Course overview
Being handed responsibility for a gang, a work area or a subcontractor package is a significant step. Suddenly you are the person expected to spot a hazard before it becomes an incident, brief the team properly and answer for how the job is done. The Site Supervisors’ Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) is the CITB course built for exactly that moment. Our two-day live online class gives supervisors and first-line managers across Belfast and Northern Ireland the practical health and safety knowledge to lead their part of a site with authority, and to prove that competence to employers, principal contractors and clients across the UK and Ireland.
2-Day Online LIVE Video-Link Class, 08:30 to 16:00, finishing at 4pm each day. You are taught in real time by a qualified CITB-approved tutor, following the same structure as a classroom course, so there is no drop in quality; only the travel disappears. The two days build on each other, so by the end you have a rounded picture of what a supervisor is responsible for and how to act on it.
Who the SSSTS course in Belfast is for
The SSSTS is designed for anyone who has, or is about to take on, supervisory responsibility on a construction or civil engineering site. It is the natural first safety qualification for people stepping up from the tools into a supervisory role, and a valuable refresher of legal duties for those who have supervised for years without formal training.
The course is well suited to:
- Site supervisors and first-line managers
- Gangers, chargehands and team leaders with safety responsibilities
- Tradespeople and operatives being promoted into a supervisory position
- Supervisors who deliver site inductions and toolbox talks
- Subcontractor supervisors accountable for their own work package
- Anyone in construction or civil engineering who needs to understand supervisory duties for health and safety
If you are responsible for planning and managing whole sites rather than supervising a section of one, the five-day SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) is the more appropriate qualification. For supervisory-level responsibility, however, SSSTS is the recognised standard, and many supervisors go on to complete the SMSTS later as their role grows.
What the SSSTS course covers
Over the two days your tutor works through the health and safety knowledge a supervisor genuinely uses day to day, rather than abstract theory. The programme covers:
- The supervisor’s role in health and safety, and where your legal responsibilities begin and end
- An outline of relevant health and safety law and how it applies on site
- Risk assessments and method statements: reading them, following them and knowing when work should stop
- Understanding and communicating safe systems of work
- Carrying out effective site inductions and delivering toolbox talks that people actually take in
- Monitoring the site, recognising hazards and acting before they cause harm
- Behavioural safety and building a positive safety culture within your team
- Occupational health, welfare and the everyday risks a supervisor is expected to control
The sessions are interactive by design. Your tutor draws on real site scenarios, invites discussion and gives you room to raise the situations you meet on your own projects, so you leave able to apply the learning straight away rather than filing it away. Rather than sitting through a lecture, you talk through how the rules translate to the jobs you actually run, which is what makes the material stick.
What the live online day is like
A live online SSSTS is not a recorded video or a set of slides you work through alone. You join a scheduled virtual classroom at 08:30 and learn alongside other delegates, with your tutor presenting, setting tasks and answering questions in real time, exactly as they would in a room. You can raise your hand, speak up and take part in group exercises using your webcam and microphone. Because the group is kept to a workable size, there is plenty of opportunity to ask about the specific situations you face on your own site, and the day is broken up with regular breaks so it never becomes a marathon of screen time.
Course structure and assessment
The SSSTS runs across two consecutive days, live online, from 08:30 to 16:00. Attendance for the full duration of both days is required, as the CITB does not permit partial completion, so please make sure your diary is clear before you book.
Assessment is built into the course rather than saved for a stressful exam at the end. To achieve the qualification you will:
- Attend and take part in both full training days
- Contribute to group exercises, discussions and activities throughout
- Complete short knowledge checks as you progress
- Sit a final assessment to confirm your understanding of the material
Because the training is engaging and your tutor supports you the whole way through, delegates consistently find the assessment fair and achievable, which is reflected in our 98% pass rate. On successful completion you receive the CITB Site Safety Plus SSSTS certificate, recognised by the CITB and the UK Contractors Group (UKCG) and accepted on sites throughout the UK. The certificate is valid for five years. To renew it, you simply complete the one-day SSSTS Refresher before it expires, keeping your knowledge current with the latest legislation and best practice. Booking your refresher in good time is worth doing, because letting the certificate lapse means sitting the full two-day course again.
Entry requirements
There are no formal prerequisites, and no prior safety qualifications are needed to attend. Some experience of working in construction is helpful, because the content will feel more familiar, but it is not mandatory.
The one firm requirement is language. The course, its materials and the assessment are all delivered in English, so every delegate needs a good standard of spoken and written English to take part fully and complete the assessment. For the online class you will also need a computer, laptop or tablet with a working webcam and microphone, both built into most modern devices, along with a reasonable internet connection and a quiet place to work. If you have ever joined a video call, you already have the skills you need, and we will send clear joining instructions in advance.
