Which course should I choose SMSTS or SSSTS?

Choose SSSTS if you supervise a small team or are stepping into a first line supervisory role. Choose SMSTS if you manage entire sites, oversee multiple teams or subcontractors and hold overall responsibility for planning work and legal compliance.

How long do SMSTS and SSSTS certificates last?

Both SMSTS and SSSTS certificates are normally valid for five years. Before they expire you need to attend the relevant refresher course to keep your qualification valid.

Do I need SSSTS before I take SMSTS?

You do not have to complete SSSTS before taking SMSTS. However, SSSTS is a useful stepping stone for supervisors who plan to move into site management and later progress onto SMSTS.

Can I complete SMSTS or SSSTS online?

Yes, both SMSTS and SSSTS are available as live online courses as well as classroom based options, so you can choose the delivery method that best fits your schedule and location.

SMSTS Course vs SSSTS Course Which One Do You Need

Q: Is SMSTS harder than SSSTS?

SMSTS is a longer and more in depth course than SSSTS and is aimed at site managers and senior supervisors. SSSTS is shorter and focused on supervising smaller teams, so SMSTS is generally considered more demanding and advanced.

When You Book Multiple Courses.

Introduction

If you work on a construction site in the United Kingdom, you have almost certainly heard people talk about the SMSTS course and the SSSTS course. Both are part of the CITB Site Safety Plus framework and both are recognised by employers, principal contractors and major house builders across the country. Yet many supervisors and managers are still unsure which course they actually need for their role.

At Target Zero Training we deliver both the CITB SMSTS Course and the CITB SSSTS Course, along with a full range of CITB courses. We also see first hand how the right course can transform confidence, improve safety standards and support career progression.

This guide breaks down SMSTS course vs SSSTS course in clear, practical language so you can decide which one fits your responsibilities today and where you want to be in the next stage of your career.

Understanding the SMSTS Course

What is the SMSTS course

SMSTS stands for Site Management Safety Training Scheme. It is designed for people who have responsibility for planning, managing, monitoring and coordinating construction work and workers on site.

Typical job roles that benefit from the CITB SMSTS Course include

Site managers
Project managers
Contracts managers
Site agents
Experienced supervisors preparing to move into site management
Company owners who regularly act as principal contractor on projects

Key features of the SMSTS course

The SMSTS course is an intensive programme that normally runs over five days. It can be taken as a block week or as a day release pattern to fit around live site work.

On the CITB SMSTS Course with Target Zero Training you can expect

Five full training days delivered online or in a classroom
Trainer led sessions with real world examples from live construction projects
Group discussions and case studies focused on legal duties and risk control
Practical work on site layout, method statements and risk assessments
A formal exam at the end of the course

What you learn on the SMSTS course

The SMSTS course goes beyond basic awareness. It trains you to take ownership of health and safety on a project and to lead teams in a legally compliant and professional way. Typical learning outcomes include

Understanding the legal framework that applies to construction work, including the Health and Safety at Work Act and CDM Regulations
Knowing the responsibilities of the client, principal designer, principal contractor and contractors
Being able to plan work so that risk is controlled from the start, not added as an afterthought
Recognising common site hazards and selecting appropriate control measures
Managing subcontractors, inductions and briefings
Monitoring ongoing work and dealing with unsafe behaviour or conditions
Recording actions and decisions so that you can demonstrate compliance if anything goes wrong

If you are in a position where the regulator or a client would ask you to explain how you manage risk across a project, SMSTS is usually the more suitable qualification.

Understanding the SSSTS Course

What is the SSSTS course

SSSTS stands for Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme. It is aimed at people who supervise workers directly on site and who need to put company procedures into practice at ground level.

Typical job roles that benefit from the CITB SSSTS Course include

Working supervisors
Gangers and forepersons
Team leaders and chargehands
Experienced tradespeople who have stepped up to supervise others
People preparing for a first supervisory role

Key features of the SSSTS course

The SSSTS course is shorter and more focused than SMSTS. It is normally a two day programme that can be delivered online or in the classroom.

