Is the SMSTS Online for Beginners?
The SMSTS Online (or the SMSTS in-person) is the gold standard safety training course for site managers in the UK. It lasts a total of five days, is fully certified by the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board), and tends to be non-negotiable if you want to oversee a construction site.
But is the SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) designed for beginners? The short answer is no. While there aren’t really strict requirements for who can take the course, you would only really take the course if you’re either about to take on a site management role, or if you’ve just recently started in such a role. So, no- you can’t take the course without a considerable amount of construction experience. At the very least you would probably need to be a site supervisor in order to take the training.
In today’s blog, we’ll look at why the SMSTS is not designed for beginners, as well as what the course actually involves, and more.
What Does the SMSTS Course Involve?
The course is focused on the strategic management of health and safety on construction sites. It’s a big step beyond just basic safety awareness, teaching site managers (or soon-to-be site managers) how to develop, implement, monitor, and enforce safety management systems as effectively as possible.
Is SMSTS Online Suitable for First-Time Learners?
The online version of the course is delivered via a live, tutor-led virtual classroom, meaning the rigorous content and high interaction level are identical to the in-person course. While the format offers flexibility, making it suitable for professionals with demanding schedules, the material itself is explicitly designed for those with pre-existing site knowledge and managerial context. A first-time learner will struggle to understand the practical application required by the scenarios. For a beginner, a more suitable (and necessary) starting point is the CITB Health and Safety Awareness (HSA).
Do You Need Experience to Get Started?
Relevant experience is implicitly required for success. Candidates are expected to be operating, or about to operate, at a managerial level.
- Necessary Context: The course uses complex, real-world case studies involving multi-trade coordination, subcontractor management, and high-level legal decision-making. Without prior experience in these areas, the scenarios lack the necessary context, and are difficult to structure into a compliant management plan.
- Assessment Requirements: The final assessment requires candidates to apply the principles of the course to site management situations. A candidate with experience has the established framework and professional vocabulary to structure these answers based on proven site practice, a skill a beginner simply hasn’t had the time to develop.
Who Is the Course Designed For?
The course is explicitly designed for individuals with management-level responsibility on a construction site, including:
- Site Managers
- Contracts Managers
- Project Managers
- Client Representatives who manage projects
- Senior Estimators or Design Coordinators who oversee health and safety compliance for their divisions.
The curriculum assumes a level of professional maturity and a comprehensive understanding of the entire construction process. It’s a validation of leadership and strategic competence, not basic safety awareness.
Understanding Key Health and Safety Duties
The course dedicates substantial time to clarifying a manager’s non-delegable duties. You’ll learn to distinguish between the specific legal roles of the Client, the Principal Designer, and the Principal Contractor under CDM 2015. You’ll master the legal requirements for managing temporary works, controlling specific hazards like asbestos and dust exposure, and implementing effective risk communication strategies across a multi-contractor site.
This detailed focus on legal and administrative duties confirms why the course is strictly aimed at managers- they’re the ones ultimately held accountable when a severe incident occurs on site.
SMSTS Online: How the Assessments Work
Candidates are assessed throughout the course via participation and four core practical exercises. The final pass requirement involves:
- Continuous Assessment: Demonstrated understanding and active participation during all five days of the course.
- Core Exercises: Successful completion of all mandatory exercises, including preparing a Method Statement and conducting a Risk Assessment.
- Final Exam: A comprehensive written examination.
SMSTS Online for New Site Supervisors and Managers
For individuals who have recently moved into a site supervisor role (perhaps from a foreman position) or are transitioning into management, the SMSTS is the appropriate next step after completing the SSSTS (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme). The course then effectively builds on that supervisory foundation, providing the strategic manager’s perspective on legal liability, strategic planning, and overall site control. It’s essential for these new managers, but generally not for individuals who are new to construction itself. The online flexibility is a major benefit for these candidates, as it reduces time away from their demanding new roles.
What Skills Will You Gain from the Course?
