S9 / S009 Pole Stepping Training
Openreach PIA S009 Pole Stepping on Congested Poles
Develop task-specific skills for pole stepping on congested Openreach poles. This one-day Openreach PIA S9 / S009 course combines technical instruction with practical training at our centre in Crewe, Cheshire. Explore pole congestion, upper-envelope requirements, relevant measurements and working around existing overhead assets. Practise the taught activity before completing knowledge and practical assessments. The course is intended for overhead operatives who already hold the required safety and cabling accreditations and need this additional competence for their assigned work.
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Course at a glance
Theory and practical, hands-on training
1 Day.
Duration
Fibre Optics Training Centre
Crewe, Cheshire
CW1 6BG
Location
Qualified overhead operatives and PIA contractors
Who it’s for
Openreach S009
PIA Pole Stepping on Congested Poles
Qualification
What you will be able to do
On successful completion, delegates should be able to:
✓ Explain the purpose of Openreach PIA S009 and how this task-specific accreditation relates to existing overhead responsibilities.
✓ Recognise how cables, attachments and apparatus contribute to pole congestion and affect the space available for the activity.
✓ Review the pole condition, markings and existing equipment relevant to preparation for the supervised practical training exercise.
✓ Identify pre-access checks and connect the planned task with current overhead safety competence and the trainer’s instructions.
✓ Explain the upper-envelope terminology used during training and identify the reference points relevant to the practical exercise.
✓ Describe the measurements taught during the course and explain why they are checked before and during the activity.
✓ Relate available working space to the positions of existing assets, recognising constraints that require clarification before work proceeds.
✓ Identify the scope of the pole-stepping task and distinguish the permitted activity from alterations outside the accreditation’s requirements.
✓ Review the access arrangements and personal equipment specified for the exercise, following the practical instructions provided by the trainer.
✓ Maintain appropriate positioning and control while practising the taught activity around existing cables, attachments and other overhead assets.
✓ Apply the pole-stepping methods taught during supervised practical training, using the relevant equipment and approved course guidance.
✓ Recognise defects, damage or restrictions identified during the exercise and communicate concerns before continuing with the planned activity.
✓ Explain the checks undertaken and demonstrate the knowledge needed to understand the purpose and limits of the assigned task.
✓ Demonstrate the practical competence required by the current assessment arrangements, completing each required component successfully to achieve accreditation.
✓ Keep qualification records current and identify separate training needs for cabling, surveying or rescue according to your assigned responsibilities.
Course modules and practical training
This S9 / S009 course combines technical instruction and practical training, connecting preparation, pole congestion and upper-envelope requirements with the taught pole-stepping activity and assessment.
Pole congestion and task preparation
Understand how cables, attachments and apparatus affect the space available on an overhead pole. Discuss the purpose of S009 and how pole stepping relates to a congested working area. Connect the planned task with the existing infrastructure, identifying what needs to be checked before practical work begins. Consider the operative’s responsibilities and the limits of this additional accreditation alongside existing safety and cabling competence.
Scope of S9 / S009 accreditation
Review the formal S009 – PIA Pole Stepping on Congested Poles title and the familiar S9 course name. Understand that the programme addresses a specific overhead task rather than every type of pole alteration or installation. Relate the course to your assigned role and identify when another accreditation or further clarification is needed.
Pole condition and pre-access checks
Discuss the pole condition, markings and existing equipment relevant to the practical exercise. Review how your overhead safety training informs preparation for this activity. Recognise restrictions, defects or uncertainty that need to be raised with the trainer before proceeding.
Risk assessment and work preparation
Consider the hazards associated with the intended task and the controls needed for the training exercise. Review nearby infrastructure, existing assets, equipment selection and the sequence of work. Discuss how site conditions can affect access and positioning, and why a task should be stopped or referred when the required conditions cannot be met. Link preparation to the trainer’s instructions and your existing overhead competence.
Understanding the upper envelope
Explore the upper-envelope terminology used in the course and its relationship to attachments near the top of the pole. Identify the relevant area and reference points within the training scenario. Consider why congestion matters when assessing available space and how existing equipment positions affect the planned activity. Connect technical explanations with practical observation, while keeping the interpretation within the current approved course guidance.