On the CITB SSSTS Course with Target Zero Training you can expect

Two days of interactive training
Clear explanation of your responsibilities as a supervisor
Practical examples around tool box talks, briefings and monitoring
A multiple choice style assessment at the end of the course

What you learn on the SSSTS course

SSSTS focuses on how a supervisor can support safe working, follow company procedures and feed information back to management. Typical learning outcomes include

Understanding your legal responsibilities as a supervisor
Knowing how to make sure workers follow risk assessments and method statements
Recognising unsafe behaviour and knowing how to challenge it in the right way
Delivering tool box talks and safety briefings that people remember
Supporting the site manager by reporting issues early
Helping to build a positive safety culture on site

If you are closer to the tools than the boardroom and you have direct responsibility for workers on a day to day basis, SSSTS is usually the more appropriate starting point.

SMSTS Course vs SSSTS Course Key Differences

The two courses sit at different levels in the same framework. A simple way to think about SMSTS course vs SSSTS course is manager level responsibility compared with supervisor level responsibility.

Level of responsibility

SMSTS focuses on people who plan and manage the work.
SSSTS focuses on people who supervise the work and ensure instructions are followed.

Course length and depth

SMSTS usually runs over five days and covers legal duties, planning and management in significant depth.
SSSTS usually runs over two days and concentrates on practical supervision, communication and day to day control.

Typical learner profile

SMSTS suits site managers, project managers, senior supervisors and business owners who carry overall responsibility for the project and for legal compliance.
SSSTS suits working supervisors and aspiring team leaders who have stepped up from the tools and now look after a gang or small team.

Impact on your career

Both courses carry real weight with employers, but they send slightly different signals.

SMSTS tells employers that you are ready to manage projects, lead teams and deal with clients and principal contractors.
SSSTS tells employers that you can supervise safely, manage small teams and support the management structure above you.

A well structured team often has both SMSTS qualified managers and SSSTS qualified supervisors working together so that responsibility and communication flow smoothly.

Which Course Do You Need for Your Role

Choosing between SMSTS and SSSTS becomes much easier when you map the course to your actual duties.

Scenario one You already manage sites

You should strongly consider the CITB SMSTS Course if

You sign off method statements and risk assessments
You attend client or principal contractor meetings about safety
You coordinate different trades and subcontractors on site
You decide how many workers you need and which plant or equipment is required
You would be expected to explain your safety management to an inspector or client

Scenario two You supervise a small team

You should strongly consider the CITB SSSTS Course if

You lead a gang or small team of workers
You allocate tasks on site and check that work is carried out safely
You pass information from management to workers
You deliver or support tool box talks
You are the first person people come to when there is a problem on site

Scenario three You want to move from supervisor to manager

Many people use SSSTS as a stepping stone before taking SMSTS at a later stage.

A typical progression path is

Complete the CITB Health and Safety Awareness Course if you are very new to site safety.
Move on to the CITB SSSTS Course when you start supervising others.
Progress to the CITB SMSTS Course once you take on site management or project management responsibilities.

This path builds knowledge in sensible stages and shows employers that you are serious about your development.

How SMSTS and SSSTS Support Legal Compliance and Safety Culture

Both courses are part of the CITB Site Safety Plus suite, which is widely recognised across the industry.

They support legal compliance and good practice by helping you

Understand your role within the wider legal framework
Recognise the difference between a minor issue and a serious breach
Use risk assessment and method statements properly
Communicate expectations clearly to workers and subcontractors
Monitor ongoing work and take action when standards slip
Create paperwork and records that stand up to external scrutiny

A site where managers have completed SMSTS and supervisors have completed SSSTS is far more likely to operate smoothly, avoid enforcement action and deliver quality work safely.

When You Might Need Both SMSTS and SSSTS in Your Team

On real projects, there is rarely a single person who can be everywhere at once. That is why a layered approach to competence works best.

A strong structure often looks like this

One or more managers with the CITB SMSTS Course who plan and manage the project
Several supervisors with the CITB SSSTS Course who control day to day work on specific areas or trades
Operatives who have completed CITB Health and Safety Awareness Courses and other relevant training

In this structure

Managers focus on planning, client liaison, programming and overall risk control.
Supervisors focus on keeping their teams safe, productive and compliant with site rules.

The result is a joined up approach where safety is not just a box ticked for an audit, but a live part of how work gets done.

Refresher Routes for SMSTS and SSSTS

Once you have your qualification, it is important to keep it valid.

