Course overview
Ask any Black Country contractor what separates a site that runs smoothly from one that lurches from near-miss to near-miss, and the answer almost always comes back to the supervisors. They are the people who set the tone on the ground: running the morning briefing, walking the job, pulling someone up on missing edge protection before it turns into an incident. The CITB Site Supervisors’ Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) is the qualification built for exactly that role. Our two-day course gives Wolverhampton supervisors, gangers, foremen and first-line managers the health and safety knowledge to lead their part of the site safely, lawfully and with real authority – and we deliver it live online, so you can qualify without leaving the city.
What the SSSTS Course Is
The SSSTS is a two-day training programme designed specifically for people who supervise others on construction and civil engineering sites. It equips first-line managers and team leaders with the practical understanding of health and safety law, risk and safe systems of work that a supervisory role demands. The qualification is endorsed by CITB and recognised by the UK Contractors Group (UKCG), which is why principal contractors and clients working across Wolverhampton and the West Midlands routinely list it as a minimum requirement for supervisors before they step on to site.
It is worth being clear about where the SSSTS sits, because the two main Site Safety Plus courses are often confused. The SSSTS is the two-day course for supervisors and team leaders who oversee a section of the work. The SMSTS – the Site Management Safety Training Scheme – is the longer five-day course aimed at site managers and agents who plan and control an entire project. If your job is to supervise a trade, a gang or a work area rather than run the whole site, the SSSTS is the course you need.
Who Should Attend This Course in Wolverhampton
The SSSTS is written for anyone who directs the work of others on site, whether that responsibility is brand new or something you have grown into over the years. It is a strong fit if you are:
- A site supervisor, ganger, chargehand or foreman on a Wolverhampton construction site
- A first-line manager or team leader who has stepped up from the tools
- A tradesperson about to take on supervisory duties for the first time
- Responsible for running site inductions, toolbox talks and daily briefings
- Expected to monitor risk assessments and method statements as work progresses
- Working anywhere across the Black Country and asked by a main contractor or client to hold a current SSSTS
- An employer who wants to raise the safety competence of newly promoted supervisors
You do not need years behind you to attend. A good number of delegates book the SSSTS at the exact point they are promoted, so the certificate and the added responsibility arrive together rather than months apart.
What the Course Covers
Over the two days your CITB-approved tutor works through the legal duties and practical safety skills a supervisor is expected to apply every day. The emphasis stays firmly on what you actually do on site – how you plan a task, brief a crew, spot a hazard and act on it – rather than theory for its own sake. Core topics include:
- The Health and Safety at Work Act and where the supervisor fits within it
- An overview of the CDM Regulations and how they shape duties on site
- Understanding, monitoring and communicating risk assessments
- Method statements and safe systems of work put into practice
- Delivering effective site inductions and toolbox talks
- Behavioural safety and building a positive safety culture within your team
- Managing occupational health, welfare and common site hazards
- The supervisor’s role in monitoring, reporting and keeping records
Because the class is live and interactive, the sessions are built around discussion and real-world scenarios rather than a one-way lecture. You can put your own site questions to the tutor as they come up, and talk through the kind of situations that play out across Wolverhampton and the surrounding area – from city-centre and residential development to industrial, warehousing and civils work across the Black Country. That grounding is what makes the learning stick once you are back on site.
Structure and Assessment
The SSSTS runs across two consecutive days, each from 08:30 to 16:00, so both sessions finish comfortably by 4pm. That timing gives delegates room to settle an early handover on site, or to manage childcare and other commitments, without a late finish eating into the evening.
Assessment is straightforward, with no hidden hurdles. To achieve the qualification you need to:
- Attend both days in full and take part in the group exercises
- Complete the short activities and knowledge checks during the sessions
- Pass a multiple-choice examination at the end of the second day
Our SSSTS courses carry a 98% pass rate, which reflects how much of the learning is done live with a tutor who keeps checking understanding as the course moves along. Engage with the two days and the exam holds very few surprises.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal prerequisites and you do not need any prior safety qualification to attend. Because all of the course materials and the examination paper are delivered in English, delegates do need a good standard of spoken and written English to follow the sessions and complete the assessment. Some construction experience is helpful for putting the content in context, but it is not essential. For the online class you will also need a computer, laptop or tablet with a webcam and microphone – both are built into most modern devices – and a reasonably stable internet connection. If you have ever joined a video call, you already have everything you need, and we send clear joining instructions in advance.
