The day release Site Management Safety Training Scheme.
The first option to review is that day release SMSTS course. Run by training providers at their venue, the day release course takes a duration of five weeks to complete. Candidates are required to attend one day (usually the same day) once per week to complete the necessary time designated by the CITB. While five weeks seems a long time, doing the course in this way means that you will only be absent for site for one day a week. This minimises the time you have to spend catching up with what you have missed and the time that you would need to provide cover for your post. In addition you can keep up to date with the project, while getting your qualification at the same time!
The block site Site Management Safety Training Scheme.
The second option is the block SMSTS course. Again run by training providers at their venue, the block course is completed within one working week. Of particular use to those candidates who need to get their qualifications done as soon as possible. Location and spaces allowing, candidates get book a course and be on it the next day!
The dedicated Site Management Safety Training Scheme.
The dedicated SMSTS course is usually run at a firm’s site, on a block basis (Although it can also be conducted as a day release course, if the trainers location is near to your venue). This is when a trainer will travel to you and deliver the training only to your team. The CITB require a minimum of four delegates for this course to go ahead. Indeed the more delegates you have for the course the better as significant savings can be made on training multiple delegates at your site compared to paying for individual courses and travel expenses. To have a dedicated course it is necessary that you provide a quite space, that comfortable fits the number of delegates, with a power source as many trainers bring projectors to aid their teaching.
The Site Management Safety Training Scheme refresher course.
Another key aspect of flexibility of the SMSTS course is that there is a refresher option available. This means once you have completed the full course, you can maintain your qualification by completing the refresher instead of doing the whole course again. As the refresher is a shorter course, it saves both money and time.
Tip: To be eligible for the refresher you must complete it within a maximum of six months from the expiry of your full course validity!
Locations for the Site Management Safety Training Scheme.
SMSTS courses are available throughout the UK and are run by CITB accredited providers. Once you have chosen the mode of course you need, you can further benefit from locating a venue close to you, saving on travel expenses and commuting time.
Lastly, whilst aiming to save time and money on SMSTS courses, do not then lose them by searching and comparing the courses yourself. Do it the smart way, use an online service provider. With one email or phone call from you, they can use their contacts to compare courses all over the UK, getting you the best price and saving you hours of research!