Measurements and available working space
Review the measurements taught for the pole-stepping task and the reasons for checking them. Relate reference points to the space available around existing overhead assets. Practise explaining what is being measured and how the result informs the exercise. Use the trainer’s current approved guidance for the applicable limits and methods, and raise questions where the situation or measurement is unclear. Numerical requirements are taught within the course.
Personal equipment and positioning
Review the personal equipment and access arrangements established for the practical exercise. Connect appropriate positioning and control with your existing overhead safety skills. Follow the trainer’s instructions and check your joining instructions for the PPE and personal equipment required for attendance.
Pole-stepping methods and supervised practice
Connect the technical teaching with the specific pole-stepping activity demonstrated by the trainer. Work through the approved sequence under supervision, maintaining control and protecting existing infrastructure. Practise the taught task, check the relevant measurements and discuss any uncertainty before progressing. The current approved training and assessment pack determines the method, equipment and permitted scope. Feedback helps delegates identify aspects requiring further attention before they demonstrate the activity independently during assessment.
Protecting existing assets and recognising restrictions
Consider how the pole-stepping exercise interacts with the pole, cables, attachments and other apparatus already present. Recognise why care and observation are needed throughout the activity. Discuss defects or damage identified during preparation or practical work, and the importance of communicating them promptly. Distinguish the taught activity from changes outside the course scope. Identify situations requiring work to stop or further advice before proceeding.
Knowledge and practical assessment
Prepare to demonstrate both understanding and practical competence against the applicable assessment requirements. Explain the purpose of the task, the checks made and the relevant measurements. Apply the methods taught during training within the approved assessment arrangements. The trainer explains the assessment process and the required criteria; course attendance alone does not establish competence. Each delegate must successfully complete the required components to achieve accreditation.
Review, records and further training
Review the completed practical exercise and the feedback provided during training. Discuss keeping accreditation records current and checking your certificate expiry date. Identify separate training routes for overhead cabling, surveying or rescue according to your responsibilities. Contact the training team if you need guidance on eligibility, renewal or the next appropriate course.
Delegates complete knowledge and practical assessments covering understanding of the course requirements and the ability to carry out the relevant task within the approved assessment arrangements. The trainer explains the process before assessment. Attendance alone does not establish competence, and each required component must be completed successfully.
Successful delegates achieve Openreach S009 – PIA Pole Stepping on Congested Poles accreditation, certificated by Smart Awards. Accreditation is valid for three years from successful completion. Keep your certificate and qualification records current and contact the training team before expiry to discuss renewal. This task-specific accreditation sits alongside your existing safety competence, assigned role and employer’s arrangements for the work.
Assessment and qualification
Who should attend?
This S9 / S009 pole-stepping course is intended for overhead operatives who already meet the entry requirements and need additional competence for work on congested Openreach poles. Employers should select delegates according to their existing qualifications and the tasks assigned to them.
Suitable for:
Overhead cabling operatives adding task-specific pole-stepping responsibilities to an existing installation role and seeking assessment of the relevant practical competence.
Fibre deployment engineers whose planned work on congested Openreach infrastructure requires the additional S009 accreditation alongside their existing overhead qualifications.
Communications provider contractors preparing eligible operatives for the pole-stepping activity within their assigned responsibilities on the Openreach overhead network.
FTTP team members whose employers have identified a training requirement arising from congestion, existing attachments and the space available on overhead poles.
Experienced pole workers who meet the entry conditions and need to demonstrate the knowledge and practical skills required for this specific accreditation.
Overhead engineers seeking a clearer understanding of upper-envelope terminology, relevant measurements and the limits of the task covered by S009.
Supervisors and employers arranging training for qualified team members, checking individual eligibility and selecting courses appropriate to the work being undertaken.
Choose this course for the specific congested-pole activity covered by S009. For overhead cable installation, route surveying or rescue responsibilities, consider the appropriate separate course. Speak to the training team if you are unsure which programme matches your qualifications and intended duties.
