If you’re working in construction and want to progress your career, you’ve probably heard of the SMSTS and SSSTS courses. Both are part of the CITB Site Safety Plus Scheme, designed to give site professionals the confidence, skills, and qualifications needed to run projects safely and efficiently.
At Goldcross Training, we deliver both courses — live online or in person — helping you gain accredited CITB qualifications that employers across the UK recognise and value.
So, which course is right for you? Let’s explore what each involves, who they’re for, and how the latest CITB funding and grants in 2025 can help you save on your training.
What Is the SSSTS Course?
The SSSTS (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme) is ideal for tradespeople or newly promoted supervisors who want to better understand their legal and practical safety responsibilities on site.
What You’ll Learn
- Health and safety law and a supervisor’s duties
- Site inductions and toolbox talks
- Behavioural safety and communication
- Risk assessments and method statements
- First aid, welfare, and emergency procedures
By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to lead safely, identify unsafe practices, and ensure your team complies with site safety standards.
Course Details
- Duration: 2 days
- Delivery: Classroom-based or live online via Teams
- Assessment: Multiple-choice and short-answer test plus tutor observation
- Certificate: Valid for 5 years
Before your certificate expires, complete the 1-day SSSTS Refresher to stay up to date with changes in legislation and HSE guidance.
👉 Book your SSSTS Course with Goldcross Training — weekday and weekend dates available online and in our training centres.
What Is the SMSTS Course?
The SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) is a higher-level qualification aimed at site managers, project managers, and senior supervisors who oversee multiple teams or entire projects.
What You’ll Learn
- Managing health and safety on construction sites
- CDM Regulations and management responsibilities
- Legal compliance and enforcement
- Risk assessments, method statements, and high-risk activities
- Scaffolding, demolition, and occupational health management
By the end, you’ll understand how to plan, monitor, and control site safety, ensuring compliance and reducing risk across every phase of a project.
Course Details
- Duration: 5 days (or day-release / weekend format)
- Delivery: Live online or classroom-based
- Assessment: Multiple-choice and short-answer exam plus tutor evaluation
- Certificate: Valid for 5 years
The 2-day SMSTS Refresher keeps your qualification current and reinforces your understanding of the latest safety legislation.
👉 Book your SMSTS Course with Goldcross Training — available online and at our venues nationwide.
SMSTS vs SSSTS – The Key Differences
| Feature | SSSTS | SMSTS |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Site supervisors / team leaders | Site or project managers |
| Duration | 2 days | 5 days |
| Level | Introductory to mid-level | Advanced / management level |
| Focus | Supervising workers safely | Managing whole sites safely |
| Refresher | 1 day (every 5 years) | 2 days (every 5 years) |
| Delivery at Goldcross | Online & classroom | Online & classroom |
In short:
✅ Choose SSSTS if you’re stepping into a supervisory role.
✅ Choose SMSTS if you’re managing teams, budgets, or projects.
CITB Grants and Funding in 2025
If you or your employer are CITB-registered, you can access financial support through the CITB Short Course Grant scheme.
As of 2025:
- Grant value: £60 per training day for both SMSTS and SSSTS courses.
- Upcoming change: The Skills Fund review later this year may reduce grant rates — so booking early could help you benefit from the current higher rate.
Goldcross Training provides full guidance on how to claim these grants, ensuring you or your employer maximise funding opportunities.
Why Choose Goldcross Training?
- CITB-approved training provider with an excellent success rate
- Live tutor-led online courses and flexible classroom options
- Real-world, experienced tutors with site management backgrounds
- Official CITB course materials included
- Support with CITB grant and funding applications
We’ve helped thousands of construction professionals across the UK qualify, advance, and build safer worksites.
Which Course Should You Take?
Your choice depends on your current role and where you want to go next:
- SSSTS: For team leaders and site supervisors ready to take responsibility for others’ safety.
- SMSTS: For site or project managers managing teams and overall site safety.
Whichever you choose, Goldcross Training makes it easy to learn with expert tutors, flexible schedules, and full support with CITB funding where it is available.