Training Focus – the new WJA Drain CCTV course

The Water Jetting Association now offers drainage contractors the opportunity to up-skill their operatives with the UK’s first accredited training course for CCTV drain surveying.

The new WJA Drain CCTV course is accredited by City & Guilds and delivered by WJA-approved training instructors to the same high standard as the association’s water jetting training programme.

It is aimed, primarily, at contractors who work on small bore domestic and light commercial drainage systems, but is also expected to be attractive to larger contractors operating drainage van pack fleets.

WJA Chairman Lee O’Callaghan explains:

We could see there’s a big gap in CCTV drainage survey training, with no accredited courses for small to medium-sized contractors working across the UK.

Our new course fills that gap. It will help contractors provide assurance about the safety and quality of their services and creates an important stepping stone to the training needed for main line CCTV surveying.

What equipment does the WJA’s Drain CCTV course train candidates to use?

The Drain CCTV course instructs candidates in the use of push-rod CCTV drain survey camera systems. This is the equipment most commonly used to inspect and survey drains up to a diameter of 225mm with short pipe runs (20m to 30m in length) associated with domestic and small business premises.

What is the format for the new WJA Drain CCTV course?

Accrediting body: City & Guilds
Duration: 1 day
Course delivery method: Class-based and practical assessment
Course content, includes: Manual handling, Working at height, Confined space, Qualification, Structural defects, Service defects, Construction features, System drawing, Condition coding ( WRC: MSCC5 classification), PPE and hygiene, Drainage law / Asset ownership,

How is the WJA Drain CCTV course assessed?

As with all the WJA’s City & Guilds-accredited courses, the knowledge of candidates is assessed using the CLiKAPAD digital response tool.

Sets of multiple-choice questions are asked at stages throughout the course. Candidates must achieve an 80% pass mark.

The WJA-approved training instructor also assesses candidates as they carry out a practical task operating push-rod CCTV survey equipment.

They must pass both course elements to pass the course.

Do candidates receive a certificate on completion of the course?

Yes, the WJA issues successful candidates with a digital certificate in recognition of their achievement. This is valid for three years, at which point they must attend a refresher course to retain their WJA-certified status.

Candidates are also given access to the WJA App, through which they can view and show their certificate.

They are also given access to the WJA Water Jetting Code of Practice and can see other safety and technical updates regularly published by the WJA.

What has been the industry response to the launch of the WJA Drain CCTV course?

There is wide recognition that providing accredited training for carrying out safety-critical tasks on wastewater assets is a positive step.

Thomas Baxter, Managing Director of CCTV equipment manufacturer Rausch UK, a WJA member, says:

A good drain CCTV inspection does far more than record footage inside a pipe. Done properly, it gives contractors, clients and asset owners clear evidence to make better decisions.

That means less guesswork, better reporting, more accurate planning and fewer unnecessary works on site.

This new WJA course will help raise the standard of CCTV inspection, so is a positive step for the industry, because better inspection ultimately leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.

Which contractors will most benefit from the WJA’s Drain CCTV course?

WJA Technical Board Member Darren Hamilton has played a key role in the new WJA Drain CCTV course. He believes it will give contractors the edge in terms of joined up skills development. Darren says:

Contractors can now provide their operatives with a recognised standard of training for two core service tasks: cleaning drains and identifying faults in them.

While our Drain CCTV course is ideal for smaller contractors, it’ll be attractive to larger drainage companies too.

In many cases, their van pack operatives will have undergone WJA water jetting training, but will have learned the CCTV inspection role on the job. This course will help them deliver the best and safest service across both functions.

Find out more about WJA training courses

Go to the WJA training page: View details of all WJA courses

Find out more about the Drain CCTV course: View the drain CCTV course outline

Or contact the WJA team today. Email: info@waterjetting.org.uk Telephone: +44 (0) 208 320 1090.