Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

No – if your CITB SSSTS or SMSTS certificate is out of date you will need to resit the complete CITB SSSTS/SMSTS course again.

Yes, as specified by CITB:- Delegates are required to attend all sessions in accordance with the course programme (regardless of the delivery method undertaken) to achieve the necessary learning objectives to qualify for the certificate.

Failure to complete the full course will result in delegates failing and, as a result, they will not receive a certificate and they will need to complete the whole course again.

If a delegate is indisposed, in extenuating circumstances (such as bereavement or certified illness), the delegate may enrol on a new course to cover the missing days, provided the same training Provider is used, to ensure consistency of the course delivery. This must be carried out within 90 days of the last day of the delegate’s attendance.

Goldcross will do its utmost to provide for all extenuating circumstances however, delegates should be aware that they will need to provide the requiste documentary evidence that such circumstances are applicable prior to being enrolled on an alternative course.

All of our CITB courses have the exam fee’s incorporated within the initial cost, you are also entitled to a free re-sit on the day should it be necessary providing you have met the minimum criteria.

Yes, our CITB tutor-led remote courses provide the same qualification as those undertaken in the classroom.

There are however clearly some differences between how these courses are delivered and you can read more about that here.

The following CITB examinations last for the period specified:

• Health and safety awareness (HSA) – 30 min
• SSSTS – 30 min
• SMSTS – 35 min

The CITB SMSTS certificate is valid for a period of five years from the date of issue.

In order to remain certified the CITB SMSTS Refresher two day course must be undertaken before your certicate expires.  Failure to undertake the refresher course before your certificate expires will require you to complete the full CITB SMSTS course again.

The CITB SSSTS certificate is valid for a period of five years from the date of issue.

In order to remain certified the CITB SSSTS Refresher two day course must be undertaken before your certicate expires.  Failure to undertake the refresher course before your certificate expires will require you to complete the full CITB SSSTS course again.

The course is delivered over five days which provides approximately 37.5 hours of training.

Goldcross delivers ‘tutor led’ CITB SMSTS courses both in the classroom and ‘remotely online’ which can be taken in the following formats:

• Block – over a 5 day period Mon – Fri
• Weekends – over 2 1/2 weekends
• Day Release – one day a week over a 5 week period

The course is delivered over two days which provides approximately 16 hours of training.

Goldcross delivers ‘tutor led’ CITB SSSTS courses both in the classroom and ‘remotely online’ which can be taken in the following formats:

Block – over a 2 day period i.e, Mon – Tue, Tue – Wed, etc
or at Weekends

Certificates are generally provided by CITB within 10 working days however on occassion this may take longer.

Goldcross will dispatch the certificate direct to the individual/organisation who booked the course upon receipt.

There are no pre-requisites to undertaking the CITB SMSTS course other than you must have a good understanding of spoken and written English.  We would recommended however that delegates have a good understanding/knowledge of construction site safety and where possible have previously successfully completed the CITB SSSTS course.

Further details regarding the SMSTS course can be found here.

There are no pre-requisites to undertaking the CITB SSSTS course other than you must have a good understanding of spoken and written English.  We would recommended however that delegates have a reasonable understanding/knowledge of construction site safety and where possible have previously successfully completed the CITB Health and Safety Awareness course.

Further details regarding the SSSTS course can be found here.

The course that is best for you will largely depend on your current role or the role that you are aiming to fulfil:

If you are a construction site manager, project/contract manager or are aiming to obtain such a position then the SMSTS (Site Managers Safety Training Scheme) course is almost certainly the course that you should be undertaking.  Generally the SMSTS course is seen as a progression from the SSSTS.

For construction site supervisors, team leaders, foreman, etc then the SSSTS (Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme) course is invariably the course you require unless you are looking to step up into a construction site management position.

The CSCS Manager card is available for managers and technical occupations operating in the construction industry.

Obtaining the CSCS Supervisors Card is a three-stage process:

Stage 1 – Book and successfully complete a CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment test at your local test centre.

Stage 2 – Successfully undertake a recognised Level 4, 5, 6 or 7 Construction Related Management/Technical NVQ (SVQ equivalent in Scotland)

Stage 3 – Apply for your CSCS ‘Black’ Managers Card

You can complete Stage 1 and 2 in any order but both must be successfully completed prior to applying for your card.

Goldcross provide a range of options to assist you in obtaining your CSCS ‘Black’ Managers Card and also the CITB SMSTS which is a qualification that the vast majority of employers operating construction sites in the UK, require their managers to hold.

The CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card is available for those individuals who have a construction related qualification such as a recognised:

• NVQ/SVQ level 2 or SVQ at SCQF level 5
• City and Guilds Craft Certificate (CGLI)
• Employer sponsored apprenticeship
• CSCS Approved Apprenticeship

Obtaining the CSCS Supervisors Card is a three-stage process:

Stage 1 – Book and successfully complete a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test at your local test centre.

Stage 2 – Successfully undertake a recognised qualification as listed above.

Stage 3 – Apply for your CSCS ‘Blue’ Skilled Worker Card

You can complete Stage 1 and 2 in any order but both must be successfully completed prior to applying for your card.

Goldcross can assist you in booking the required CITB Health, Safety and Environment test should you require it.

The CSCS ‘Gold’ Supervisor card is available for supervisor and technical occupations operating in the construction industry in the UK.

