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SMSTS Course content – An overview of the course and the SMSTS certificate

January 24, 2018 By businessequip

This is the second post in our catalogue of CITB Site Safety Plus course guides. We’ll detail the SMSTS course content in this post and provide details of the course.

What is the SMSTS Course?

The SMSTS course is one of the courses that make up the Site Safety Plus programme. It is specifically for anyone who has, or is going to have, management responsibilities. The SMSTS course content covers the legislation that can affect safe working in the industry. The course is endorsed by Build UK as the standard training requirement for all construction managers. The training will ensure that you understand why you carry out your duties and how they contribute to the safety of the workplace.

The SMSTS Course Content

The SMSTS course content delivery occurs over 5 full days of training and a total of 37.5 hours. You will experience continuous assessment so you will need to attend all 5 days. The SMSTS course content will provide you with an understanding of health, safety, welfare and environmental issues on construction sites. The programme consists of the four core exercises below.

Implementing health and safety legislation
Managers’ and supervisors’ responsibilities
Site briefing
Site Layout

*Note* It is suggested that these exercises are used; however, other exercises and tests may be used to supplement the course if the training provider so wishes.

The SMSTS Certificate

The SMSTS certificate is valid for 5 years. To achieve the certification, you will need to successfully complete a multiple-choice test at the end of the course. You will also be under continuous assessment so you must engage in the sessions. The certificate will be distributed by CITB so you will receive it a few weeks after completion. To renew your SMSTS certificate you must complete the SMSTS refresher before the date of expiry.

If you have any further questions about the SMSTS course we’re more than happy to help. Give us a call on 0121 476 4731 or enquire here and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

To read more about the SMSTS course follow this link.

SSSTS Course Content – An overview of the course and details about the SSSTS certificate.

January 11, 2018 By businessequip

We have received lots of questions regarding the SSSTS course content from people in the industry. So we thought we’d provide you with all the information you need. We’ll cover the SSSTS course content and the SSSTS course certificate.

One of the questions we get asked regularly is ‘How hard is the SSSTS course?’. The only answer we can give to this is that the course is designed to be challenging. However, like all learning, you will get out what you put in to it. Make sure you ask questions and really get to grips with the content. Our trainers will be there every step of the way to help you. You must remember that we want you to pass as much as you do!

Follow this link to our SSSTS course page to view upcoming course dates.

What is the SSSTS Course

The SSSTS course is one course in the catalogue of Site Safety Plus courses. The Site Safety Plus programme is designed with progression in mind. Therefore it includes courses for operatives all the way to senior managers. SSSTS is the supervisors course from the programme. It is for anyone who has, or will have supervisory responsibilities. The SSSTS certificate is endorsed by Build UK as the requirement for any supervisor on site. SSSTS training will ensure that the candidate understands why they carry out their duties, what is expected of them and how they contribute to the safety of the workplace.

The SSSTS Course Content

The delivery of the SSSTS course content is over two days. It covers the legal responsibilities of supervisors and also the obligation that they have to promote health and safety in their role. It also provides an understanding of the welfare and environmental issues involved in work activities.

The SSSTS course content includes:

Legal and Management

Health and safety law
CDM regulations
Health and safety management system.
Risk assessments and also method statements
Leadership and worker engagement
Statutory inspections, checks and monitoring

Health and Welfare

First aid and also emergency procedures
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Hazardous substances
Asbestos
Dust and fumes
Noise and vibration
Manual Handling

General Safety

Site set up and also security
Fire prevention and also fire control
Electrical safety
Temporary works
Work equipment and hand-held tools
Site transport safety
Lifting operations
Lifting equipment

High-Risk Activities

Working at height
Excavations
Underground and also overhead services
Confined spaces

Environment

Environmental management
Waste management

Specialist activities

Demolition
Working over or near to water

The SSSTS Certificate

Upon completion of the SSSTS course you will receive a certificate. This will be sent out by CITB so you will receive it a few weeks after the course. The candidate must attend both days of the two-day course and pass the multiple-choice test at the end of the course. The SSSTS certificate is valid for 5 years. For the renewal of the certificate the candidate must attend a refresher course before the date of expiry.

To book a SSSTS course please enquire here or follow this link to the SSSTS course page.

Or give us a call on 0121 476 4731

What is an Apprenticeship?

January 4, 2018 By businessequip

What is an Apprenticeship – Recent changes to the scheme and why employing an apprentice benefits a business.

What is an apprenticeship?

The question What is an apprenticeship? is one that is often asked. An apprenticeship allows the candidate to learn whilst they work. It combines on the job training and traditional classroom learning. The candidate is employed by a company and simultaneously studies for a formal qualification, such as a Level 2 Diploma in Fencing. Apprenticeships provide a route to a formal qualification that avoids tuition fees and gives the candidate the opportunity to earn while they learn!

Changes to apprenticeships – 2017.

Apprenticeships have recently been receiving a lot of attention. Recent changes in legislation has reduced the amount of apprentices enrolled in the UK. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing. The fall in enrolment statistics show that the changes are working. The changes were intended to ensure that apprentices are working towards a valuable qualification and that they are not just being used by employers as cheap labour. They also ensure that employers take responsibility for the UK’s shortage in technical skills, and force them to think about what training will be most valuable.

