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Temporary works play a vital role in the construction process. They include any structure or system that supports or protects part of a building project during construction, but is not part of the permanent structure.
Whether you’re overseeing scaffolding, excavation supports or formwork, it’s essential that temporary works are properly planned and managed. That’s where the roles of the Temporary Works Supervisor and Temporary Works Coordinator come in.
Each role carries different responsibilities and levels of accountability. Choosing the right training depends on your job role, your site responsibilities, and how involved you are in managing temporary works.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key duties of each role and help you decide which CITB Temporary Works training is right for you. We’ll also explain the course content, who it’s for, and how to book.
Temporary works are essential structures or systems that support construction activities but are removed once the project is complete. They include things like formwork, props, scaffolding, and shoring.
Although they aren’t part of the finished build, they are crucial to safety, stability, and workflow. If temporary works are poorly managed, they can lead to delays, accidents, or structural failures. That’s why temporary works must follow strict planning, design and inspection processes.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) expects companies to follow robust procedures when managing temporary works. It’s not enough to rely on general site knowledge or experience.
You need trained professionals in key roles to make sure temporary works are safe and properly coordinated. The Temporary Works Supervisor provides on-site support and monitors activity, while the Temporary Works Coordinator takes overall responsibility for managing the temporary works process.
Both roles are crucial to maintaining compliance, reducing risk and keeping everyone on site safe.
The Temporary Works Supervisor course is a one-day training session that gives you a clear understanding of your responsibilities on site. We deliver the course in a virtual classroom via Zoom, at our nationwide venues, or in-house for company groups.
You’ll cover core topics including the role of a Temporary Works Supervisor, the importance of BS5975, effective risk management, and how to communicate clearly with the wider team. The course also explores the supervisor’s role in supporting the Temporary Works Coordinator and maintaining compliance with site procedures.
This CITB Temporary Works Supervisor training gives you the tools to monitor, report, and help manage temporary works safely and competently.
The Temporary Works Supervisor course is ideal for foremen, junior engineers, or site supervisors who assist the Coordinator in day-to-day temporary works activities. If you’re responsible for supervising temporary works or checking that procedures are being followed on site, this course is for you.
It’s also a great fit for those stepping into more formal supervision roles or looking to build confidence in temporary works processes.
When you complete the course, you’ll receive a CITB-accredited certificate that’s valid for five years. If you’re CITB registered, you can also claim grant funding for this training.
The Temporary Works Coordinator course is a two-day programme designed to give you a full understanding of managing temporary works. Like our Supervisor course, we offer it online via Zoom, in physical classrooms across the UK, or in-house for businesses.
You’ll learn how to coordinate and manage all forms of temporary works, with a strong focus on legal responsibilities, CDM Regulations, and BS5975. The course also covers how to assess and approve risk assessments, method statements, and inspection procedures.
This CITB Temporary Works Coordinator training helps you take control of temporary works on-site and ensures that your management processes are fully compliant and effective.
This course is for anyone who’s been appointed or is about to be appointed as a Temporary Works Coordinator. It’s best suited to senior engineers, site agents, and project managers who are responsible for approving designs, coordinating works, and ensuring safety on site.
If you oversee multiple sites or complex temporary works projects, this is the right course to support your role and give your team confidence in your leadership.
On completion, you’ll receive a CITB-accredited qualification, valid for five years. CITB-registered employers can also claim a grant to help fund this course.
The key difference between a Temporary Works Coordinator and a Temporary Works Supervisor lies in responsibility and decision-making authority.
Coordinators take overall accountability for the temporary works process. They’re responsible for ensuring procedures are in place, risk assessments are thorough, and designs are approved correctly. If something goes wrong, it’s usually the Coordinator who holds legal responsibility.
Supervisors, on the other hand, provide on-site support. They monitor that procedures are followed, report any concerns to the Coordinator, and help manage day-to-day safety. They don’t carry the same legal accountability but play a crucial role in keeping operations compliant.
The CITB Temporary Works Coordinator course covers this in much greater depth than the CITB Temporary Works Supervisor course, preparing you to lead and manage rather than just oversee.
If you’re searching for clarity around coordinator vs supervisor roles, it comes down to how much authority and responsibility you hold on site.
If you’re a foreman, site supervisor, or junior engineer, the Temporary Works Supervisor course is likely to be the right choice. It gives you the knowledge to monitor activity safely and support the Coordinator effectively.
If you’re working as a project manager, senior site agent, or lead engineer, you should look at the Temporary Works Coordinator course. It’s designed for those in charge of risk control, planning, and overall temporary works management.
Many construction professionals start with the Supervisor course and move on to Coordinator training as their role develops. If you’re progressing into a more senior position, this can be a natural next step in your training.
We offer both the Temporary Works Supervisor course online and the Temporary Works Coordinator course online through a live Zoom classroom. You’ll join a real-time session with a qualified CITB trainer and interact with others throughout the day.
You’ll receive a digital coursebook to guide your learning, and the final assessment is completed online. This option is ideal if you want to avoid travel and complete the course from home or the office.
Prefer face-to-face learning? You can join a public course at one of our training venues across the UK. These sessions run regularly throughout the year and are open to individuals or groups.
We also offer private in-house training for companies. You can choose delivery at your site or online. For in-house sessions, we require a minimum of four delegates and can accommodate up to twelve.
Prices vary depending on your group size, location, and delivery method. You can contact our team for a tailored quote that suits your needs.
The Temporary Works Supervisor course typically costs £275 + VAT, while the Temporary Works Coordinator course is around £435 + VAT for online and classroom courses.
For in-house delivery, please fill in our contact form so we can find the best option for your budget and schedule.
Yes. Both courses are CITB Site Safety Plus accredited, which means you can claim CITB grant funding if your company is registered.
Whether you’re an SME or a larger contractor, this funding can help reduce training costs. You can check the current grant values here: View CITB Grant Values
If you’re supervising activity on-site or working closely with the Coordinator, the Temporary Works Supervisor course is likely the best fit.
If you’ve been appointed as a Coordinator or are responsible for planning, approving, and overseeing the entire temporary works process, you’ll need the Temporary Works Coordinator course.
Still unsure? Contact our team so we can help you make the right call.
Both certificates are valid for five years. After that, you’ll need to complete the full course again to renew your qualification.
Yes. We offer live Zoom training for both courses, led by experienced trainers. You’ll join a virtual classroom, interact with other delegates, and complete your exam online.
There are no formal entry requirements, but you should have a working knowledge of health and safety and temporary works.
We recommend this training for those with site experience or previous qualifications like SSSTS or SMSTS.
If you’re new to temporary works, we strongly suggest completing the CITB Temporary Works Awareness eLearning before taking either course. It’s a free online module that gives you the foundation you’ll need to get the most out of your training.
Ready to get started? You can book both courses online or speak to our team for availability and group bookings:
We offer flexible options including Zoom, classroom, and in-house delivery across the UK.
Not sure which course is right for your role? Get in touch with our team and we’ll help you find the best fit based on your responsibilities.
At 3B Training, we’re proud to be a CITB-approved provider with a track record of delivering high-quality training that keeps your team safe, competent, and confident on site.
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