There was a posting recently on another thread where it was mentioned that the SSMTS training scheme is becoming more & more popular. I am retiring but I like to keep my 'hand in' on training as this is an ideal way of me keeping in touch with the 'boys on the tools'...... so, whereas in years gone by during the months of Dec & Jan it has been IOSH Managing Safely that was the course that I predominantly (80%) got the call to run, it is now SSMTS & SSSTS, e.g. 2 IOSH MS courses versus 7 SMSTS/SSSTS. Is anyone else finding similar?

Perhaps someone from IOSH could reply if IOSH Managing Safely courses are declining? No doubt training as a whole has probably declined since the financial downturn began some years ago, but it would obviously be a concern if as training picks up, it is to the detriment of IOSH courses - possible impact on membership fees and other benefits as the course is probably IOSHs 'biggest earner’.

The SMSTS was and continues to be contruction specific and has better training material etc, therefore more appropraite for construction sites. It is a no brainer, unless your organisation is large enough to "tailor" the IOSH Managing Safey --and get it accredited to be delivered in-house.

Thanks jay - take your point on construction specific. Checked with clients via the centre this morning as regards future delegates roles & responsibilities; 18 managers/office functions, 2 receptionists, 3 security personnel, 12 engineers - the rest (62) construction. So roughly 60/40 split.

I'd have thought the answer was in the tile regarding these courses. SMSTS is the Site Management Safety Training Scheme, while SSSTS is the Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme, all run by the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board).

So wholly Construction focused. There is a greater picture to look at here though, that of the IOSH Managing Safely in general.

There is an increasing number of OfQual/SQA accredited providers offering Health & Safety training courses with national accreditation, at Level 2, Level 3 and even Level 4 in some cases.

Why would an organisation want to sign it's staff up for a 4-5 day unaccredited Managing Safely course, when it can have people undertake a 3 Day course which earns it's staff a Level 3 recognised qualification?
From a trainer perspective, the materials for such a course cost perhaps £100, a fraction of what the IOSH materials cost. It can therefore be offered at a lower cost.

The CITB courses have their captive market for the construction sector, but I do not see a future for Managing Safely with these other courses being available for the great majority of employers.

I think many of us would agree
I've stopped delivering it because I can't bring myself to lower my standards that far.

They may be 'owned' by the CITB & aimed at the Construction Industry but considering those that deliver the course have to provide & produce their own course content, which is in fact a very good thing as I hate delivering other 'peoples' courses, they can be focused & adapted to a large number of industries.

SMSTS/SSSTS is also becoming a pre-requisite to some H&S Schemes / Cards / Accreditations, regardless of industry. So, looks like another licence to print money, as I'm sure that some of those who thought such up, are on some far flung beach somewhere.

Victor,

Over the last two years I have found the IOSH Managing Safely go from being the course I invariably provided to not providing it at all at clients' request. It appears that then boards and senior managers no longer consider the 'new' version of the MS course appropriate for their organisations. IOSH's loss is others gain.

DJ

If IOSH Commercial data confirms these opinions then I would be happy to contribute to assisting a turn around.

Maybe we are wrong.
Maybe someone at the Grange could tell us.