Previous governments were perhaps guilty of mismanaging the apprenticeship scheme in the UK. They have been accused of targeting sheer quantity rather than the quality of apprenticeships. This led too many apprenticeships being of low quality and at a very low skills level. Furthermore, many employers have been guilty of using the apprenticeship scheme to save money through paying low wages. Obviously, the lower wages is one of the benefits of the scheme for employers. However, when the qualification being studied is of no value, it is both a waste of time for the apprentice and discredits the scheme as a whole.

This is where the new legislation aims to make a difference. If you want to read more about the changes to the scheme please find the details here.

Why be or employ an apprentice?

There are many benefits to employers who employ apprentices. For example:

Apprentices increase business productivity by on average £214 per week.
You work with training providers, such as ourselves, to create the most beneficial programme of training. We can also access up to 100% funding for apprenticeships.
You are able to increase the skills set that you have available.
Increase the flexibility of your existing workforce and increase skills and energy. 96% of employers say that apprentices are beneficial to their business.

There are also many benefits for the apprentice themselves. For example:

Earn while you learn. An apprenticeship offers the chance to gain skills, knowledge and a qualification whilst earning a salary.
You will gain real world experience. On the job training gives you the chance to learn skills by doing the job. You will also gain invaluable knowledge from work colleagues who have been working in the industry for years!
Every day is different. You don’t have to spend prolonged periods in a classroom. An apprenticeship usually combines, on the job training, classroom learning and on job assessments.

Our apprenticeships.

We are one of the few approved UK providers who can deliver the fencing apprenticeship programme. We have secured an ongoing funding agreement that ranges from 75% to 100%. The apprenticeship package we deliver culminates in the award of a Level 2 Diploma in Fencing and a Blue FISS CSCS card. Alongside this the apprentice will also gain a portfolio of training certificates such as ‘Abrasive Wheels’ and ‘Safe use of Power Tools’. The framework is approved by the governing body Lantra and meets the government’s criteria for the quality control of apprenticeships.

If you’re interested, or require any more information, please enquire here.

Alternatively, give us a call on 0121 476 4731.

Special offers on two courses – Birmingham (SSSTS) and Bristol (HSA)

November 30, 2017 By businessequip

We have two courses running on which we’re offering a huge 10% discount!

Birmingham – SSSTS

The SSSTS training is a two-day programme. It is designed for first line managers, foremen, gangers, team leaders and supervisors. The course is also especially relevant to those who have, or are about to achieve, supervisory duties and responsibilities.

Course Date: December 5th 2017

Original Price: £275

Discounted Price: £247.50

Saving: £27.50

Bristol – Health and Safety Awareness

The Health Safety and Environmental Awareness for Fencers course is for anyone who is looking to join the fencing industry. Furthermore, it is for anyone who is new to the industry, or anyone who is currently working in the industry. The Health Safety and Environmental Awareness for Fencers training is a one day course. It is also the approved course needed by all fencers and labourers and a requirement for GREEN & BLUE FISS CSCS card renewals.

Course Date: 4th December 2017

Course only – Reduced from £135 to £121.50

Course and Card Application – Reduced from £195 to £175.50

If you have an interest in any of our courses please enquire here!

Women in Construction

November 22, 2017 By businessequip

Women in the UK construction industry

Historically the construction industry has been a male dominated industry. However, in recent years positive steps have been made to increase the number of women in construction.

We’re going to be looking at what’s going on now. We’ll observe some facts and figures from reports about women in construction and identify some stumbling blocks to progress being made.

Facts and Figures – Women in construction

The construction industry in the UK is booming. The current forecasts predict that the industry will grow at a much faster rate than the UK average. Clearly, it is an exciting time to be a part of the industry.

The predicted growth will lead to an increase in the workforce. By 2020 a quarter of the workforce is estimated to be made up of women.

Furthermore, over the past decade women’s pay has risen an average of 6% per year. However, 41% of women believe that they still earn less than men.

Having said this there has been positive growth in the number of women filling senior roles in the industry. In 2005 6% of senior roles were populated by women. By 2015 16% of senior roles were occupied by women.

Clearly there are positive strides being taken to disassociate the industry with the ‘male only’ stereotype.

Work to do

However, the work cannot stop here. Although the industry is making positive strides there is a huge amount to be done. Many women still have apprehensions about the industry.

For example, a report compiled by Randstad identified three areas that have been reasons for women leaving the industry.

Firstly, 44% of respondents stated that improved flexibility would have made the industry more attractive to them.

Secondly, 35% specified that enforcing equal pay could make them consider a career in construction again.

Finally, 23% detailed that improved sponsorship and mentoring programs are necessary for women in construction.

Evidently the construction industry is heading in the right direction. We have witnessed this ourselves with the increase in women attending our courses such as the SSSTS and the SMSTS schemes. However, there is a lot of work to be done. Changing the ‘male only’ stereotype that has existed for hundreds of years will take time and effort.

There are now many organisations that are aiming to promote gender equality in the industry. For example, Women Into

Construction are a non for profit organisation that is putting huge amounts of work in to increase the opportunities for women in the industry.

We were lucky enough to meet a representative of their organisation when we recently attended UK Construction Week. The passion that Women Into Construction have is truly inspiring. The work that they do is something that we want to promote and support and you should too!