Written by LetsBuild
Last updated September 19, 2023
Like anything to do with SMSTS, this is another tricky question!
Besides the time-scale differences, though, we also have pretty different course content between the two. Things that the SMSTS Course covers, but which aren’t in a Degree Course about nvq construction management
include:-
• Risk assessments/method statements
• Recent changes in accepted working practices
• Behavioural safety
• Management of occupational health
• Electricity
• Excavations
• Working at height
• Scaffolding
• Demolition
• Confined spaces.
If they are included in Degree Course, they are only touched upon, not covered in any depth. On the other hand, how deeply can they be gone into in just 5 days?
Find here: NVQ Construction management vs Degree
Now we have even trickier bits to come up with some kind of comment on! The SMSTS isn’t awarded any NVQ-equivalence! The NEBOSH Construction Management Course, something far more demanding that the SMSTS, is only an NVQ 4!
I think this indicates that the original question shouldn’t have been either/or !!!
If you want to be a Site Manager in the UK today, you have to have the SMSTS; you don’t have to have a Degree!
If you have a Degree in Construction Management, fine, but you’ll also have to have that SMSTS Certificate!
We also asked ourselves a similar question last time about why do we need a CSCS card and a SMSTS? Read the blog here.