Successful completion of the course equips you with five primary, high-value skills:
- Legal Interpretation: The certified ability to translate complex health and safety law (especially CDM) into actionable site procedures and policy.
- Strategic Planning: Skills in developing, implementing, and monitoring site-wide safety management systems.
- Risk Documentation: Mastery of developing legally robust Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) for complex operations.
- Auditing: Competence in conducting formal site safety audits and managing the corrective action process.
- Leadership: The authority and knowledge to lead a safety culture, and enforce compliance across subcontractors and multiple work teams.
SMSTS Online: Tools and Resources
It’s important to utilise the tools at your disposal to help you pass with ease. These include:
- Official CITB Publications: Thoroughly read the official books beforehand to grasp the legal context.
- Mock Exams: Use online mock exams extensively to identify knowledge gaps and practice the timing required for the final assessment.
- Tutor Q&A: Use the live virtual classroom to ask detailed questions about site terminology and practical application.
- Peer Networking: Connect with experienced managers in the virtual class to gain context and real-world examples to apply to the case studies.
SMSTS Online: Is It the Right Path for You?
The online format is the right path for you if you’re already a site supervisor or manager seeking a convenient, time-efficient way to formalise your training. It’s the wrong path for you if you have never worked on a construction site. The course is a vital investment in career progression, but it requires the solid foundation of experience to be successful. Choose the online format for the flexibility, but only after you have the practical site knowledge necessary to engage with the complex management content.
Continuing Professional Development After SMSTS
Completing the course is just the beginning of your professional growth. Many site managers continue their development through further training, such as the CITB Site Safety Plus courses, NEBOSH Construction Health and Safety qualifications, or specialised modules like Temporary Works Management and Environmental Awareness. These courses build on the foundation established by SMSTS, keeping your skills up-to-date with changing legislation and industry best practice. By committing to ongoing professional development, you ensure your knowledge remains relevant and your site management practices remain compliant.
Common Challenges Learners Face on SMSTS Online
Even experienced site managers can find parts of the course challenging. The intensive schedule, complex case studies, and the requirement to translate legal knowledge into practical site management solutions can test even seasoned professionals. Some learners struggle with scenario-based exercises that require multi-trade coordination or high-level decision-making. To overcome these challenges, it’s essential to actively participate in discussions, ask questions during the live sessions, and practise scenario exercises before the final assessment.
How SMSTS Online Boosts Career Opportunities
Holding the certification demonstrates to employers that you’re capable of managing site safety at a managerial level. This can open doors to positions such as Site Manager, Project Manager, Contracts Manager, or Health and Safety Advisor. The qualification signals competence, responsibility, and the ability to oversee multiple trades and teams safely. In addition, many organisations make SMSTS a mandatory requirement for managerial roles, so completing the course can be a key differentiator when applying for promotions or new positions in the construction industry.
Tips for Maximising Learning in the Virtual Classroom
The online format offers flexibility, but it also requires discipline. To make the most of SMSTS Online:
- Prepare in advance: Read official CITB publications before the course begins.
- Engage actively: Participate in discussions, ask questions, and take notes during live sessions.
- Practice exercises: Complete mock Risk Assessments and Method Statements to build confidence.
- Network with peers: Share experiences and insights with other learners to contextualise theoretical knowledge.
- Review regularly: Go over key topics daily to reinforce understanding and retention.
By following these strategies, learners can replicate the engagement of a physical classroom and successfully apply knowledge in practical scenarios.
Conclusion: Is the SMSTS Online for Beginners?
The course is not designed for beginners. It’s a rigorous, five-day management training programme that requires prior site experience to successfully absorb the material and pass the application-based assessment. While the online format offers unparalleled flexibility for experienced site supervisors and managers, newcomers should first complete the foundational CITB Health and Safety Awareness course and gain at least a few years of on-site experience before attempting the demanding SMSTS curriculum. The SMSTS is a professional benchmark, that must be earned with competence.
If you still have any questions regarding the course, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Phone – 020 3488 4472
