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Setting Out & Surveying Course UK | CITB & ProQual Training


Learn practical setting out and site surveying skills using real construction equipment. Gain the experience needed to start or progress your career as a Site Engineer.


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What Is a Setting Out & Surveying Course?


Setting out and surveying are essential skills used on construction sites to ensure buildings, roads, and infrastructure are built in the correct position and to the correct dimensions.
A setting out & surveying course teaches you how to measure, mark, and control positions on-site using professional equipment such as levels and total stations. These skills are critical for Site Engineers, Groundworkers, and anyone involved in construction layout and accuracy.
Setting up a traverse prism
On this course, you will learn how to:

  • Transfer designs from drawings onto real ground positions
  • Use levelling equipment to establish heights and benchmarks
  • Set out lines, points, and grids accurately
  • Work with total stations and robotic total stations
  • Apply surveying techniques used daily on active construction sites

    Unlike theory-based training, this course focuses on hands-on practical experience, giving you the confidence to use surveying equipment in real-world situations.

  • Setting out plays a key role in construction accuracy and compliance. You can learn more about industry standards on the CITB website.

    Why Setting Out & Surveying Skills Are In Demand


    The construction industry in the UK continues to face a shortage of skilled site engineers and surveying professionals. Accurate setting out is critical to ensuring projects are completed correctly, on time, and within budget.

    As a result, employers are actively looking for individuals who can demonstrate practical experience using surveying equipment and working on-site.

    Learning setting out and surveying skills can open up opportunities in roles such as:


    With the right training and experience, these roles offer strong career progression and long-term job security within the construction industry.
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    What You Will Learn

    • Levelling & Taping (Mon–Tue)
    • Total Station Training
    • Robotic Total Station
    • Real site workflows
    • Data capture & layout

    This course is designed to give you practical, job-ready skills used on real construction sites.

    👉 See the equipment you’ll train with on our equipment training page.
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    Who Is This Course For?

    • Beginners
    • Labourers → Site Engineers
    • Engineers upgrading skills
    • Companies training staff

    Train Using Real Site Equipment


    A key part of this course is learning how to use the same equipment you’ll encounter on real construction sites.

    You won’t just learn theory — you’ll gain practical experience using industry-standard surveying tools, including total stations and robotic total stations, which are widely used across the UK construction industry.

    During the course, you will:

  • Set up and operate total stations
  • Carry out accurate measurements and data capture
  • Learn how to input and transfer site data
  • Understand real site workflows and procedures
  • Practice using equipment in realistic working scenarios

    This hands-on approach ensures you leave the course with job-ready skills, not just classroom knowledge.

    👉 Learn more about modern surveying equipment on the Leica Geosystems website.

    If you’d like to see the full range of equipment used during training, visit our
    👉 equipment we train on page.
  • CITB & ProQual Qualifications


    This course supports progression into recognised qualifications such as ProQual Engineering Surveying Diplomas and aligns with UK construction training standards set by CITB.

    The training includes CITB Assured courses, ensuring recognised industry standards and quality training. These practical skills can also support progression into formal qualifications such as Level 3 and Level 5 Engineering Surveying.

    Completing this course can help you:

  • Start a career as a Trainee or Junior Site Engineer
  • Progress into more advanced engineering roles
  • Build the practical evidence required for qualifications
  • Improve your employability within the construction industry

    For those looking to take the next step, you can learn more about recognised qualifications on our
    👉 ProQual Engineering Surveying qualifications page.
  • ProQual Gold Card

    Whether you are starting from scratch or upgrading your existing skills, this course provides a strong foundation for long-term career development.
    Worried about the cost? You may be eligible for funding or financial support through CITB or employer schemes. 👉 Learn more on our construction training funding and grants page.

    Why Choose Site Skills Knowhow?

    • Hands-on training
    • Small groups
    • Real equipment
    • Instructor experience
    ✔ Trusted by construction professionals across the UK
    ✔ Hands-on training using real equipment
    ✔ Clear pathway into site engineering careers

    Ready to Start Your Career in Site Engineering?

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