Construction Courses: CIOB Certificate in Site Supervisory Studies

Surveying a site

MOL offers this qualification as a flexible course delivered via a UK-wide flexible learning programme, featuring an induction at a regional centre and a two-day site practical. In addition to high quality learning materials, you will also receive substantial tutor support via telephone, email and through MOL's web-based Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Key features of this programme include:
  • flexibility and responsiveness to employer and student needs
  • a robust infrastructure of quality assurance, tutor and venue management, and student support/administration that ensures effective programme management
  • tutors with expertise in supervisory management and the skills required to provide pastoral support

The level 3 Certificate in Site Supervisory Studies (CSSS) is registered with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority under the National Qualifications Framework.


Aims and objectives

The course is aimed at both practising and potential supervisors in the construction industry. A wide range of backgrounds and differing lengths and levels of experience are catered for.

The programme has four objectives:

  • to provide you with the skills, confidence, other personal qualities and underpinning knowledge that will equip you to carry out the vital role of site supervision
  • to enable you to make an immediate contribution to your employer and help in the creation of a leadership culture within the industry
  • to develop you as an individual and set you on the first rung of a career ladder that could lead to a range of technical, professional and management posts in the construction industry
  • to provide you with opportunities for progression to the Certificate and Diploma in Site Management, and possibly graduate and postgraduate studies

The keys to success in flexible learning are accessibility, quality and a high level of tutor support. Working with CIOB, we have been able to combine all three. The learning materials package includes our own high quality workbooks, CD-Rom and VLE – we use media to their best effect. We have also made sure that the industry itself has shaped the way the materials have been developed so that they convey the messages that CIOB wishes to get across to site supervisors. Because we are a national provider with an established infrastructure, we can ensure complete consistency of quality wherever and whenever the course is delivered.

Course structure

The course consists of six modules delivered via nine workbooks and a two-day site practical:
  • Planning Building Operations
  • Organising and Controlling Operations
  • Supervising Safety at the Workplace
  • Maintaining Lines and Levels
  • Working with People
  • Developing Personal Skills

The programme is expected to take 12 months to complete.

Assessment

Performance is essentially assessed by project work and six assignments.

Qualifications and progression

Upon successful completion of the course, the CIOB Certificate in Site Supervisory Studies is awarded. This qualification prepares students for the CIOB level 4 Certificate in Site Management. In addition, completion of the level 3 CSSS provides underpinning knowledge for the relevant Scottish or National Vocational Qualification (S/NVQ). S/NVQ awards depend on the assessment of your job competence. If you are unemployed or training to become a site manager, you may have difficulty in demonstrating the full range of competence. The CSSS is not restricted in these ways.