SSSTS Online: How Does it Work?
On construction sites, site supervisors are the ones directly responsible for ensuring work crews are operating safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. If you’re looking to become a supervisor, or you’ve recently acquired a role at this level, you should probably be considering the SSSTS online course. While there is also a traditional in-person version of the course, the online format has proved a flexible alternative, and provides the same certification as the in-person format.
But how does the course work, if you take it online? In today’s blog, we’re looking at what you should expect from the SSSTS, who exactly the course is designed for, how the course is actually delivered, how much experience is typically required in order to undertake it, and more.
Who is the Course Designed For?
The SSSTS is meticulously designed for individuals who are currently, or are about to acquire, supervisory responsibilities on a construction site. This typically includes crucial roles such as site foremen, gangers, chargehands, team leaders, and indeed, anyone directly responsible for overseeing the work of others within a construction environment. It’s a pathway for experienced operatives looking to progress into leadership roles and for those who urgently need a formal, recognised qualification to demonstrate their comprehensive understanding of their health and safety duties. It’s specifically crafted to provide them with the foundational knowledge to manage their teams safely and effectively, fostering a compliant and secure working environment.
What to Expect From the SSSTS Online Training
When you enroll in the training, you can expect a highly interactive and engaging virtual classroom experience. It’s not a passive, pre-recorded course; instead, it’s delivered live by a CITB-accredited instructor via video conferencing platforms. You’ll participate in real-time discussions, engage in group exercises, and present your work, much as you would in a traditional classroom setting. All course materials are typically provided digitally, and the instructor will guide you through each module with presentations, case studies, and practical examples relevant to construction sites.
How SSSTS Online Courses Are Delivered
The courses are delivered via video conferencing software, allowing for a fully interactive virtual classroom experience. Candidates join a live session with their instructor, and with other participants. The delivery involves a mix of direct instruction, multimedia presentations, and collaborative activities like virtual breakout sessions.
All materials are digital, and the course is delivered over two days.
Is the Course Suitable for New Supervisors?
The course is most suitable for new supervisors. It serves as an ideal first step for individuals who are about to take on supervisory responsibilities or who have recently entered such a role. The course provides new supervisors with the fundamental health, safety, welfare, and environmental knowledge required to effectively manage their teams and ensure compliance from the outset. It imparts an understanding of legal responsibilities, risk management principles, and practical site safety techniques, equipping new supervisors with the confidence and competence needed to lead safely and effectively in their new positions.
Benefits of Taking SSSTS Online Instead of In-Person
Taking the online version of the course offers several compelling benefits over traditional in-person training. The most significant advantage is unparalleled flexibility and convenience, allowing delegates to participate from anywhere with a stable internet connection. This eliminates travel time, accommodation costs, and associated expenses, significantly reducing disruption to work schedules and personal life. For businesses, this means less downtime for their employees. The online format offers more frequent course dates, including weekend options, making it easier to fit into a busy calendar.
What Topics Will You Cover During the Training?
During the SSSTS, you’ll cover a wide variety of key topics designed to develop effective safety leadership and ensure compliance. The curriculum includes: an in-depth understanding of current health and safety legislation, particularly the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2015; the critical importance of risk assessments and method statements, and how to effectively create and implement them; techniques for delivering impactful site inductions and toolbox talks; and strategies for managing various occupational health risks found on construction sites.
How SSSTS Online Prepares You for Site Safety Responsibilities
The SSSTS meticulously prepares you for site safety responsibilities by systematically educating you on hazard identification, risk assessment, and the implementation of effective control measures. Through interactive online modules and real-world scenarios, you will develop a sharper eye for potential dangers and gain the confidence to proactively address them. The training empowers you to effectively communicate safety information through structured toolbox talks and site inductions, ensuring every worker understands the risks involved in their tasks and adheres to safe working procedures. By reinforcing your legal responsibilities and providing practical tools for safety management, the course directly contributes to your ability to lead by example and foster a preventative safety culture that significantly reduces accidents and injuries on site.
Is There an Exam?
The course ends with an exam, which is multiple-choice. It typically only takes 30 minutes, and is comprised of 25 questions. A selection of these questions are ‘safety critical’, meaning they need to be answered correctly in order for you to pass.
What Makes SSSTS Online a Flexible Option?
The SSSTS is highly flexible, making it ideal for busy construction professionals. Its remote delivery means you can participate from your home, eliminating the need for travel and fitting studies around existing work commitments. Many training providers offer a variety of course dates, including weekend options, allowing you to choose a schedule that minimises disruption. The digital format provides immediate access to course materials and resources, often allowing for some self-paced review of content outside of live sessions. This adaptability empowers individuals to gain a vital qualification without sacrificing their current employment or personal time.
Can You Take the Course on a Mobile or Tablet?
You need to use a laptop or desktop computer for the online course. The virtual classroom environment, with its interactive elements, shared screens, presentations, and the final online exam, only works on a larger screen with a stable setup. You also need a webcam and microphone, as well as a stable internet connection.
Can It Be Done Around a Full-Time Job?
Yes, the SSSTS is explicitly designed to be done around a full-time job. Its online and flexible nature is one of its primary benefits for working professionals. While you will need to dedicate two full days to the course (usually consecutive weekdays, though weekend options may be available), the fact that you can attend from home eliminates the need for travel, extensive time off, or disruption to your employer’s operations. This makes it a highly practical solution for gaining this vital qualification without interrupting your career or income.
Is the SSSTS Online Certificate Recognised by Employers?
The certificate is fully recognised and highly valued by employers across the UK construction industry. Employers understand that the content, learning outcomes, and assessment standards for the SSSTS are consistent, regardless of the delivery format.
Is Any Prior Experience Needed?
Yes, some prior experience is indeed needed for the SSSTS. While there are no formal qualification prerequisites like specific GCSEs, delegates are expected to be currently working, or about to work, in a supervisory role. This means you should have some practical experience in the construction industry and ideally, a basic understanding of site operations and health and safety principles. The course is designed to train you in supervisory safety responsibilities, not basic construction skills.
Is This the First Step Toward a Bigger Qualification?
The course is very much considered the vital first step toward bigger and more advanced qualifications in construction site management. It provides the foundational knowledge in health and safety for those entering supervisory roles. Many individuals use the SSSTS as a stepping stone to progress to the Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) qualification. The SMSTS is designed for site managers and delves into more strategic health and safety management. The SSSTS also complements vocational qualifications like NVQ Level 3 or 4 in Occupational Work Supervision, contributing to a comprehensive professional development pathway in construction leadership.
SSSTS Online as a Foundation for Further Site Management Training
The course is a vital, and widely recognised, foundation for further training in the field of site management. Its emphasis on supervisory health and safety responsibilities prepares candidates for the increased scope and strategic planning typically required in all kinds of management roles. Understanding all aspects of operational safety means that supervisors will be well-positioned to, at some point in the future, take higher-level courses like the SMSTS.
Conclusion (SSSTS Online: How Does it Work)
The online version of the course is a lot more than just a convenient way to gain a certificate. It’s an indispensable qualification, ideal for any construction professional who is in, or aspiring to be in, a supervisory role. Its core purpose is to equip supervisors with essential, up-to-date health, safety, welfare, and environmental knowledge, empowering them to effectively manage risks, ensure compliance, and lead their teams safely on site.
If you still have any questions regarding the course, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Phone – 020 3488 4472
