CAT and Genny Training Courses

What Is CAT and Genny Training?

CAT and Genny training teaches operatives and supervisors how to use Cable Avoidance Tools (CAT) and Signal Generators (Genny) to detect and avoid underground utilities before excavation. A CAT scans for electromagnetic signals emitted by buried cables and pipes, while a Genny applies a known signal to a specific service so it can be traced individually. Together, they form the primary defence against utility strikes during any excavation, demolition, or ground investigation work.

Every Sygma CAT and Genny course covers the four locating modes (Power, Radio, Genny, and Special Avoidance), practical signal generator operation, site plan interpretation, and hands-on assessment using real equipment on a live training rig. Delegates learn to read the CAT display, select the correct operating mode, and apply the techniques described in HSG47 (the Health and Safety Executive guidance on avoiding danger from underground services).

Sygma operates a strict maximum of 8 delegates per session to ensure every individual receives proper practical equipment time and individual assessment. This is not a compliance tick-box exercise -- it is genuine competency development.

Why Cable Avoidance Training Matters

Utility strikes remain one of the most common causes of serious injury and disruption on UK construction sites. According to the HSE, hundreds of cable and pipe strikes are reported every year, causing electric shock, gas explosions, flooding, supply interruptions, and project delays. The majority of these incidents are preventable with proper training and competent use of detection equipment.

Effective cable avoidance is not just about holding a CAT -- it requires understanding of electromagnetic principles, signal generation techniques, and the practical limitations of detection equipment in different ground conditions. Operatives need to know when the CAT will reliably detect a service and, critically, when it will not.

Sygma has delivered cable avoidance training for 21 years. Our data shows that delegates who complete our courses achieve a 70-80% increase in Genny usage compared to pre-training baselines, directly reducing the number of undetected services in excavation zones. Every course is designed to produce operatives who can locate services competently, not just carry a card.

Who Needs CAT and Genny Training?

Anyone who excavates near underground services, supervises excavation work, or manages cable avoidance operations should hold a current cable avoidance training certificate. This includes groundworkers, plant operatives, site supervisors, project managers, utility surveyors, and health and safety professionals.

Major utility companies (water, gas, electricity, telecoms) require contractors to hold EUSR or equivalent registration before working on their networks. Many principal contractors now specify ProQual-accredited training for their supply chain because it offers externally verified, individually assessed competency.

For utility surveyors, Sygma provides the only CICES-approved PAS 128 surveyor course in the UK, along with Ofqual-regulated qualifications from Level 3 through Level 6 that demonstrate professional competency in utility detection and mapping.

What Makes Effective CAT and Genny Training?

Not all cable avoidance training is equal. The difference between a good course and a poor one is measurable in Genny usage rates, strike incident frequency, and operative confidence when facing complex ground conditions. Effective training requires adequate time (not half-day sessions), practical equipment access (not just videos), and individual assessment (not group observation).

Sygma's approach is built on three principles: small groups (maximum 8 delegates), practical rigs that simulate real site conditions, and directly employed specialist trainers with genuine field experience. Every delegate uses the equipment individually, not just watches a demonstration.

We do not run half-day CAT and Genny courses. Competence in avoiding danger from underground services cannot be built in four hours. Our minimum is a full day, covering electromagnetic theory, all four locating modes, signal generator operation, practical assessment, and written assessment where applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions