There's more than one way to run this course
The Cat 2 safe dig course always ends the same way — every delegate assessed on a real excavation. But where the theory happens and where they dig is up to you. Compare every option below and pick the one that fits how your teams work. Most run in a single day with up to 8 delegates.
Every option, side by side
Compare and choose
Everything you need to decide is in this table — scroll sideways on a phone. The photos and fuller notes below expand on each option.
| Option | Our Wigan training centre | Your site — dedicated dig area | Your live sites — we come to each team | One nearby live job — whole group together | Pre-recorded theory + on-site practical | For larger groups Monday stand-down |
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| Where's the theory? | Our training room, Wigan | Your meeting room | Short session at a chosen site, before the shift | Morning session at a chosen venue | Pre-recorded — watched in delegates' own time | One group session, Monday morning — toolbox-talk style |
| Where's the practical? | Our own dig area, Wigan | A dig area on your site or yard | Each team assessed on its own live job | Everyone travels to one live job | We come to your live sites, purely for assessments | On live sites across the rest of the week |
| How many delegates? | Up to 8 | Up to 8 | Up to 6 | Up to 8 — if the job can host the group safely, or fewer to suit | The most delegates per trainer day | A whole week's group |
| Disruption to your work | A day away from site | One day — delegates off the tools | Teams keep working — may drop one job for the theory | One day — group off the tools | The least of any option — no classroom time at all | One morning off the tools for the whole group |
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| Choose this if… | …you want the simplest possible booking with nothing to arrange. | …you have a yard or site with buried services and want everyone done in one visit. | …keeping crews on the tools matters and you have jobs running locally. | …you have a suitable live job nearby and want the whole group done together. | …minimal downtime is the priority and your teams can watch a short video beforehand. | …you have a bigger crew to get through and want one theory session covering everyone. |
Swipe the table sideways to see every option.
Hosting the dig on your site?
What a suitable dig area looks like
It's simpler than most people expect. For the dedicated dig-area option you need:
- ✓A dig area of roughly 1m x 1m over a detectable buried utility — with enough clear space around it for the whole group and the trainer to work
- ✓Ground suitable for a hand dig (no solid concrete or rebar)
- ✓A detectable buried service to locate and expose — the more services nearby, the better the training
- ✓Buried services plans for the area
- ✓FR PPE and insulated digging tools for the delegates
- ✓Ideally on the same site as the training room
Not sure if your site is suitable? Send us a couple of photos and we'll tell you — or we can visit, advise, and even arrange access to a suitable site if you don't have one.
A training excavation with the buried service exposed, protected and supported — what every candidate produces on the day.
The options in pictures
What each one looks like on the day
Our Wigan training centre
Theory: Our training room, Wigan. Practical: Our own dig area, Wigan. Up to 8 delegates.
Choose this if you want the simplest possible booking with nothing to arrange.
Your site — dedicated dig area
Theory: Your meeting room. Practical: A dig area on your site or yard. Up to 8 delegates.
Choose this if you have a yard or site with buried services and want everyone done in one visit.
Your live sites — we come to each team
Theory: Short session at a chosen site, before the shift. Practical: Each team assessed on its own live job. Up to 6 delegates.
Choose this if keeping crews on the tools matters and you have jobs running locally.
One nearby live job — whole group together
Theory: Morning session at a chosen venue. Practical: Everyone travels to one live job. Up to 8 — if the job can host the group safely, or fewer to suit delegates.
Choose this if you have a suitable live job nearby and want the whole group done together.
Pre-recorded theory + on-site practical
Theory: Pre-recorded — watched in delegates' own time. Practical: We come to your live sites, purely for assessments. The most delegates per trainer day delegates.
Choose this if minimal downtime is the priority and your teams can watch a short video beforehand.
Monday stand-down
For larger groupsTheory: One group session, Monday morning — toolbox-talk style. Practical: On live sites across the rest of the week. A whole week's group delegates.
Choose this if you have a bigger crew to get through and want one theory session covering everyone.
Whichever option you choose
The basics that apply to every route
- ✓Sygma bring the trainer, the locating equipment (CAT4 and Genny4) and all course materials
- ✓Delegates ideally bring their own locating equipment — non-CAT4 kit at a minimum of 1 locator per 3 people
- ✓On-site parking suitable for a transit-sized van wherever we come to you
- ✓STATS plans (buried service drawings) for wherever the practical happens — Sygma can supply plans for an agreed cost if none exist
- ✓Wherever theory runs on your premises: desk space for every delegate, a projector wall or screen, and welfare facilities
- ✓Appropriate PPE per national, company and H&S requirements
- ✓Government photographic ID per delegate (driving licence, passport or residence permit)
- ✓The host is responsible for the risk assessment of the site and training room — brief the trainer on any risks
Next step
Picked one? Or want a steer?
Tell us roughly how many operatives, where, and which option appeals — we'll come back with dates and a price. Not sure? Send the details and we'll recommend the best fit.