Training
REGISTER YOUR TRAINING CENTRE HERE
Helping us identify the closest training centers for engineers across the UK is essential to raising standards in our industry.
We’re mapping training availability by location — and we need your support.
Please complete the link below and submit your details so we can connect engineers with the right training providers in their area. By taking part, you’re helping us strengthen compliance, improve safety, and build a more professional drainage sector nationwide.
Excellence Centre
EXCELLENCE CENTRE in MILTON KEYNES
Although we do not offer Training directly, we are in the process of building a training center where our Training providers can hire our Face to face classroom and meeting room and also have access to our Workstation Demonstration Area to provide in House training.
Hine Training Ltd
Hine Training Ltd
At Hine Training we deliver engaging enjoyable training to ensure you are working safely and efficiently. Our lead trainer Jason Hine's background is in sewerage and he has been training drainage operatives for over 20 years. If you need a CSCS card and are working in drainage & sewerage we deliver EUSR SHEA training courses on a monthly basis online using remote delivery. If you need practical training for locating defect using a sonde we offer closed courses onsite using your equipment to ensure that you put the mark on the correct spot 100% of the time. We also specialise in safe digging techniques so if you have civils repair teams who need to avoid damaging underground utilities then we have got you covered with the EUSR Safe Digging categories 1 & 2, as well as EUSR Abrasive Wheels.
TRAINING
What qualifications can help you in a drainage career?
Starting a career in the drainage industry can present you with a variety of professional opportunities and development pathways. Whether you are looking for a hands-on driving or engineering role, or an office-based administrative role, working within this exciting field presents all sorts of dynamic challenges and opportunities.
Because drainage work can be complex and technical, most roles will require certain specialist skills and qualifications in order to ensure that staff are able to handle all of the necessary responsibilities. Candidates who have obtained these credentials will therefore have a better chance of securing a role and progressing their career more quickly.
Here, we will explore some of the qualifications that will be most helpful to succeeding in a drainage career, as well as detail the support that TDER can provide to help members to gain the credentials and skills they need to thrive.
Practical Qualifications
NATIONAL LIST OF DRAINAGE TRAINING COURSES (UK)
MAIN INDUSTRY TRAINING BODIES
- Water Jetting Association (WJA)
- National Drainage Academy (NDA)
- National Association of Drainage Contractors (NADC)
- Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR)
- City & Guilds accredited providers
- DrainSafe / WRC aligned training providers
The National Drainage Academy is a network of approved trainers across the UK and Ireland, built with NADC to raise training standards.
CORE DRAINAGE OPERATIVE COURSES
Entry / Foundation Courses (1–2 days)
These are the minimum baseline courses for drainage operatives.
1. High Pressure Water Jetting – Safety Awareness (WJA)
Mandatory entry course for anyone using jetting equipment.
Typical duration: 1 day
Renewal: every 3 years
City & Guilds accredited and widely required by insurers and utilities.
2. WJA Drain & Sewer Cleaning
Practical jetting training following Safety Awareness.
Duration: 1 day practical
Covers equipment, PPE, risk assessments and operational procedures.
3. Pressure Washer Training (WJA / City & Guilds)
Standalone course for low-pressure equipment use.
CCTV & SURVEYING
4. NADC Certified Drain Surveyor (CDS)
One of the most recognised drainage qualifications.
Typical duration: 2 days
Covers:
- CCTV defect coding
- Misconnections
- Condition grading
- WRcC standards compliance
5. CCTV Drain Surveying Course (General)
Often delivered by NDA providers.
Typical duration: 1–2 days
Covers reporting, camera operation and defect identification.
MECHANICAL & SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT
6. Electro-Mechanical Machines Training
Includes Ridgid / Picote / Spartan equipment.
Duration: 1 day
Covers safe use of drain snakes, milling and cutters.
7. Milling Machines Training
Often combined with electro-mechanical training.
EXCAVATION, REPAIR & REHABILITATION
8. Drain Excavation & Repair
Covers:
- Safe excavation
- Pipe repair techniques
- Site safety
9. CIPP Lining & Patch Lining
Core rehab training.
Typical duration: 2 days
Includes resin safety and installation techniques.
TANKER & JETVAC TRAINING
10. Vacuum Tanker & Jetvac Operations
For tanker and jetvac crews.
Duration: 1 day
Leads to EUSR registration and ID card.
CONFINED SPACE & SAFETY (CRITICAL)
11. Confined Space – Water NC3 (Medium Risk)
Mandatory for manhole entry.
Typical duration: 2 days
Includes escape breathing apparatus training.
12. Safe Isolation & Pump De-ragging
Pump station safety course.
UTILITIES & PASSPORT SCHEMES
13. SHEA Drains & Sewers Passport (EUSR)
Required by most water utilities.
Duration: 1 day
Mandatory for site access in many water companies.
14. Water Hygiene (EUSR)
Often required for working on potable water assets.
ADDITIONAL SPECIALIST COURSES
15. Surface Preparation (WJA)
Jetting for surfaces and industrial cleaning.
16. Tube & Pipe Cleaning (WJA)
Industrial pipework and specialist jetting.
17. Land Drainage Course (Agricultural)
Relevant for rural drainage engineers.
NVQ & LONGER QUALIFICATIONS
18. NVQ Drainage / Wastewater Operations
Typical levels:
- Level 2 Drainage Operative
- Level 3 Drainage Supervisor
- Level 4 Site Management (linked to utilities)
Usually delivered via workplace assessment providers.
WJA Blue and Red Code of Practice Training
These two codes of practice have been developed by the WJA to establish a clear reference point for correct water jetting practice, and are continually updated by the organisation to ensure they remain relevant.
The Blue Code relates to the use of high-pressure and ultra-high-pressure water jetting equipment, while the Red Code outlines rules for safe working and the use of water jetting in drains and sewers specifically. While there is no specific qualification attached to these codes, it will be necessary to receive training on both during your drainage career.