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If you’re managing a construction site or working towards that goal, the SMSTS course is a key step in your training. It gives you the knowledge and confidence to lead safely and legally on site.
At 3B Training, we offer two flexible options for completing the course: either over five consecutive days (block course) or one day a week for five weeks (day-release).
Both formats lead to the same recognised qualification, but the right one for you will depend on your learning style, schedule, and workload. In this guide, we’ll help you understand how each format works and the pros and cons of both.
The SMSTS course is designed for site managers, project managers, and anyone responsible for organising and supervising work on construction sites.
If you’re already in a management role or preparing to move into one this course gives you the tools you need to manage health and safety effectively. It’s also a key requirement on many sites across the UK.
We cover everything you need to know to run a safe and compliant site. That includes site hazards, health and safety legislation, environmental awareness, and leadership responsibilities.
You’ll explore regulations like the Health and Safety at Work Act, CDM Regulations, and Working at Height legislation. We also look at mental health, risk assessments, and accident prevention.
This is a CITB-accredited course and part of the Site Safety Plus scheme, which is recognised across the UK construction industry.
The SMSTS course takes around 37.5 hours in total. You can complete it over five consecutive days or choose a day-release option that runs one day a week for five weeks.
We offer both formats online and in the classroom to suit your preferences. Whether you want to get qualified quickly or need to fit the course around your site duties, we’ve got options to support you.
Our SMSTS Day-Release course runs over five weeks, with one full training day each week. You’ll cover the same content as the block course, just at a steadier pace.
This format is ideal if you can’t commit to five days away from work in one go. It gives you time between sessions to absorb information and relate it to your day-to-day role.
We recommend the day-release format for those with a busy workload or ongoing site responsibilities.
It’s also a great option if you prefer to learn gradually, giving yourself time to reflect and ask questions throughout the course.
One of the main benefits is flexibility. You can stay on top of your work while completing your training.
Spreading the course over several weeks helps prevent burnout and gives you more time to absorb what you’ve learned. It also allows you to reflect on real-life examples between sessions.
Although this format works well for many learners, it does require consistent weekly attendance.
Some people find it harder to stay focused over a longer timeframe, especially if their schedule changes week to week.
It’s important to plan ahead and make sure you can commit to all five sessions to get the most from the course.
We deliver the SMSTS Block Course over five full days in one working week. It’s an intensive format designed for those who want to complete their training quickly.
The course takes place either in a classroom or online, depending on what suits you best.
This format works well if you’ve cleared your schedule and want to immerse yourself in the training.
It’s also ideal for those who prefer to focus without breaks between sessions or need to complete the qualification quickly for an upcoming role or project.
Completing the course in one week allows for quicker certification and less disruption to your long-term schedule.
The focused structure helps many learners stay engaged and retain the information better. It also means you can apply what you’ve learned on site without waiting several weeks.
To complete the block course, you need to be available for five full consecutive days.
This can be difficult if you’re juggling site responsibilities or don’t have a full week free. Some learners may also find the intensive nature of the training more tiring than a spaced-out format.
Choosing between the SMSTS Day Release and Block Course comes down to your schedule, learning style, and work commitments. Both options lead to the same CITB-accredited qualification and cover the same content.
When deciding between the two, think about how much time you can commit each week.
If you’re managing a site or juggling projects, day release might be easier to work around. But if you have a quieter period coming up or need to qualify quickly, the block course may be more efficient.
Some learners benefit from time between sessions to absorb the content, while others prefer to stay in the zone with back-to-back training days. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to talk you through the options.
Both course types are widely used across the UK construction industry. The preferred format often depends on regional demand, company size, and how sites are staffed.
Some employers prefer the block approach for faster onboarding, while others choose day release to keep managers on-site during the week.
We’ve seen strong demand for both the day-release and block formats.
To meet that demand, we run multiple public dates for each course type throughout the year, with options to train online or in person. Whether you’re based on-site or working remotely, we’ll help you find a course that works for you.
Whichever format you choose, you’ll gain the same industry-recognised CITB certificate. Both the day-release and block course cover the same topics, follow the same structure, and are delivered by experienced trainers.
What matters most is finding the format that fits your lifestyle and responsibilities. Think about how much time you can commit, what support you’ll have from your employer, and how you prefer to learn.
If you’re not sure which option is right for you, we’re here to help.
Speak to our team or view upcoming SMSTS course dates to get started.
Both formats include 37.5 hours of training, either over five consecutive days or one day per week for five weeks.
No. Both options lead to the same CITB certificate, valid for five years.
The day-release course is often more practical for those who need to stay active on site throughout the week.
Yes. We offer both formats as remote learning courses via Zoom, with full interaction between trainer and delegates.
Yes. The content is identical, including legal responsibilities, risk management, site hazards and leadership skills.
Get in touch with our team as soon as you can. We’ll do our best to move you across if there’s space available.
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