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Whether you’re already supervising teams or preparing to step into a leadership role on site, health and safety training isn’t just a box-ticking exercise, it’s essential. Accidents, legal risks, and poor site culture often stem from a lack of clear supervision. The Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) exists to fix that.
SSSTS gives you the confidence and knowledge to lead by example. It’s a recognised benchmark for site supervisors across the UK and is often required to work on major projects or with leading contractors.
More than that, it sets the foundation for long-term career development in construction management.
In this guide, we’ll explain what the SSSTS course covers, how it benefits your career, how it’s delivered, and how it fits into your long-term progression.
SSSTS is a two-day health and safety course accredited by CITB. It’s designed for supervisors or those about to step into a supervisory role within construction, civil engineering, or related industries.
SSSTS training gives you the essential knowledge to manage safety, protect your team, and meet legal responsibilities on site. It’s one of the most recognised construction training courses
The CITB SSSTS course is designed to give supervisors the tools they need to create a safe, compliant, and productive site. You’ll explore key areas of health and safety law, including your duties under current legislation.
You’ll also learn how to carry out effective risk assessments, manage site-specific hazards, and develop strong health and safety management systems. This includes practical knowledge around working at height, manual handling, emergency procedures, and first aid responsibilities.
We also cover Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, environmental awareness, and fire prevention. By the end of the course, you’ll have a clear understanding of what’s expected from a site supervisor and how to protect both your team and your business.
SSSTS takes place over two consecutive days. It’s available as a classroom course at one of our UK venues, as a live online course via Zoom, or as a tailored in-house option for your team.
Our online option is ideal if you want to avoid travel or need more flexibility. You’ll join a virtual classroom led by a CITB-approved trainer and access all materials digitally.
For businesses, in-house delivery is a cost-effective way to train several supervisors at once, with the chance to tailor discussions to your company’s needs.
Whichever format you choose, you’ll complete the same assessment and receive the same CITB-accredited certificate, valid for five years.
SSSTS gives you the recognised qualification you need to show you’re ready for supervisory responsibility. Employers trust this certification as evidence that you understand health and safety legislation and know how to apply it on site. It shows you’re serious about creating a safe working environment and leading by example.
More and more contractors expect supervisors to hold SSSTS. If you’re applying for a new role or looking to progress within your company, this course helps you meet key requirements. It gives you an edge over other candidates who may lack formal training.
With SSSTS training, you’ll feel more confident spotting hazards, managing risks, and taking action when needed. You’ll understand how to support your team, promote safe working practices, and reduce the chance of accidents. That makes your site safer and more efficient.
Once you pass the course, your certificate stays valid for five years. You don’t need to repeat the full course during that time. When it’s time to renew, you can complete a shorter SSSTS Refresher course to keep your qualification up to date.
This course is built for those already supervising on site, or preparing to step into that role. If you’re a Site Supervisor, Foreperson, or Ganger, SSSTS gives you the knowledge you need to carry out your responsibilities safely and effectively.
SSSTS qualifies you to supervise site activity and manage health and safety within your team. However, it doesn’t cover the wider responsibilities of a site manager.
If you’re moving towards a management role, we recommend progressing to the SMSTS course, which covers site-wide planning and leadership.
If you’re planning to move into a site management role, SSSTS is the right place to start. It builds the foundation for understanding health and safety responsibilities on site.
Once you’ve gained some experience, you can take the next step with our SMSTS course, which goes into greater depth and prepares you for full site management duties.
While SSSTS isn’t a direct route to a CSCS card, many employers request it for supervisory roles. If you’re applying for a Gold Supervisory card, having SSSTS on your CV shows that you’ve completed recognised safety training and are serious about your responsibilities on site.
At the end of the course, you’ll complete a multiple-choice exam and deliver a short toolbox talk to your group. These tasks help show that you’ve understood the course content and can apply it in real-world scenarios.
When you pass, we’ll issue your CITB SSSTS certificate within 6 to 8 weeks. It stays valid for five years.
The SSSTS course is competitively priced and offers excellent value for money, considering the length of the qualification. If your company is CITB-registered, you may be eligible to claim grant funding to cover part of the cost. Speak to us if you need help checking your eligibility.
We offer this course in three flexible formats. You can choose classroom learning at one of our nationwide centres, attend remotely through Zoom, or book an in-house course for your team. To enquire about bespoke delivery, just complete our in-house training form.
The course runs over two consecutive days, typically lasting 7.5 hours per day including breaks.
Most delegates pass on their first attempt. If you don’t, we’ll explain your options and support you through reassessment.
Yes. You can attend the full course remotely via Zoom, with all materials and assessments completed digitally.
SSSTS is for supervisors and takes 2 days. SMSTS is for site managers and takes 5 days.
Yes. Your certificate is valid for five years. Before it expires, book our SSSTS Refresher course to renew your qualification and keep your knowledge up to date.
We offer expert-led SSSTS courses across the UK, with options to train in person, online, or in-house. Visit our SSSTS course page to view upcoming dates and book your place today.
If you’re unsure whether SSSTS is right for you or want help arranging group training, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re happy to help you find the right training for your goals.
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