Entry requirements
Delegates must hold valid Smart Awards SA001 Overhead Safety and Openreach PIA S8 / S008 Overhead Cabling accreditations. A valid NOPS card is also compulsory. Check these before booking and provide the relevant certificate and card details to the training team for verification.
Previous overhead cabling experience is beneficial because this programme builds on existing competence. Additional access training may be relevant to the equipment and activity involved. If you hold a TETRA award, give the training team its exact code and title so its relevance can be checked.
Read your joining instructions before attending and bring the PPE and personal equipment specified for S009. Contact us in advance if you need help understanding the practical participation requirements or have learning, accessibility or other support needs.
Alternative qualifications, expired records or incomplete evidence must be discussed with the training team before attendance. If you are unsure whether your current accreditations meet the requirements, contact us before selecting a date.
Why train with Fibre Optics Training UK?
4 Great Reasons to Train With Us
1. Train with an authorised Openreach PIA provider
Train with an authorised Openreach PIA training provider delivering task-specific training for eligible overhead operatives. Our S9 / S009 programme connects the relevant technical requirements with practical preparation and assessment, helping delegates understand the accreditation they are working towards and the responsibilities it covers.
2. Build confidence through hands-on training
Connect technical instruction with supervised practice at our training centre in Crewe. Work through preparation, pole congestion, measurements and the taught pole-stepping activity using the training arrangements established by your trainer. Discuss questions and review feedback before completing the required practical assessment.
3. Receive support with course suitability
Speak to our team about prerequisites, certificate evidence and your intended overhead duties before booking. We help delegates and employers identify the appropriate programme for their existing qualifications, explain attendance requirements and discuss practical participation needs, so the training selected fits the competence required for the assigned work.
4. Plan your next training step
Build on existing overhead safety and cabling competence with this additional task-specific accreditation. Related programmes cover separate surveying, installation and rescue responsibilities. Discuss further training according to your role and employer’s requirements, keeping each course’s entry conditions and scope in view when planning your development.
Choosing the right S9 pole stepping training
Is this the right course for my experience level?
Choose S9 / S009 if you already hold the required overhead safety and cabling accreditations and your assigned role includes pole stepping on congested Openreach infrastructure. This is an additional task-specific course for eligible operatives. Check your current certificates and NOPS card, then discuss your intended work with the training team if you need advice about suitability.
When should I choose S8 or S5 training instead?
S8 / S008 covers overhead cabling, while S5 / S005 addresses overhead surveying. These programmes serve different responsibilities and do not replace the specific competence covered by S009. S8 is also a published prerequisite for this course. Select training according to the work you will undertake, your existing qualifications and the requirements identified by your employer before booking.
What is the difference between attending and qualifying?
Attendance develops understanding and provides supervised practical experience. Achieving S009 requires successful completion of the knowledge and practical assessments. The trainer explains the relevant requirements during the course. Completing another overhead programme or having previous experience does not automatically establish competence for this task-specific accreditation.
Can I discuss attendance before deciding?
Yes. Contact the training team to discuss the course scope, eligibility evidence and any support needs before booking. Public training takes place at our centre in Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 6BG. Tell us your intended duties, current qualifications and practical participation questions so we can help you decide whether this programme is appropriate for you.
How does S009 support my next training step?
S009 adds competence for a specific congested-pole activity to your existing overhead qualifications. Further training may cover surveying, cabling or rescue according to your assigned responsibilities. Keep the accreditation’s scope and certificate expiry date in view, and speak to our team about separate progression courses and the applicable renewal arrangements.
Career progression
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Related training and equipment
Prerequisites and further overhead training
SA001 Overhead Safety — a mandatory prerequisite; check your award is current before booking.
S8 / S008 Overhead Cabling — the overhead cabling accreditation required before attending S009.
S5 Overhead Surveying — a separate progression route for surveying responsibilities.
SA024 Pole Top Rescue — separate rescue training; check its own prerequisites before booking.
Explore relevant equipment
Check your S009 joining instructions for the PPE and personal equipment required for practical participation. Discuss access equipment, helmet, footwear, gloves and eye protection with the training team before attending if anything is unclear. Equipment requirements must match the practical arrangements for your course.
