Are you looking to climb the career ladder? What are you looking to do?

Is becoming a Site Manager the answer to that question?

Other titles for this job role include Construction Manager, Site Agent and Project Manager.

A Manager holds a lot of responsibility on site. Some of the responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring all parts of the project are operating correctly
• Reviewing the progress of projects
• Supervising construction work
• Project planning
• Making sure that a project is completed on time and within budget
• Conducting inspections
• Abiding by contractual and legal obligations

The main responsibility, however, is ensuring the safety of construction workers during day-to-day activities while working on a construction site.

A Site Agent needs to be able to plan work well, be well-organised, and be prepared for responsibility and decision making.

There are a range of benefits of becoming a Site Manager. In this blog, we will talk about why it is beneficial.

Working as a Construction Manager, you will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of people, while ensuring the process and safety of the project is being carried out correctly. Not only do managers mix with labourers and workers on site, but they also have the opportunity to liaise with Architects, Surveyors and many more people.

No two days are ever the same in a managerial role. There is so much to do and so many people to communicate with to ensure every project is successful.

Project Manager salaries do depend on location, employer, and level of responsibility. The average salary ranges from £25,000 to £50,000. Where the average salary for labourer jobs hits around the £20,000 a year mark, the project manager paycheck is a huge step-up.

Assistant site managers can earn from £25,000 to £35,000

Trained site managers with some experience can earn from £35,000 to £45,000

Senior or chartered site managers can earn from £45,000 to £50,000

Some senior roles do allow you to make up to £70,000 a year.

It’s also super-duper simple to become a Site Manager, it’s easy. There are two main things you need to have when it comes to employers and getting on site. They are:

• CSCS Black Managers Card
• Site Manager Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)

These two aren’t legal requirements in the UK, but for the majority of employers and companies it is vital. The Manager card and SMSTS qualification shows a high level of competency and knowledge as well as plenty of on-site experience.

How can you achieve these? Well, to obtain the CSCS Black Card individuals will need:

• A relevant construction management or technical related NVQ/SVQ at Levels 5, 6 or 7
• A CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment Test within the past 2 years

Upon achievement of these, the individual will be able to apply and obtain the Black CSCS Manager Card.

SMSTS (Site Manager Safety Training Scheme) is a course designed for workers who are, or about to be, in a position of construction management on site. The course covers the necessary information needed for Site Managers to ensure work is carried out safely and precisely. This course is very important for all Site Managers, in order for them to protect those around them on site, Site Managers need the correct information and experience to know what to do. Without efficient training, confusion can occur and cause issues on site. The simplest mistake when it comes to safety can cause serious repercussions like an incident that causes a serious injury. To find out more information on the CITB accredited course we offer, please see our Site Manager Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) page.

On top of this, Total Training offers a SMSTS Refresher for those who need their qualifications renewed. This two-day course will enhance and update candidates on new requirements within the role. This refresher needs to be completed before the original SMSTS certification expires. This is not directly linked to achieving the CSCS card.

This role entails a lot of responsibilities and a high workload but ultimately is extremely desirable, and I think we all know why because even I want a slice of that cake!

Published by Rachel Clifford on Monday 18th October 2021