Why Train Online From Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton sits at the heart of the Black Country, one of the busiest and most established construction and manufacturing areas in the country. With ongoing regeneration in and around the city centre and steady demand for supervisors across housing, commercial, industrial and civils work throughout the West Midlands, getting people qualified quickly matters. Training by live video link removes the two things that usually slow that down: travel and downtime.
Rather than losing extra hours to a commute or a fixed venue, your supervisors log in from home, the site cabin or anywhere with a connection and learn in a real classroom led by a real tutor. It keeps delegates close to their sites, cuts the cost and hassle of travelling, and makes it far easier to release two or three people from the same firm at the same time. For supervisors spread across Wolverhampton, Bilston, Wednesfield, Willenhall, Walsall, Dudley, Sedgley and the wider Black Country, everyone attends the same high-quality course without anyone having to work out parking or a drive across the region.
The learning is not watered down for being remote. You see and hear the tutor live, you speak up whenever you have a question, and you sit exactly the same assessment as a classroom delegate. If you would genuinely rather be in a room, a classroom option remains available – but for most Wolverhampton supervisors the live online route is simply the more practical way to get certified.
Pricing
Our CITB SSSTS course is £199 for the live online video-link class and £279 for the classroom option. That covers the full two days of tutor-led training, your course materials and the end-of-course examination, with no hidden extras. On successful completion you receive the CITB Site Safety Plus SSSTS certificate, which is valid for five years. To keep it current you take a one-day SSSTS Refresher before the certificate expires, rather than sitting the full two days again.
How to Book
Booking your SSSTS in Wolverhampton takes only a few minutes. Choose the live online or classroom option, pick a date that suits you, and reserve your place online. If you are booking for several supervisors, or you want to line the training up with a project start on site, get in touch and our team will help you find dates that work and answer any questions about the course, the technology or group arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to travel to a venue in Wolverhampton to attend?
No. We deliver the SSSTS as a live online video-link class, so supervisors across Wolverhampton and the Black Country can qualify from home or the site office without travelling anywhere. There is no venue to find and no travel cost to recover. If you would prefer to attend in person, a classroom option is available as well.
Is the online SSSTS recognised by contractors around Wolverhampton?
Yes. The qualification is exactly the same however you attend. The SSSTS is endorsed by CITB and recognised by the UK Contractors Group, so the certificate is accepted by principal contractors and clients across Wolverhampton, the West Midlands and the wider construction industry.
What is the difference between the SSSTS and the SMSTS?
The SSSTS is a two-day course for supervisors, team leaders and first-line managers who oversee a section of the work. The SMSTS is a five-day course for site managers and agents who plan and control an entire site. If you supervise a team or a work area rather than run the whole project, the SSSTS is the right course for you.
How long is the course and when does it finish each day?
The SSSTS is a two-day course. Each day runs live from 08:30 to 16:00, so both days finish by 4pm. Attending both days in full is a requirement for achieving the qualification, so it is worth setting the time aside clear of site commitments.
How much does the SSSTS course cost?
The live online video-link class is £199 and the classroom option is £279. The price includes the two days of tutor-led training, your course materials and the final examination. Both routes lead to the same CITB-recognised certificate.
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 a one-day SSSTS Refresher course before your certificate expires, rather than repeating the full two-day course.
Can I book several supervisors from my Wolverhampton firm at once?
Yes. Because the course is delivered online, supervisors based across different sites in and around Wolverhampton can all attend the same class without travelling to one location. If you are booking for a group or want to align the training with a project start, contact our team and we will help you arrange dates and places to suit your workload.
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.
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