Visit FOT and plan your stay
Contact FOT to arrange a Free Open Day or discuss learner support. See travel and accommodation information for attending our Crewe centre.
Training for your team
Explore corporate training for a programme shaped around your team’s experience and working requirements.
S9 / S009 pole stepping FAQs
1. What does the S9 pole stepping course cover?
S9 training focuses on the additional competence needed for the pole-stepping task on congested Openreach infrastructure. It is intended for eligible overhead operatives rather than people starting from scratch. Teaching combines technical instruction and practical participation, followed by the required assessments. Before booking, explain your intended duties to FOT so the team can check course suitability and distinguish this programme from overhead cabling, surveying or rescue training.
2. Are S9 and S009 the same course?
FOT uses S9 as the familiar short name for this course. Smart Awards lists the formal accreditation as S009 – PIA Pole Stepping on Congested Poles. The page therefore uses both forms to help learners recognise the programme and its certificate title. If an employer requests a particular accreditation, check the exact code and title with the training team before booking rather than relying solely on a shortened course name.
3. Who should attend S009 training?
The course is intended for communications provider engineers and contractors whose work includes the relevant congested-pole activity. Suitable delegates may include overhead cabling operatives and fibre deployment engineers adding this responsibility to an existing role. FOT's published entry conditions require current safety and overhead cabling accreditation. Employers should check each delegate's duties, qualifications and practical participation needs before booking, so the training corresponds to the work they will actually undertake.
4. What qualifications do I need before attending?
FOT currently requires valid Smart Awards SA001 Overhead Safety, valid Openreach PIA S8 Overhead Cabling accreditation and a valid NOPS card for S9 attendance. These are mandatory published conditions. Previous overhead experience is useful, while additional access awards depend on the work and equipment involved. Send your certificate and card details to the training team before booking if you need clarification about validity, an alternative award or an incomplete record.
5. Does the course include practical training?
Yes. FOT's published S9 course includes practical participation alongside technical instruction. Delegates use the training exercise to connect the course requirements with the activity being assessed and to clarify questions before assessment. The trainer explains the practical arrangements and the equipment to be used. Read your joining instructions carefully and contact FOT in advance if you are unsure about participation requirements or the personal equipment you must bring with you.
6. How is S009 assessed?
The course includes knowledge and practical assessments, so delegates must demonstrate understanding as well as practical competence. The assessment arrangements are explained during training, and attendance alone does not guarantee accreditation. Each delegate must successfully complete the required components. If you need support with understanding the assessment process, contact the training team before booking so your requirements can be discussed and any appropriate arrangements considered in advance.
7. How long is accreditation valid, and how do I renew it?
S9 / S009 accreditation is valid for three years from successful completion. Check the expiry date shown on your certificate and keep your qualification records current. Contact the training team before expiry to discuss the renewal route applicable to your circumstances and whether refresher training is appropriate. If your award has already expired, explain this before booking so the team can advise you about the assessment and training arrangements required.
8. What PPE and equipment should I bring?
Bring the PPE and any personal equipment specified in your S009 joining instructions. The exact list must match the practical access method used for your course, so it should be confirmed with FOT rather than copied from another programme. Ask about the required personal access equipment, helmet, footwear, gloves, eye protection and clothing before attending. If anything is missing or unsuitable, contact the team early to clarify arrangements for practical participation.
9. Where is the course held, and how much does it cost?
S9 / S009 is a one-day course costing £150 excluding VAT at its training centre in Crewe, Cheshire. The address is Unit 2, First Avenue, Crewe, CW1 6BG. Check the booking section for the current fee and available dates, then follow the arrival details in your joining instructions. For company groups or questions about attendance, contact the training team before booking to discuss the arrangements relevant to your delegates.
10. How do I book, and does passing authorise all pole work?
Select an available date and the number of places required, then follow the course booking process. Check every delegate's eligibility first and contact FOT if evidence needs clarification. Successful completion demonstrates competence within the accreditation's scope; it does not grant unrestricted permission to undertake every pole-based activity. Employers must still ensure that the operative's role, current qualifications, access arrangements and the requirements for the specific job have all been addressed.