Ormskirk Training Centre (Burscough)

SB Skills operates a dedicated plant training and testing centre in Burscough, near Ormskirk, providing practical operator training and assessments for individuals and employers across Lancashire and the North West.

The site offers a realistic environment where learners can develop and demonstrate the practical skills required to operate construction plant safely and competently.

About our Burscough plant training centre

Our Burscough centre is used for practical plant operator training, testing and assessment. The site provides learners with the space and equipment needed to develop operating skills under the guidance of experienced instructors and assessors.

The venue is suitable for experienced operators requiring an assessment as well as learners completing training before undertaking their test. Course availability and duration will depend on the plant category and the learner’s previous experience.

Plant training available in Burscough

Training and testing at the site includes selected NPORS plant categories, such as:

Forward Tipping Dumper Training

Develop the skills required to complete safety checks and operate a forward tipping dumper correctly in a practical working environment.

Telescopic Handler Training

Learn how to inspect, manoeuvre and operate a telescopic handler while understanding stability, lifting capacity and site hazards.

FIND OUT MORE

360 Excavator Training

Complete practical training or assessment covering machine checks, safe operation, excavating techniques and shutdown procedures.

FIND OUT MORE

Additional plant categories

Other plant training and testing may be available at the Burscough centre. Contact SB Skills to discuss the required plant category, your previous experience and the most suitable course route.

Browse Plant Training Courses

Who uses this venue?

The Burscough plant training centre welcomes:

• New plant operators
• Experienced operators requiring assessment
• Construction workers developing additional skills
• Self-employed plant operators
• Employers arranging workforce training
• Learners completing NPORS training and testing
• Operators requiring refresher or familiarisation training

Facilities and site information

The Burscough venue provides a dedicated environment for practical plant training and operator assessment.

Learners should be aware that:

• The centre is accessed by a rural farm track
• A strict speed limit applies on the track
• Practical training takes place outdoors
• Ground and weather conditions may vary
• Suitable PPE must be worn
• Learners should arrive in sufficient time for registration
• Course-specific joining instructions must be checked before travelling

Add confirmed information about parking, toilets, refreshments and accessibility here rather than making assumptions.

Important access information

There is a strict 5 mph speed limit on the track leading towards the training site. All visitors must observe this restriction and drive carefully.

Satellite navigation may direct you to a farm on Bleak Lane. Continue past the farm and follow the track until you reach the plant training centre. Please use the supplied directions and What3Words location rather than relying solely on the postcode.

Place this information in a coloured warning panel so it cannot be missed.

Directions by road

From the A5209 and Briars Lane

1. Turn from the A5209 Briars Lane onto Ring O’ Bells Lane.
2. Continue for approximately 0.3 miles.
3. Continue onto Hoscar Moss Road for approximately 0.7 miles.
4. Continue onto Wanes Blades Road for approximately 0.2 miles.
5. Turn left onto Wood Lane.
6. Continue to the end of Wood Lane and turn right at the house.
7. Follow the track for approximately a quarter of a mile until you reach the training centre.
8. Do not exceed the 5 mph speed limit on the access track.

The venue is approximately:

• Five miles from Junction 27 of the M6
• Three miles from Junction 3 or 4 of the M58

Verify these approximate distances against your usual recommended driving route before publishing.

Public transport

Public transport access to the Burscough site is limited because of its rural location. Hoscar railway station is the closest station to the L40 4BP area, but the final approach includes rural roads and a private track.

Learners travelling by public transport should arrange a taxi for the final part of their journey and confirm their plans with SB Skills before attending. Bus services including the 2A and 312 serve the wider Burscough area, but they do not provide direct access to the training site. Lancashire bus information

What should learners bring?

Learners attending plant training or testing must bring:

• A hard hat
• High-visibility clothing
• Steel toe-capped safety footwear
• Any additional PPE stated in the joining instructions
• Suitable clothing for outdoor training
• The required photographic identification

All candidates must provide photographic identification when attending. If a passport or driving licence is used, the required details should be recorded in accordance with SB Skills’ identification and data-protection procedures.

Avoid publishing “the last four digits and expiry date are required” unless learners need that detail before arrival. It may be better placed in the private booking confirmation.

Areas served

The Burscough centre is conveniently positioned for learners travelling from:

• Burscough
• Ormskirk
• Skelmersdale
• Southport
• Wigan
• St Helens
• Liverpool
• West Lancashire
• Merseyside
• Greater Manchester

Frequently asked questions

Is PPE required?

Yes. Hard hats, high-visibility clothing and steel toe-capped footwear must be worn during plant training and testing. Check your joining instructions for any additional requirements.

Can I use the postcode to find the centre?

The postcode may direct you to a farm on Bleak Lane rather than the training area. Continue past the farm and follow the track, using ///rigs.demoted.scooter to locate the centre.

Is there a speed restriction?

Yes. A strict 5 mph speed limit applies on the track towards the training site.

Does training take place outdoors?

Practical plant training and testing take place outdoors. Learners should bring suitable clothing for the expected weather conditions while ensuring all required PPE can be worn correctly.

What identification do I need?

All learners must bring acceptable photographic identification. Your booking confirmation will explain the documents and information required.