Why train online from Belfast
Belfast and the wider Northern Ireland construction sector rarely stand still, from city-centre commercial and residential schemes to infrastructure, fit-out and civils work spread right across the region. Keeping supervisors trained should not mean losing them to a day of driving, or a trip across the water for a classroom seat that happens to have space.
Delivering the SSSTS as a live online class solves that. A supervisor in Belfast, Lisburn, Bangor, Newtownabbey or anywhere else in Northern Ireland can gain the same CITB-recognised certificate as a delegate in a physical classroom, taught live by the same calibre of tutor, without leaving their home or site office. That means:
- No travel time or cost: you log in rather than commute, and there is no overnight stay to arrange
- Better use of two days: your supervisor is training, not sitting in traffic on the Westlink or the M2
- Wider access: teams working across scattered Northern Ireland sites can all attend the same course from wherever they are based
- The same recognised outcome: a certificate accepted by principal contractors and clients across the UK
If you would prefer a traditional in-room experience, a classroom option is also available. The choice is yours, and the qualification is identical.
Pricing
Our pricing is straightforward and all-inclusive:
- Live online course: £199 per delegate
- Classroom course: £279 per delegate
Every place includes tutor-led instruction across both days, your official course materials in a convenient downloadable format, the assessment and, on success, your CITB SSSTS certificate. There are no hidden extras and no exam fee bolted on afterwards. For most Belfast employers the online option is the most cost-effective way to get a supervisor qualified: you save on travel, accommodation and lost productivity on top of the lower course fee. If you need to train several supervisors from the same company, get in touch and we will talk you through the options for booking as a group.
How to book your SSSTS course in Belfast
Booking takes only a few minutes. Choose an upcoming date that suits you, reserve your place online, and we will confirm your booking and send everything you need to join the live class, including your log-in details and course materials, ahead of day one. If you are arranging training for a team, or you are unsure whether SSSTS or SMSTS is the right level for your role, contact our team and we will point you in the right direction before you commit.
Secure your place on the next CITB SSSTS course for Belfast and Northern Ireland today, and give yourself the recognised qualification that backs up the responsibility you already carry on site.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to travel anywhere in Belfast to take the SSSTS course?
No. Our SSSTS is delivered as a live, tutor-led online video-link class, so supervisors anywhere in Belfast or Northern Ireland can attend from home or a site office without travelling. You simply log in for both days, from 08:30 to 16:00. If you would rather learn in person, a classroom option is also available, and the certificate you earn is exactly the same.
Is the online SSSTS certificate recognised by contractors in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK?
Yes. Whether you complete the course online or in a classroom, you receive the CITB Site Safety Plus SSSTS certificate. It is recognised by the CITB and the UK Contractors Group (UKCG) and accepted by principal contractors and clients on sites across the UK. The delivery method has no bearing on how the qualification is regarded.
How long is the SSSTS course, and how is it different from SMSTS?
The SSSTS is a two-day course for supervisors, team leaders and first-line managers who are responsible for a section of a site. The SMSTS is a longer, five-day course aimed at site managers who plan and run entire projects. If you supervise a gang or a work package rather than managing a whole site, SSSTS is the qualification you need.
How much does the SSSTS course cost?
The live online SSSTS course costs £199 per delegate, and the classroom option is £279 per delegate. Both prices include tutor-led training across both days, your downloadable course materials, the assessment and your CITB SSSTS certificate on successful completion. For most Belfast employers the online option is the most economical choice once travel and lost time are taken into account.
What do I need to attend the online course from home or my site office?
You need a computer, laptop or tablet with a working webcam and microphone, both of which are built into most modern devices, along with a reasonable internet connection and a quiet space to work from. If you have ever joined a video call you already have the skills required. We send clear joining instructions and your materials in advance, and support is on hand if you need help getting set up.
Are there any entry requirements for the SSSTS in Belfast?
There are no formal prerequisites and no prior safety qualifications are required. Some experience in construction is helpful but not essential. The main requirement is a good standard of spoken and written English, because the course, the materials and the assessment are all delivered in English.
How long is the SSSTS certificate valid, and how do I renew it?
The CITB SSSTS certificate is valid for five years. To keep it current you complete the one-day SSSTS Refresher course before your certificate expires, which updates you on any changes to legislation and best practice. Renewing on time means you avoid having to sit the full two-day course again.
