The Network Construction Operations (Water) (NCO(W)) scheme is designed to provide a register of skills held by operatives in the water network industry. It is supported by OFWAT and will provide evidence of employee competence to the Lloyds Register for self lay contractors installing water mains on a new development. Registration on the NCO(W) scheme denotes that a level of technical competence and skilled expertise has been achieved on the basis of evidence provided. The scheme covers all industrial staff working on water network infrastructure sites and now categorises some aspects (e.g. mains laying), in line with recent changes to industry engineering instructions.

This scheme provides employers with a means of ensuring that all people undertaking work for them on the water network have an appropriate level of relevant skills, knowledge and understanding to carry out work on the water network infrastructure. Having a common standard that applies across all companies involved in network operations provides an assurance mechanism for the sector as a whole. It is an National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) based scheme incorporating training time and practical on job assessments.

The occupational standards and qualifications used as the benchmarks for registration have all been developed through dialogue and consultation with the industry employers, and are therefore considered appropriate for the purpose. The NVQ covers subjects such as trench excavation, assembly of components, jointing of pipes and resource control.

Registration Categories

Registration is available at several levels:

Experienced Workers with PUD

Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills) recognise that there are workers on the water network who have previously completed an accredited vocational qualification on water network construction such as Public Utilities Distribution (PUD). Operatives wishing to register through this option will need to provide copies of their certificates. More details, and the full evidence requirements can be found on the Experienced Workers page.

An NCO(W) Supervisors qualification at NVQ Level 3 can also be used as supporting evidence for the Utility Network Construction Supervisors scheme.

How do I get an Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR) card?

Registration is based on evidence of skills achieved through completion of the relevant NVQ. Once the evidence has been submitted to EU Skills it will be checked and, so long as all criteria have been met, a EUSR registration card will be issued within 28 days.

As a pre-requisite, all registrants for Network Construction Operations (Water) (NCO(W)) scheme must hold a valid National Water Hygiene card in addition to a valid Utility SHEA (Water) or valid Water Network Safety Passport (WNSP) health and safety passport card. Applications for persons who do not meet these criteria will be referred.