Delivering CITB Assured Setting Out & Surveying Courses.
Latest Robotic Total Station, GNSS, Lasers and Levels.
Delivering CITB Assured Setting Out & Surveying Courses.
Latest Robotic Total Station, GNSS, Lasers and Levels.
Site Skills Knowhow – Setting Out & Surveying Training
Site Skills Knowhow is an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) with the CITB that specialise in construction related training with highly skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced trainers that enjoy sharing their modern industry experience with you.
We are fully approved by the CITB to deliver assured Setting Out and Surveying courses using the latest technology and we have decades of experience which shines though in our reviews. Learn from industry professionals that are very experienced and our courses are heavily practical getting you ready for your on-site roles in Site Engineering.
Ready to start your career?
View CoursesCITB Accredited Setting Out and Surveying Courses
At Site Skills Knowhow, we specialise in practical, hands-on Site Engineering training in Setting Out and Surveying for the construction industry using the latest site engineering equipment. We are trusted by major national and international companies across the UK and are leading the way in delivering practical training from a wealth of real project experience.
Our goal is to build the skills, competence, and confidence that Site Engineers and construction professionals need to thrive in today’s fast-paced projects. We run courses throughout the year and publish course dates well in advance so individuals and companies can plan training around site workloads.
Our dedicated training centre in Northamptonshire gives delegates access to extensive outdoor training areas set up purely for our practical exercises, allowing you to work with live equipment in realistic environments.
Why Accurate Setting Out and Surveying Matters
Accuracy is critical in modern construction. Every element of a project depends on correct drawing interpretation and precise transfer of design coordinates to the ground. Skilled Setting Out Engineers are responsible for controlling position, orientation, size, and height on site.
- Interpret construction drawings and design specifications correctly.
- Install and check control points and reference lines.
- Carry out levelling, resection, stake-out tasks, surveying features, volumes, reference lines, curves, and offsets.
- Use Robotic Total Stations, GNSS receivers, automatic levels, and lasers with confidence.
- Verify data accuracy using coordinate systems and quality checks.
Learning these skills helps you deliver reliable results on-site, build trust with clients and project managers, and keep projects safe, on programme, and within specification.
What You Will Learn on Our Setting Out and Surveying Courses
Our courses combine focused classroom theory with extensive field practice. Delegates spend most of their time outside using equipment under guided supervision.
- Total Station (including Robotic) operation and setup.
- GNSS / GPS positioning systems and when to use them.
- Levelling and transferring of datums.
- Laser levelling, height transfer and dual grade lasers for drainage.
- Setting gradients for drainage excavations and pipe laying.
- Taping and offset methods for setting out.
- Local and global coordinate systems and accurate traverses.
- Primary and secondary control networks.
- AutoCAD integration and digital workflows.
- Quality assurance checks to confirm accuracy on site.
By the end of the course, you will be able to tackle real-world setting out and surveying tasks with confidence and accuracy.
Types of Courses Available
We offer a range of CITB-Assured and independently accredited training options designed to fit your goals and experience level.
🧩 5-Day Setting Out for Construction Course
A practical, hands-on programme covering:
- Levelling and height transfer.
- Establishing site control with Total Stations and GNSS equipment.
- Using Robotic Total Stations to control construction through POSH (Position, Orientation, Size, Height).
This course is ideal for Site Engineers, Setting Out Engineers, and construction management professionals who want to apply best practice on live projects.
🏢 In-House Training for Companies
If you have six or more staff (up to a maximum of twelve), our in-house delivery is often the most efficient option.
- We come to your site and work around your projects.
- Examples and exercises are tailored to your drawings and site requirements.
- Training outcomes can be aligned with your company’s goals and procedures.
- Travel and accommodation costs for staff are significantly reduced.
Meet Your Lead Trainer – Matty
Matty’s teaching style is practical, supportive, and straight to the point. Delegates consistently comment on his ability to explain complex topics clearly, link the learning back to real sites, and build confidence in using modern equipment.
Behind the scenes there is also a commitment to ongoing support. Delegates are encouraged to keep in touch after the course, and we offer follow-up guidance to help you embed what you have learned back on site.
Training Equipment and Methods
We believe great engineers need great tools and realistic practice. All courses include practical sessions using modern surveying instruments such as:
- Leica Robotic Total Stations and Trimble instruments (others available on request).
- GNSS receivers for control networks and setting out.
- Automatic levels, laser levels, and dual grade lasers.
- Surveying and CAD software for data capture, coordinate adjustment, and setting out from digital models.
Exercises are based on real on-site challenges. Delegates learn how to transfer design data to the ground, check their work, and understand how calibration, control, datum points, and good QA practice impact accuracy.
Training Equipment in Action
All courses include plenty of hands-on time with modern instruments.
Swipe or watch the carousel to see examples of the equipment and field
exercises we use on our courses.
Benefits for Individuals and Companies
Our approach is designed to provide long-term professional benefits, not just a certificate at the end of the week.
- Improved accuracy, reliability, and quality assurance on projects.
- Increased confidence in site-based decision making.
- Stronger professional reputation for both individuals and companies.
- Ongoing support after the course to help embed learning on live sites.
Companies that invest in training see better efficiency, reduced rework, and stronger project outcomes. Research from the Construction Industry Institute (CII) shows that trained teams make fewer costly mistakes and deliver more consistent results (Source: CII).
Career Development and Progression
Completing a Setting Out and Surveying course with Site Skills Knowhow can open doors across the construction and civil engineering sectors.
Our former delegates work as Site Engineers, Setting Out Engineers, Survey Technicians, and Project Supervisors across the UK and overseas.
We can also advise on progression routes such as Level 3 Diplomas, CITB training paths, and other recognised qualifications to help you keep moving forward in your career.
Modern construction sites depend on precise setting out, robust survey control, and engineers who can bridge the gap between digital design and real-world construction.
Discuss Your Training Requirements🎓 Progress to a Recognised Qualification
Our courses align with ProQual Engineering Surveying qualifications (Level 3 & Level 5).
- Level 3 → CSCS Gold Card
- Level 5 → CSCS Black Card
No additional classroom training required.
After completing your course, you log your experience and complete the assessment pathway with support.
Ofqual-regulated awarding body
CSCS Gold Card
CSCS Black Card