Obtaining the CSCS Supervisors Card is a three-stage process:

Stage 1 – Book and successfully complete a Specialists CITB Health, Safety and Environment test at your local test centre.

Stage 2 – Successfully undertake a recognised Level 3 or 4 Construction Related Supervisory/Technical NVQ (SVQ in Scotland)

Stage 3 – Apply for your CSCS ‘Gold’ Supervisors Card

You can complete Stage 1 and 2 in any order but both must be successfully completed prior to applying for your card.

Goldcross provide a range of options to assist you in obtaining your CSCS ‘Gold’ Supervisors Card and also the CITB SSSTS which is a qualification that the vast majority of employers operating construction sites in the UK, require their supervisors to hold.

Whilst it is not a specific legal requirement the majority of construction sites within the UK require operatives/labourers to hold at least a valid CSCS ‘Green’ Labourer Card.

Obtaining the CSCS Labourer Card is a three-stage process:

Stage 1 –  Book and successfully complete a CITB Health, Safety and Environment Operatives test at your local test centre.

Stage 2 –  Successfully undertake a CSCS approved Level 1 Health, Safety and Awareness (HS&A) Course such as the:

• CITB Health & Safety Awareness Course
• ETA Health & Safety in a Construction Environment Course

Stage 3 –  Apply for your CSCS ‘Green’ Labourer Card

You can complete Stage 1 and 2 in any order but both must be successfully completed prior to applying for your card.

Goldcross provide a range of options to assist you in obtaining your CSCS ‘Green’ Labourer Card including a complete Green Card Package.

The CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) requires all card applicants to have passed the relative CITB Health, safety and environment test within the last 2 years.

Once two years have passed the CSCS requires applicants to retake the test.

The length of time required to complete an NVQ is dependent on a number of factors:

• the NVQ level
• the evidence you already have available
• the amount of time it will take you to collate any additionaly required evidence
• the amount of time you have available and the effort you put in

Generally you can complete an NVQ in 6 to 16 weeks however some NVQs may take considerably longer if you do not have the required supporting evidence readily available.  We provide our delegates with 12 months access to our e-portfolio system upon registration, should they require it.

Undertaking an NVQ enables you to kick-start your career whilst learning on-the-job, without having to take time off work.

Some of the key benefits of completing an NVQ include:

• No formal qualifications required to get started
• It provides you the opportunity to ‘learn whilst you earn’
• It demonstrates practical ability to employers
• It’s a flexible route into your chosen industry
• You’ll gain a recognised qualification at the appropriate level without the need to sit formal accademic exams

The evidence required for an NVQ will be largely dependent on the NVQ selected however as an example for a safety related NVQ whether occupational or construction related, you could be expected to provide details of:

• risk assessments/safe systems of work
• minutes of safety meetings/discussions
• details of toolbox talks/safety briefings
• etc

We would also conduct site visits (either remotely or in person) to confirm that you are fulfilling the role you specify and may also request you provide video/photograhic evidence in support of specified activities.  Your manager/supervisor would also be requested to provide supporting evidence regarding the activities you undertake.

NVQs are work-based qualifications that recognise the skills and knowledge a person needs to do a job. They allow the delgate to demonstrate and prove their competency in their chosen role or career path.

A Level 3 NVQ is equivalent to: 2A level qualifications, ONC’s and OND’s are considered broadly comparable to the L3 NVQ.

You would be expected to be fulfilling a role with some autonomy and responsibility, such as a supervisor, at this level albeit with some control and guidance being provided.

An NVQ Level 6 is considered equivalent to a range of qualifications such as:

• a bachelor’s degree
• the NEBOSH National Diploma
• a degree apprenticeship

They are for individuals whose responsibilities include developing and implementing health and safety procedures within their workplace and are considered the ideal pathway for those individuals who have gained career progression through hands-on experience rather than prior academic achievement.

There are no formal entry or qualification requirements to undertake an NVQ, but candidates must be aged 19 or over.  As NVQs are work based qualifications you will need to be emplored and we would suggest that delegates are experienced in the specific area upon which the NVQ is focused.

Prior to starting the NVQ programme you will be asked to complete a self-assessment questionnaire to identify any likely training needs/shortfalls and to confirm that you are currently in employment.

NEBOSH Certificates are considered to be level 3, equivalent to A level qualifications.

There are no academic entry requirements or training pre-requisites to study a NEBOSH certificate.

Delegates will however need to possess sufficient knowledge of the English language in order to enable them to understand and articulate the concepts contained in the course syllabus.

An open book exam allows you access to; course notes, textbooks and other research/data sources including the internet during the exam.

You complete you NEBOSH open Book Exam at any suitable location including at home.

Once started the NEBOSH Open Book Exam must be completed and submitted within 24 hours although it should only take around 3 hours to complete.

NEBOSH stands for “National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health.”

NEBOSH accredit national and international (globally recognised) qualifications in workplace health, safety, and environmental management in an effort to raise and recognise competence in the workplace.  Their qualifications are highly respected by governments, employers and our learners across the globe.

The NEBOSH closing interview is a short but mandatory one-to-one meeting to discuss your exam submission confirming that you completed it on your own without any external help and to verify your identity.

It is not something for you to worry about and your interview will take place at an agreed time via a short video call using microsoft teams or in person at an agreed location.

NEBOSH ‘open book exam’ (OBE) results are released 50 working days from the exam date.

If you are required to undertake a practical assessment – these results are released 10 weeks from the submission date of the practical assessment (not the exam date).