Which of the CITB Course Options is a Best fit for me?

If it is your aim to discern which of the CITB courses is going to suit you best a few of the following considerations may have occurred to you:

1. What training do I need for the project that I am currently working on?
2. What will give me the best chance of continuing employment and promotion?
3. What training is recommended / required by my employers / future employers?
4. Where can I get the training, how much does it cost and who will fund it?
5. What does the training entail?

Think of this information as a suit fitting for your CITB courses, you get to “try on” different courses to see if they are the correct fit for you!

Do you have a supervisory or management position, or are your employers promoting you to one of these positions in the near future? If so, then the CITB courses you will be aiming for are either the SSSTS, SMSTS or the PMSTS.

If you are working with plant machinery as a manager, then the five day PMSTS course is an excellent option. It goes beyond proving competency on specific types of plant (Which the CPCS covers) and covers maintenance and management of those working in the team you are directing.

If your focus is more on supervising a team of workers the the SSSTS is the best CITB course for you. It is a two day course designed to cover both health and safety legislation, your responsibilities as team leader and how to keep those working under you informed and aware of risk.

If your focus is on managing multiple teams of workers, ensuring they meet the CDM regulations and other responsibilities that are encompassed by site management then the SMSTS course is for you. Five days of training means this course is thorough and comprehensive. Candidates can expect advice on the management side of the job as well as up to date information on health and safety legislation.

Those of you working currently as a team member rather than a supervisor or manager, may be tempted by one of the courses above to aid the development of your CV. However there are also some shorter CITB courses on offer that may suit you. You can choose between either Health and Safety Awareness and Achieving Behavioral Change. Both focus on fostering the importance of risk awareness and reduction with every individual on a construction site. The former provides a brief introduction to site health and safety practice, while the latter focuses on attitudes towards health and safety and how these can be improved to preserve life.

In terms of cost, most CITB courses are eligible for CITB grants as long as the company you work for is registered with the levy scheme. CITB courses are run all over the UK, with the SMSTS, SSSTS and SMSTS refresher being the most popular. If you are struggling to find a course try using an online search facility to compare dates, locations and prices, ensuring you get the best deal for your money.