SMSTS certificates are normally valid for five years. Before the certificate expires, you can attend the CITB SMSTS Refresher Course which revisits key topics in a shorter time.
SSSTS certificates are also normally valid for five years. You can maintain your qualification by taking the SSSTS Refresher Online Courses.

Booking your refresher in good time helps you avoid lapses in certification that might cause problems with site access or client requirements.

How to Decide Between SMSTS Course and SSSTS Course Step by Step

If you are still unsure, follow this simple decision process.

Step one Check your job title and contract

If your contract describes you as a site manager, project manager, contracts manager or similar, SMSTS is usually the correct choice.
If your contract describes you as a supervisor, working foreperson, team leader or chargehand, SSSTS is usually the correct choice.

Step two Look at your daily responsibilities

Ask yourself

Do I plan and manage the work overall, or do I mainly supervise teams carrying out that work
Do I write and sign off safety documents, or do I make sure workers follow those documents
Would an inspector see me as the person in charge of the project, or as the person in charge of a particular team

Your honest answers will point clearly toward SMSTS or SSSTS.

Step three Think about your next career move

If you want to move into site or project management in the near future, taking SMSTS can position you for that step.
If you want to become a reliable, respected supervisor who looks after people on site, SSSTS is an excellent investment.

Step four Talk to your employer or client

Many larger contractors have specific requirements. If you are unsure, ask your line manager, health and safety advisor or client contact which qualification they expect for your role.

Booking SMSTS and SSSTS with Target Zero Training

At Target Zero Training we deliver a full range of CITB courses across the United Kingdom, including

When you book with us you benefit from

Regular online and classroom dates across key locations
Friendly trainers with real site experience
Clear joining instructions and support before, during and after your course
Options to support companies who need to book multiple people

You can browse dates and prices on the individual course pages, or call our team for guidance.

Call us on 01245 379496 between 8am and 10pm or email sales@targetzerogroup.co.uk and we will help you choose the right course for your role and your budget.

Prepare with Free SMSTS and SSSTS Mock Tests

Once you have booked your course, the next step is to build confidence for the exam. Target Zero Training provides a free library of Mock Tests where you can practise SMSTS questions, SSSTS questions and other key qualifications.

Using mock tests helps you

Get comfortable with the style of questions you will face
Identify topics where you need extra revision
Practise exam timing and focus
Turn knowledge from the course into confident answers

We strongly recommend that SMSTS and SSSTS learners use the Mock Tests alongside their course notes to maximise their chance of passing first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SMSTS harder than SSSTS

SMSTS is longer and goes into more depth than SSSTS, so it usually feels more demanding. However, both courses are perfectly manageable if you attend all sessions, engage with your trainer and use the Mock Tests for revision.

Can a supervisor take the SMSTS course

Yes. If you are a supervisor who already has significant responsibility or who is moving into a management role, you can take SMSTS. In many cases, supervisors will take SSSTS first and then progress to SMSTS later, but it is not a strict requirement.

Can a site manager take the SSSTS course

A manager could attend SSSTS, but it may not give enough depth for someone with overall responsibility for a project. If you are a manager, SMSTS is usually the more appropriate choice, with the CITB SMSTS Refresher later on to maintain your qualification.

Do SMSTS and SSSTS run online

Yes. Target Zero Training offers both SSSTS Online Courses and CITB SMSTS Courses delivered in a live virtual classroom environment, as well as traditional classroom options at our venues.

What if I only need basic awareness

If you are new to construction or you need an entry level qualification, the CITB Health and Safety Awareness Courses are designed for operatives and people starting out. You can then build on this with SSSTS or SMSTS as your responsibilities grow.

Conclusion

When you compare SMSTS course vs SSSTS course, the right choice depends on your current level of responsibility and where you want your career to go.

Choose SMSTS if you manage projects, carry overall responsibility for legal compliance or are stepping into a site management or project management role.
Choose SSSTS if you supervise teams directly on site and want to make sure you are leading safely, confidently and in line with company procedures.

Whichever route you take, Target Zero Training is here to support you with expert trainers, flexible course dates and free Mock Tests to help you prepare.

If you are still unsure which course is right for you, contact our team and we will talk through your job role, your experience and your goals so you can make a confident, informed decision.