Choosing between SMSTS and SSSTS usually comes down to what you are responsible for on site. If you supervise a team and check that work is carried out safely, SSSTS is generally the more suitable course. If you plan and manage safety across a site, SMSTS is usually the better fit.
An Online SSSTS Course can be a practical option when you need supervisor training without travelling to a classroom. Before booking, though, check what your employer expects and whether the course matches your responsibilities. A job title alone does not always tell the whole story.
What Is the CITB SSSTS Course?
SSSTS stands for Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme. The CITB SSSTS Course takes two days and is designed for people who already supervise construction work or are about to take on that responsibility.
It covers the safety knowledge supervisors need to oversee everyday site activities, including risk assessment, control measures, communication and relevant health and safety responsibilities.
Picture a working supervisor leading a small team. Before work starts, they need to understand the agreed method, explain the precautions and check that people follow them. If conditions change, they must recognise when the task needs reviewing.
SSSTS supports this kind of practical supervision. It helps you understand what to look for, how to raise concerns and how your role fits into the site’s wider safety arrangements.
What Is the SMSTS Course?
SMSTS stands for Site Management Safety Training Scheme. This five day course is aimed at people with wider responsibility for planning, organising and managing construction activities.
The content includes health and safety law, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, site setup, risk assessments, occupational health and environmental issues.
A site manager might need to coordinate several subcontractors, consider how different activities affect each other and arrange suitable controls before work begins. Their decisions can affect the whole project rather than one team or work area.
SMSTS addresses those broader management responsibilities. It is the more relevant option when your role involves planning and monitoring site safety across several activities.
SMSTS vs SSSTS at a Glance
| Course detail | SSSTS | SMSTS |
| Main audience | Site supervisors and aspiring supervisors | Site managers and aspiring managers |
| Full course duration | Two days | Five days |
| Main focus | Supervising safe working practices | Planning and managing site safety |
| Certificate validity | Five years | Five years |
| Refresher duration | One day | Two days |
The longer course is not automatically the right choice. Start with the work you are expected to do, then confirm the training requirement with your employer.
Which Course Fits Your Responsibilities?
When SSSTS Makes Sense
SSSTS is often suitable for foremen, team leaders and working supervisors who oversee operatives and monitor how tasks are carried out.
For example, you might brief a team before a shift, check that agreed precautions are in place and report problems to the site manager. These are supervisory tasks, so SSSTS is likely to be relevant.
If a promotion is coming up, ask for the responsibilities in writing. That makes it easier to choose training that supports the role you will actually hold.
When SMSTS Is More Suitable
SMSTS is usually more appropriate when you organise work across a site, coordinate contractors or take responsibility for overall safety planning.
Some supervisors have responsibilities that extend into management. If you regularly make decisions about site arrangements, sequencing or several teams, discuss whether SMSTS would better match your work.
Check any client or main contractor requirements too. Booking the shorter course can be a false saving if it does not meet the expectations attached to your role.
How Does an Online SSSTS Course Work?
An Online SSSTS Course uses a live virtual classroom, with a tutor leading scheduled sessions. High Aims Training delivers its online SSSTS training through Zoom, so you can participate from a suitable location without travelling to the training centre.
You still need to attend the full course and take part in the learning and assessment. Online delivery does not mean watching recordings whenever you have spare time.
Set aside a quiet space and check your internet connection, camera and microphone before the first session. Ask the provider about identification, joining instructions and equipment requirements.
You can review the Online SSSTS Course page for delivery information and available dates.
When Do You Need an SSSTS Refresher?
An SSSTS certificate lasts five years. The one day SSSTS Refresher is the renewal route for eligible certificate holders and should be completed before the existing certificate expires.
The CITB SSSTS Refresher revisits supervisory safety knowledge and gives learners an opportunity to discuss how it applies to current site situations.
Check the expiry date early. Leaving renewal until the final week gives you little room if a course is full or work commitments change.
If your certificate has expired, contact the provider to confirm the required route before paying. Do not assume you can still join a refresher. You can find renewal details on the CITB SSSTS Refresher page.
FAQs
Do I Need SSSTS Before Taking SMSTS?
There is no formal requirement to complete SSSTS first. CITB recommends SSSTS for people without previous health and safety management experience. Choose according to your experience, responsibilities and employer’s requirements.
Can I Complete SSSTS Online?
Yes. SSSTS can be delivered remotely through a live virtual classroom. You must attend the scheduled sessions and meet the course requirements. It is not a course you complete through independent video viewing.
Does SSSTS Qualify Me to Manage a Construction Site?
SSSTS focuses on supervision. If you are taking responsibility for overall site management, SMSTS is generally the more relevant training. Either certificate should be considered alongside your experience and the requirements of the role.
Do I Need Both SMSTS and SSSTS?
Not automatically. The right course depends on your responsibilities and any employer or contractor requirements. Ask what certificate is required for the position before booking either course.
How Long Do the Certificates Last?
Both SSSTS and SMSTS certificates are valid for five years. Their refresher courses have different durations, so check the correct renewal course and complete it before your certificate expires.
Choosing Your Next Step
Look at your daily responsibilities before comparing course dates. Supervising a team generally points towards SSSTS, while planning and managing site safety generally points towards SMSTS.
For course information and help checking the available options, visit High Aims Training. Confirm the course with your employer, then choose a date that lets you give the training your full attention.
