NRSWA Training

What is this course?

NRSWA training is designed for individuals who carry out or supervise work on or near public highways, in line with the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. It supports safe working practices in excavation, reinstatement, signing, lighting, guarding, and the location of underground services, helping learners gain the knowledge and competence required for their role. It is absolutely essential that anyone working on, or adjacent to, public highways takes the relevant unit and achieves the required level of competence — this range of qualified training and competence is what helps prevent accidents and reduce road fatalities.

Quick Facts

Accreditation: EUIAS/SWQR (Street Works Qualification Register)
Certification: an EUIAS certificate and an SWQR card
Validity: 5 years
Delivery: classroom, practical, and assessment-based

Operatives units

Unit LA — Location and avoidance of underground services: surveying land prior to excavation using HSG47 guidance, utility plans and symbols, types of services, and the correct use of the Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) and Genny
Unit O1 — Signing, lighting and guarding: legal requirements, basic principles of signing and guarding, on-site risk assessment, traffic control methods, and planning a signing/lighting/guarding project
Unit O2 — Excavation in the highway: specifications, techniques, road types, and materials
Unit O3 — Reinstatement and compaction of backfill materials
Unit O4 — Reinstatement of non-bituminous sub-base and base materials
Unit O5 — Laying practices and reinstatement of cold-lay bituminous materials, including specification and types of materials
Unit O6 — Hot lay
Unit O8 — Reinstatement of modular surfaces and concrete footways

Supervisors units

Unit LA — Location and avoidance of underground apparatus
Unit S1 — Monitoring signing, lighting and guarding (does not itself certify a supervisor to carry out the setting out of signing, lighting and guarding — that requires the operative Unit O1)
Unit S2 — Monitoring excavation in the highway
Unit S3 — Monitoring reinstatement and compaction of backfill
Unit S4 — Monitoring reinstatement of sub-base and base in non-bituminous materials
Unit S5 — Monitoring reinstatement in bituminous materials
Unit S7 — Monitoring reinstatement of modular surfaces and concrete footways

The 5-day Operatives and Supervisors assessments are primarily assessment courses rather than full teaching courses. Because of the volume of reference material candidates must draw on for the exams, AJ's Training offers optional training days beforehand for anyone new to the industry or with limited existing knowledge. Alternatively, candidates can self-study using the relevant Codes of Practice and guidance documents (including HSG47 and HSG150) ahead of their assessment.

Operatives units are assessed by written and oral questioning, and practically by observation — some units require candidates to complete risk assessments and produce sketches.

Supervisor units are assessed through practical and simulated assessments, supplemented with classroom tutorials. Supervisors must demonstrate the ability to monitor a site and compile written reports to successfully complete their units.

Re-assessment (for existing card holders renewing their qualification) is by a multiple-choice assessment paper for each unit being re-assessed. Delegates must present their original Street Works card to the trainer on arrival — photocopies are not accepted — and re-assessment must take place within 5 years of the card's expiry, or the full course must be retaken.

Those working for, or on behalf of, local authorities, utilities companies, or their contractors, where work is completed on roads, highways, or footpaths — including excavation, backfill, and reinstatement of materials during street works. This covers both operatives who carry out the physical work, and supervisors who monitor it.

Course Content

Operatives units

Unit LA — Location and avoidance of underground services: surveying land prior to excavation using HSG47 guidance, utility plans and symbols, types of services, and the correct use of the Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) and Genny
Unit O1 — Signing, lighting and guarding: legal requirements, basic principles of signing and guarding, on-site risk assessment, traffic control methods, and planning a signing/lighting/guarding project
Unit O2 — Excavation in the highway: specifications, techniques, road types, and materials
Unit O3 — Reinstatement and compaction of backfill materials
Unit O4 — Reinstatement of non-bituminous sub-base and base materials
Unit O5 — Laying practices and reinstatement of cold-lay bituminous materials, including specification and types of materials
Unit O6 — Hot lay
Unit O8 — Reinstatement of modular surfaces and concrete footways

Supervisors units

Unit LA — Location and avoidance of underground apparatus
Unit S1 — Monitoring signing, lighting and guarding (does not itself certify a supervisor to carry out the setting out of signing, lighting and guarding — that requires the operative Unit O1)
Unit S2 — Monitoring excavation in the highway
Unit S3 — Monitoring reinstatement and compaction of backfill
Unit S4 — Monitoring reinstatement of sub-base and base in non-bituminous materials
Unit S5 — Monitoring reinstatement in bituminous materials
Unit S7 — Monitoring reinstatement of modular surfaces and concrete footways

Assessment

Operatives units are assessed by written and oral questioning, and practically by observation — some units require candidates to complete risk assessments and produce sketches.

Suitable For

Entry Requirements

• A basic comprehension of the English language is essential
• Some experience within the construction/civil engineering sectors is normally required — anyone unsure whether their experience is suitable should speak to AJ's Training before booking
• For re-assessment: a current, valid Street Works card, with a scanned copy (front and back) provided before attending

Trainer Delivering This Course

Chris Sanders

Lead Trainer / Assessor

chris@ajstraining.co.uk

Chris brings 40 years of industry experience to AJ's Training, including 35 years in telecommunications and a background as a City & Guilds qualified electrician. A fully qualified Level 3 trainer and assessor, he delivers NRSWA, EUSR, health and safety and telecommunications training, and mentors AJ's newer trainers.

Stuart Pocock

Apprenticeship Manager / Lead IQA / DLS

stuart@ajstraining.co.uk

With over 15 years across construction and highways, Stuart leads AJ's apprenticeship programmes, safeguards learner welfare as Designated Safeguarding Lead, and oversees assessment quality as Lead IQA. He teaches across vehicle restraint systems, fencing, plant, health and safety, street works and EUSR.

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FAQs

Which unit or bundle do I need?

This depends entirely on your role and the type of work you carry out — get in touch and AJ's Training can help identify the right unit or bundle combination for you.

What's the difference between the Operatives and Supervisors routes?

Operatives routes cover physically carrying out excavation, backfill, and reinstatement work. Supervisors routes cover monitoring operatives' work to the correct standards and compiling reports.

Can I take just one unit rather than a full bundle?

Yes — most units are available individually as well as part of a bundle, see Popular Bundles & Pricing below.

My Street Works card is due to expire — what do I need to do?

Book onto the re-assessment route and provide a scanned copy of your current card (front and back) beforehand, so the correct exams can be arranged. This must happen within 5 years of your card's expiry, or you'll need to retake the full course.

Is this an Ofqual-regulated qualification?

No — this is a UK Rural Skills competence-based training standard, not an Ofqual-regulated qualification.

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