Construction courses for adults: How to develop your skill set within construction

The skills gap in the construction industry is widely discussed, so it’s no surprise that many people are retraining to start a career in construction, while existing workers are keen to develop their skills to keep up with demand. Accredited training courses and qualifications not only boost your confidence but also help ensure you play a key role in supporting essential services.

The right construction training can help you gain essential qualifications, improve safety, meet employer expectations and take on more responsibility on site. The following construction courses give you the knowledge and confidence to progress while helping the industry fill its urgent need for skilled workers.

CITB SMSTS: Step into site management

For many adult learners, moving from hands-on work into a supervisory role is a natural next step. The CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is one of the most respected qualifications for anyone looking to manage construction sites safely and effectively.

Delivered over five days, the course covers planning, organising and controlling construction work while staying compliant with UK health and safety law. You will learn how to manage people, coordinate tasks, assess risks and create a safe working environment for your team.

This qualification is ideal if you are:

• Looking to progress from trades into management

• Returning to construction after a break and want an updated certification

• Aiming to close skill gaps in leadership and safety

With a growing need for competent site managers, the SMSTS certification can open doors to secure and well-paid roles.

High Risk Confined Spaces: Develop essential safety skills

Confined spaces are common in construction, including tunnels and culverts, as well as chambers and basements. Working in these environments requires specialist training that many sites now expect as standard.

The City & Guilds 6160-03 Working in High Risk Confined Spaces course teaches you how to work safely in challenging, enclosed areas. You will learn safe entry procedures, emergency planning, communication methods and how to use breathing apparatus correctly.

This training is ideal for:

• Workers moving into civil engineering, utilities or groundwork roles

• Teams that regularly operate underground or in restricted spaces

• Those who want to increase their value and employability on-site

As regulations tighten, confined space competence has become a key skill gap. Completing this course helps you stay compliant and boosts your confidence in high-risk situations.

Medium Risk Confined Spaces: Enhance your safety skills

Boost your safety expertise with our confined space training for medium-risk environments.

The City & Guilds 6160-09 Working in Medium Risk Entrant & Entry Controller Confined Spaces course blends crucial knowledge with practical, hands-on training, equipping participants to confidently handle real-world situations.

This two-day course is perfect for:

• Individuals beginning work in medium-risk confined spaces

• Supervisors overseeing medium-risk confined space operations

EUSR Category 1: Learn the safe use of CAT and Genny equipment

The EUSR Category 1 Locate Utility Services training course provides practical instruction in the safe use of CAT (Cable Avoidance Tool) and Genny (Signal Generator) equipment, in line with HSG47 guidance. Designed to support safe excavation and the accurate detection of underground utilities, the course reduces the risk of service strikes on construction and utility sites.

Delegates learn to interpret utility drawings, identify different types of underground and overhead services, and apply safe digging techniques. The programme covers relevant legislation, industry standards including BSI PAS 128:2022, and hands-on use of detection equipment. Assessment includes practical exercises, written and oral tests, and on-site evaluation.

Certification is valid for three years, ensuring operatives and supervisors maintain compliance and competence in locating buried utilities.

This one-day course is ideal for:

• Professionals who need to locate buried pipes and cables on construction or utility sites.

EUSR Safe Digging: Strengthen your excavation skills

Safe excavation is an essential part of modern construction, yet many accidents still occur due to poor practice or lack of training. The EUSR Category 2 Implement Safe Digging and Excavating Practices course gives you the knowledge to work safely around underground utilities and deliver compliant, risk-free excavation work.

This course is ideal for anyone involved in:

• Groundwork

• Drainage and ducting

• Utility installation

• Foundation preparation

As the construction sector expands and more projects require utilities coordination, employers need workers who understand how to dig safely, protect buried services and reduce costly damage.

Contact us

Whether you’re already working in construction and want to refresh your expertise or you’re a novice looking to get into the industry, now is the time to book onto one of our accredited training courses. 

Take the next step in your construction career and contact us to find out more. We’re here to help find the construction course that’s right for you.

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