The Site Safety Plus Scheme, run through The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), is designed for people working in the civil engineering, building and associated industries to boost their existing knowledge and learn new skills to further their career.
Looking to get your CSCS card? You need the CITB Health and Safety Awareness Course.
It is aimed at all levels of the workforce from the operative right up to the senior management levels to ensure that everyone stays safe at work. This includes courses for those who are seeking a CSCS Labourer Card to kickstart their career right up to experienced directors who have overall authority in respect to health, safety and the environment. The Site Safety Plus Scheme provides expert training and development which sets the foundation for career progression within in the industry and everyone can benefit from the courses that are available.
How Are These Courses Funded?
CITB raise a levy to firms in order to offer grant’s, provide card schemes and develop qualifications for the construction industry.
The current CITB levy is set at 0.5% of PAYE and 1.25% of Net CIS although if a business has an annual PAYE and Net CIS bill of under £80,000 then it is exempt from this although a Levy return still needs to be completed. A 50% reduction is put in place for businesses whose PAYE and Net CIS bill falls between £80k and £399k and the full amount is due thereafter. A consultation period is underway to change the levy rate to 0.35% of PAYE and 1.25% of Net CIS and it is expected to be ratified by Parliament in early 2018.
These Levy’s help to fund grants, which can be used towards the cost of the courses that we offer. As long as a Levy return is completed by the 31st of December each year then a grant can be claimed to help cover the price of the Site Safety Plus qualifications.
The grant year runs from 1 August to 31 July and they can be claimed after the employee has completed the course or when they gain the qualification. Even if the employee fails the Site Safety Plus course a grant can still be claimed. £50 per day per employee can be applied for in addition to an extra 10% if the Levy has been paid within the deadline. More information about how grant’s work for the Site Safety Plus scheme can be found here.
How To Apply For A Grant
The process of applying for a grant to fund a Site Safety Plus course is straightforward with 3 simple steps:
- Give your 7 digit CITB levy registration number to your training provider
- An automatic claim form is issued once the training is complete
- Simple sign the form and return to CITB Levy and Grant Customer Services before the 31st of October deadline
This form should be received within 1 month of the date that the course has been completed however you can also download a copy and send it to CITB Levy and Grant Customer Services before the deadline.
You can also email the form to [email protected].
What Courses Do We Offer?
At Project Skills Solutions we currently run 5 courses as part of the Site Safety Plus Scheme which are aimed at different levels in your organisation.
Health and Safety Awareness (HSA)
This is a short one-day course that is specifically designed for those who have either just started or are about to begin a career in the construction industry. It offers a comprehensive overview of health, safety, environmental and welfare issues that employee’s face on a day to day basis.
The Health and Safety Awareness (HSA) course covers health and safety law, the importance of risk assessments, the employer’s responsibilities and how to report unsafe working practices and accidents. Once completed, this course is a stepping stone onto the Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS).
Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS)
As you progress in the industry the next step for workers who are about to take on extra responsibility is the 2 day SSSTS course that is designed for supervisors, managers, foremen and team leaders.
It provides an in-depth look at the legal responsibilities managers have in the workplace. This course covers carrying out site inductions, how to conduct risk assessments, occupational health, dealing with emergencies and hazardous substances as well as eliminating bad practices from the workplace.
Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SSSTS-R)
Health and safety is such a rapidly moving environment and training needs to be undertaken regularly to keep up with the industry. The Site Supervisor Safety Training Refresher (SSSTS-R) is designed for those that have passed the SSSTS course and need a one day refresher.
It covers changes to health and safety law, recent trends and builds on knowledge gained on the original SSSTS. Candidates need to hold a valid SSSTS certificate and the course has to be taken within 5 years of this being achieved otherwise you will need to take the entire Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme again.
Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)
Aimed at quantity surveyors, site managers, construction directors, agents and project directors, this 5-day course covers the legislation in relation to construction sites. It provides a comprehensive look at safety in the building, construction and civil engineering industries.
The course covers safety control measures, risk assessments, responsibilities of supervisors, working at height and in confined spaces in addition to effectively implementing health and safety legislation. It is an integral resource to help foster a culture of safety in the workplace.
Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SMSTS-R)
This refresher course spans 2 days and is designed for those who have completed the Site Management Safety Training Scheme and still hold a valid certification.
It offers an up to date overview of health and safety legislation in the workplace along with recent changes and trends as well as measuring and auditing health and safety performance. It is an important part of maintaining a Site Management Safety Training qualification.
Where To Find More Information
You can find more details about the Site Safety Plus scheme and the grant’s system by following the links below.
- Health and Safety Awareness Course
- Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS)
- Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme Refresher
- Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)
- Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SMSTS-R)
Claiming Your Grant More Information