Modules breakdown
Our comprehensive SSSTS training covers the following key areas:
Health and Safety Law
- Current legislation affecting construction supervision
- Legal responsibilities of supervisors on site
- Understanding Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) requirements
- Health and safety regulations specific to construction activities
- Consequences of non-compliance for individuals and companies
Risk Management
- Principles of risk assessment
- Understanding and implementing method statements
- Delivering method statement briefings for workers
- Managing common site hazards effectively
- Control measures for various construction activities
- Managing hazardous substances
Supervisory Responsibilities
- The supervisor’s role in safety management
- Building and maintaining a positive safety culture
- Identifying and addressing bad practice
- Effective communication techniques
- Managing subcontractors and visitors
- Conducting site inductions and safety briefings
Practical Safety Management
- Planning for site safety
- Conducting effective toolbox talks
- Safety inspection procedures
- Accident reporting and investigation
- Record-keeping requirements
- Promoting safety awareness among workers
Health and Wellbeing
- Occupational health concerns in construction
- Behavioural safety approaches
- Managing workplace stress
- Noise, vibration and dust exposure
- Manual handling best practices
- Worker welfare requirements
Environmental Issues
- Environmental responsibilities on site
- Waste management and reduction
- Energy efficiency considerations
- Pollution prevention
- Sustainable construction practices
- Regulatory compliance
Course Structure
The CITB SSSTS course is delivered over two consecutive days through our professional remote learning platform:
- Led by experienced instructors with extensive construction backgrounds
- Interactive sessions with fellow construction professionals
- Comprehensive digital training materials provided
- Practical scenarios and case studies
- Group discussions and knowledge-sharing opportunities
Full attendance across both days is required to qualify for the examination. The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical application to ensure relevance to daily supervisory duties.
Accredited By CITB
Assessment Method
To successfully complete the SSSTS course, delegates must pass an examination consisting of:
- Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge across all course topics
- Four safety critical questions (all must be answered correctly)
- Short written answers demonstrating understanding
The examination lasts approximately 30 minutes with an examination pass mark of 80%. The paper consists of questions designed to test your comprehension of supervisory safety responsibilities and health and safety law.
Certification & Validity
Upon successful completion of the CITB SSSTS course:
- Delegates receive the official CITB SSSTS Certificate
- The qualification is valid for 5 years
- The certificate is recognised throughout the UK construction industry
- Certification demonstrates competence in site supervision safety
- A CITB Site Safety Plus card is issued as proof of qualification
This certification is increasingly required by employers and principal contractors as evidence of supervisory safety competence.
View Dates & Book Online
Benefits of Online Training
Our online SSSTS course delivery offers numerous advantages:
- Train from any suitable location with internet access
- Eliminate travel and accommodation expenses
- Interact with the instructor and colleagues in real-time
- Access course materials digitally for future reference
- Minimise time away from site supervision duties
- Maintain the same high standards as classroom training
- Immediate application of learning to your workplace
Why Choose Our Training Provider?
As specialist CITB approved training providers:
- Our pass rates consistently exceed the industry average
- All our instructors have practical construction supervision experience
- We offer post-course support to all delegates
- Our remote learning platform is user-friendly and reliable
- Training can be arranged in-house for companies with multiple supervisors
- Flexible dates available to suit your schedule
- Technical support available throughout your course
CITB Grant Information
The SSSTS course is CITB grant claimable for eligible employers. This financial support makes it easier for construction companies to invest in supervisor safety training. Our team can provide advice on the grant application process and eligibility criteria.
The Value of SSSTS Training
Completing the SSSTS course provides significant benefits for both individuals and organisations:
- Equips supervisors with essential knowledge to create a safe site
- Reduces the risk of accidents and incidents
- Demonstrates compliance with health and safety regulations
- Improves confidence in handling safety responsibilities
- Enhances career prospects in construction supervision
- Contributes to a positive safety culture
- Helps construction companies meet their legal obligations
Remote Learning Excellence
Our online SSSTS course delivers an engaging learning experience:
- Professional virtual classroom environment
- Interactive discussions facilitated by experienced instructors
- Media-rich presentations that illustrate key concepts
- Real-time question and answer opportunities
- Collaborative learning with peers from across the construction sector
- Technical support throughout the course
Book Your SSSTS Course Today
Invest in your professional development and enhance your supervisory capabilities by enrolling in our CITB SSSTS online course. This qualification is increasingly viewed as an essential requirement for supervisory positions across the UK construction industry.
For further information about upcoming course dates, pricing, and availability, please contact our friendly team. We’re committed to helping construction professionals develop the knowledge and skills needed for effective site safety supervision.
Remember, proper safety training for supervisors is not just a legal requirement—it’s an investment in your workforce, your projects, and your business reputation.
If you’d like to check your exam readiness you can try our SSSTS Mock Test.
Excellent
