What NVQ Level is SMSTS?

The SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) is the UK construction industry’s most widely respected training course for site managers.

It’s not an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification), and is not directly equivalent to any specific NVQ level. The Site Management Safety Training Scheme and the NVQ are two different types of qualifications that serve distinct, though complementary, purposes within the construction skills framework.

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The Distinction: Training vs. Competence

The fundamental difference lies in their function. The Site Management course is a training certificate. Its focus is on what you know and what you’ve been taught. Conversely, an NVQ is a competence certificate. It assesses what you do in a real-world working environment (e.g., NVQ Level 6 in Construction Site Management). An NVQ proves you can apply the knowledge consistently; the SMSTS proves you have the knowledge.

SMSTS: The Academic Benchmark

While the course isn’t an NVQ, it is recognised by professional bodies. It sits within the CITB Site Safety Plus scheme, and is often benchmarked against a Level 3 qualification in terms of academic rigor, although this is informal.

More importantly, the course is frequently listed as an essential prerequisite for managerial roles. It acts as the necessary educational background that allows managers to then pursue higher-level, work-based qualifications. For example, completing the course demonstrates you have the required knowledge to confidently tackle the practical assessment needed for a Construction Management NVQ.

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Conclusion: What NVQ Level is SMSTS?

The course is not an NVQ and does not hold a specific NVQ level. It’s a Level 3/4 benchmark training certificate that proves knowledge of site safety management. It is, however, an essential qualification that should be combined with a high-level Construction Management NVQ (e.g., Level 6) to fully certify your competence.