SMSTS Certificate: What to Expect
Construction is a demanding industry, one where every project depends on a proficient, experienced site manager. They’re responsible for orchestrating operations, mitigating risks, ensuring everyone’s adhering to health and safety regulations, and, ultimately, ensuring that projects are completed both on time, and within budget. For professionals currently working in the role of site manager, or who are well on their way to such a role, the SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) is crucial. But what can candidates expect when obtaining their SMSTS certificate?
In today’s blog, we’ll be breaking down how exactly the course works, who should be attending the SMSTS, the benefits of holding this certification, the assessment process, and more.
Introduction to the SMSTS Course
The SMSTS course is a nationally recognised training programme developed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), and specifically designed to equip site managers, agents, and other industry professionals with the essential knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage health, safety, and environmental aspects on construction sites.
The course covers critical health and safety principles, relevant legislation, and industry standards. It empowers participants to ensure legal compliance, and ultimately foster a safe working environment for all personnel.
A comprehensive five-day programme, the SMSTS is the gold standard for site management safety training in the UK.
Why the SMSTS Certificate is Essential for Site Managers
This certificate is essential for site managers. It’s become the de facto industry mandate across the UK, and while not a direct legal requirement imposed by statute, it’s widely acknowledged by major contractors and main clients as the benchmark for site management health and safety competence.
Many significant construction projects operate a strict policy wherein without a valid SMSTS certificate (and the corresponding CSCS Black Manager Card), you could be denied site access. It assures employers that the site manager possesses a comprehensive and current understanding of health and safety legislation, risk management, and also how to effectively implement safety systems in a complex operational environment. This makes SMSTS holders invaluable assets, significantly reducing an employer’s risk and demonstrating a serious commitment to safety.
Who Should Attend the SMSTS Training
The training is specifically tailored for individuals who are, or are about to become, responsible for planning, organising, monitoring, controlling, and administering groups of staff within a construction environment. This includes a broad range of professionals beyond just site managers, such as project managers, contracts managers, foremen, quantity surveyors, planners, and engineers who have significant site-based responsibilities. Essentially, if your role involves overseeing any part of a construction workforce and ensuring their health and safety, this course will be highly relevant for you.
Benefits of Holding an SMSTS Certificate
Holding the certificate can unlock a number of benefits for construction professionals. Firstly, it provides enhanced career prospects, as many employers now view it as a minimum requirement for management roles, thus expanding your job opportunities.
It contributes to legal compliance, ensuring you understand your obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act and CDM Regulations, reducing risks for yourself and your employer. Also, it leads to improved site management practices, equipping you with better risk assessment, communication, and decision-making skills. Ultimately, acquiring this certificate enables you to create safer, more efficient, and more productive construction sites, benefiting everyone involved.
Course Structure and Daily Breakdown
The SMSTS course is delivered over five full days of training, accumulating a total of 37.5 hours of instruction. This can be undertaken as a consecutive five-day block, or in a day-release format, such as one day per week over five consecutive weeks, depending on the training provider’s schedule and your availability. Each day is meticulously structured to cover specific modules and topics, often incorporating a mix of presentations, group exercises, case studies, and discussions. You’ll engage in interactive learning that builds your understanding progressively. The comprehensive nature of the course requires full attendance across all five days to be eligible for certification.
Key Topics Covered in the SMSTS Certificate Course
The content of the SMSTS course provides a deep dive into critical aspects of health, safety, welfare, and environmental issues on construction sites. Key topics covered by the training include: an in-depth understanding of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2015; comprehensive training in risk assessments and method statements; managing health hazards such as asbestos, dust, noise, and vibration; managing specific safety hazards like working at height, excavations, confined spaces, and demolition.
The course also covers fire prevention, electrical safety, managing plant and equipment, and promoting effective communication and leadership in fostering a positive health and safety culture on site.
Understanding the CITB Requirements
The SMSTS course is part of the CITB Site Safety Plus scheme. This means it adheres to stringent standards set by CITB.
To achieve the certificate, candidates are required to attend all five days of the course, and actively participate in all sessions and exercises. There is a continuous assessment throughout the course, which culminates in a final examination. CITB requires training providers to use specific course materials and to maintain a high quality of instruction. The certificate itself is issued by CITB upon successful completion, ensuring its national recognition and validity across the UK construction industry. Whether you take the course in-person or online, the certificate you receive is exactly the same.
How the SMSTS Certificate Can Enhance Your Career Prospects
Holding this certificate can significantly enhance your career prospects, by providing formal recognition of your high-level competence in site health and safety management. It is often seen as a minimum requirement for site management roles, opening doors to more desirable positions and projects that might otherwise be inaccessible.
The qualification boosts your employability, making you a more attractive candidate to employers who prioritise safety and compliance. Furthermore, it serves as a robust foundation for progression to more senior management roles within construction, demonstrating your commitment to continuous professional development and leadership in a critical field.
Assessment and Examination Process
The assessment for the SMSTS course is comprehensive, and includes both continuous assessment throughout the five days, and a final examination. Candidates are expected to actively participate in all classroom discussions, group exercises, and practical scenarios. The final assessment typically consists of a multiple-choice examination. This exam usually comprises 25 questions, with a specific number of ‘safety-critical’ questions that need to be answered correctly. The overall pass mark for the SMSTS exam is 81%, and if the initial attempt is unsuccessful, candidates usually have an opportunity for a re-sit.
Validity and Renewal of the SMSTS Certificate
Once you successfully complete the SMSTS course and you’ve passed the assessment, your certificate is valid for a period of five years from its issue date. To maintain continuous validity of your qualification and avoid any lapse, you must complete the SMSTS Refresher course before your current certificate expires. It’s highly recommended to book and complete the two-day Refresher course within the final three to six months of your certificate’s validity. If you allow your certificate to expire, you will be required to retake the full five-day SMSTS course again, which is more time-consuming and potentially more costly. Proactive renewal is crucial for uninterrupted site access and career progression.
Tips to Successfully Complete the Course
To successfully complete the SMSTS course, you should approach the course with an active, and engaged, mindset. Participate in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to group exercises.
Familiarise yourself with the course content beforehand, by reviewing any pre-course materials provided by your training provider. Take thorough notes during the sessions, and make sure you’re reviewing them regularly. Utilise any mock exams or practice questions to test your knowledge, and identify areas for improvement. Finally, ensure you get adequate rest and come prepared each day, whether attending in-person or online, to maintain full focus throughout the five days.
Where to Get Your SMSTS Certificate and What Comes Next
You can obtain your certificate by enrolling with a CITB-approved training provider like CST Training. We offer the course at various locations across the UK, as well as via live online virtual classrooms. You can choose the format that suits you best.
Upon successful completion of the course and passing the final exam, your certificate will then be issued by the CITB. What comes next depends on your career aspirations. For many, it’s applying for the CSCS Black Manager Card, which the SMSTS qualification directly supports. Beyond that, it serves as a strong foundation for further career progression into more senior project management roles, or pursuing higher-level qualifications like an NVQ Level 6 or 7 in Construction Management, cementing your expertise and leadership within the industry.
Conclusion (SMSTS Certificate: What to Expect)
The certificate for the SMSTS is a fundamental and indispensable credential for any construction professional in a management role. It provides the critical health and safety knowledge required to operate legally and ethically, safeguarding lives and projects on site. Its widespread industry recognition ensures site access and significantly boosts career prospects, making it a pivotal investment for aspiring and current site managers.
If you still have any questions regarding the course, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Phone – 020 3488 4472
