a legally mandated course, many employers prefer operators with 180 Excavator Training, owing to their occupational health and safety policies.

Plus, regulatory bodies also recommend (or require) operators to be trained and certified in a 180 excavator course before operating heavy machinery like excavators on site.

Where Can I Come Across a Reputable Excavator Training Course?

Some employers may offer in-house training or provide recommendations for external training providers.

You can also call Vally Plant Training for all reputable 180 Excavator Training, which includes the 180 excavator training for 1 person over the 5 days one on one training.

How Much Can a 180 Excavator Driver Potentially Earn?

A 180 excavator driver can earn anywhere between £24,000 and £40,000 pa.

However, this varies with factors like their competence, qualifications, skills, and experience.

After completing the 180 excavator operator training and receiving the NPORS Excavator Operator card, you can get better work opportunities acquiring this NPORS Card.

How Do I Apply for the 180 Excavator Training?

If you are planning to apply for the 180 Excavator Training courses in the UK, do reach out to us using our contact form to enquire about our excavator courses.

You can also contact us to find out more about the other NPORS Courses that we are offering, and if there are any special offers available.

What is a 180 excavator licence or ticket?

A 360 excavator licence, often referred to as a 180 ticket or digger ticket, confirms that an operator has completed recognised training and assessment.

NPORS certification is widely accepted across construction and related industries.

Is NPORS 180 excavator training accepted on construction sites?

Yes.

NPORS 180 excavator training is recognised across the UK and accepted by many contractors, employers, and principal contractors, subject to site requirements.

How much does 180 excavator training cost?

The cost of 180 excavator training varies depending on experience level, course length, and location.

On-site group training can be more cost-effective for employers.

Contact us for accurate NPORS 180 excavator training prices.

360 Excavator Training & Testing Prices

Excavator Training (NPORS Accredited): Above 10 Tonnes: £2,700.00 + VAT; Below 10 Tonnes: £2,300.00 + VAT.

Experienced Worker Test (EWT – NPORS): Above 10 Tonnes: £360.00 + VAT; Below 10 Tonnes: £320.00 + VAT.

NPORS Card & Registration Fee: £40.00 + VAT per person.

All prices are subject to VAT.

NPORS card and registration fees are charged separately per candidate.

Do you provide 180 excavator training near me?

Vally Plant Training is based in Gloucestershire and delivers 180 excavator training across the South West and UK-wide, including on-site training at client locations.

All training coursesOn-site requirements