Is SMSTS Equivalent to NVQ?

No, the Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is not equivalent to an NVQ.

The Safety Training Scheme is a course, while a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) is work-based, and designed to demonstrate existing occupational competence.

While both can be valuable for construction professionals, they serve different purposes and should not be considered interchangeable.

SMSTS

What Does the Training Qualify You For?

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme is designed for construction professionals who have, or are about to take on, management responsibilities on site.

The course focuses on health and safety management, including relevant legislation, risk assessment, planning, and the responsibilities associated with managing construction activities.

It provides evidence that you’ve completed recognised safety management training. However, it does not assess your overall competence in carrying out a particular construction occupation.

How Does an NVQ Differ from the SMSTS?

An NVQ is a work-based qualification that assesses whether you can perform your job to the required occupational standards. The assessment involves gathering evidence from your normal work activities.

Your assessor will review photographs, workplace documents, witness testimonies, and other evidence within your portfolio. You may also participate in professional discussions or remote workplace observations.

The qualification demonstrates practical competence, rather than just confirming that you’ve completed a training course.

Tall yellow construction tower crane against a dramatic blue and orange dusk sky

Why SMSTS and NVQs Can Work Together

Although the two are different, they can complement one another.

A construction professional might hold an NVQ that demonstrates their occupational competence, while also completing the Site Management course to develop their understanding of health and safety management responsibilities.

For example, an individual progressing into a site management role may benefit from having a relevant management or construction qualification alongside recognised safety management training. The two credentials demonstrate different aspects of professional development.

Frequently Asked Questions