Depending upon whose figures you believe, there are anywhere between 1.5 million and 2.5 million kilometres of underground services in the UK. These can be water pipes, gas, electricity cables, sewage pipes, telecoms, fibreoptic, and many other types. Naturally, we do not want our landscape covered in such things, so burying them underground makes complete sense.
However, what that means is that, obviously, they cannot be seen. But that doesn’t mean that they are not there. Your own home has four of the above mentioned as a minimum – electricity, water, telecoms, and sewage. But because they cannot be seen, it means that before you start any serious digging on any sort of project whatsoever, there needs to be a thorough survey of the site so that you can find out what is there and where all of these services run.
How do you find things that you cannot see? Well, there are several things that one can undertake to locate and identify what runs where, and this requires the use of certain tools that can help to do that.
Chief of these are the CAT (Cable Avoidance Tool) and Genny (Signal Generator). They both need to be used in combination in order to be certain, although theoretically you could use the CAT on its’ own if you know for sure that there are only electrical cables and that they have power running through them. For instance, if you search for cables powering streetlights at night you would find them, but not during the day when the lights are not on.
When you use the two tools together you can find many services that you could not do otherwise, because the signal generator generates a signal (surprise, surprise) that runs down a service – water pipe, gas, sewer, etc., – that can then be located by the CAT.
If all this sounds simple, it isn’t. And this is why operatives who need to locate underground services need the CAT and Genny course that we provide at Sygma Solutions. Our course teaches everything that you need to know about the CAT and Genny, and, most importantly, teaches you their limitations – and they do have some limitations – and what to do when such situations occur. If you are unaware of them, then you could commence digging and strike a cable that you believed was not there.
Our CAT and Genny course covers everything in the classroom and is then followed by practical work onsite so that operatives can be fully confident when they have completed the course and passed the exam.
If the course you are looking for has no dates or you would like a course built for your company please contact
enquiries@sygma-solutions.com for current availability and booking form
Open Days
Please contact us about open days
PAS128 Utility Mapping Training Modules mapped to CICES competencies
– 2 days
Module 1 – Pas 128 Level D &C training to include level 3 assessment – CICES GEUS01 A-D
– 3 Days
Module 2 – PAS128 Level B Training – can include Level 4 assessment – CICES GUES01 E-I
Please contact enquires@sygma-solutions.com for future dates and a booking form
2 Day Advanced EM Course (RD8100/8200 & VIVAX)
In depth course covering electromagnetic locators, theory and intensive practical on our real world training site.
Cost: £295 per person
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
1 Day Mala GPR Module 1 – Theory & Practical
Cost: Contact us for price (2 spaces F.O.C. with Mala GPR Purchase)
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
1 Day Mala GPR Module 2 – Post processing
Cost: Contact us for price (2 spaces F.O.C. with Mala GPR Purchase)
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
2 Day GPR – All Manufacturers
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
5 Day TSA & ICES Approved 5 Day Utility Mapping Course
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Location: Worcester
Dates: Contact Us
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
1 Day Public Genny & CAT Course
Cost: £175 plus VAT
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates:
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
Level 3 Utility Mapping Qualification – All Online
Cost: £275 PLUS REG FEE
Location: Online
Dates: To suit
Level 5 Diploma Utility Mapping Qualification – Online Workbooks – followed by assessment
Cost £1100 PLUS REG FEE
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre or your site
Dates: To suit
Open level 5 assessment dates at Sygma Solutions, Wigan
Level 5 Diploma Utility Mapping Qualification – in 5 days
Cost – contact us
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
2nd – 6th June 2025 Limited Availability
28th July – 1st August 2025 Limited Availability
Sygma PAS 128 Utility Surveyor Training Including Proqual Level 3 Utility Mapping and Surveying
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
28th April – 2nd May 2025 Limited Availability
12th – 16th May 2025 Limited Availability
14th – 18th July 2025 Limited Availability
11th – 15th August 2025
8th – 12th September 2025
29th September – 3rd October 2025
27th – 31st October 2025
24th – 28th November 2025
8th – 12th December 2025
Level 3 Utility Mapping and Surveying Public Course
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
28th – 29th April 2025 Limited Availability
12th – 13th May 2025 Limited Availability
14th – 15th July 2025 Limited Availability
11th – 12th August 2025
8th – 9th September 2025
29th – 20th September 2025
27th – 28th October 2025
24th – 25th November 2025
8th – 9th December 2025
GPS Course & Total Station Introduction
This is a 2 day dedicated GPS course with an introduction to Total Station
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
Please contact enquires@sygma-solutions.com for future dates and a booking form
Please contact:
enquiries@sygma-solutions.com for current availability and booking form for any course