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Temporary Works Course: CITB Temporary Works Co-ordinator and Supervisor Training
Temporary works are engineered solutions used to support or protect structures, plant, equipment and excavations during construction. They may also be used to provide safe access to a work area.
Common examples of temporary works include scaffolding, formwork, falsework, shoring, trench support, excavation support and temporary access platforms. Although these temporary structures are not part of the finished building or asset, they can be safety-critical and must be planned, designed, checked, used and dismantled under effective controls.
A temporary works course helps construction professionals understand these controls and their individual responsibilities within the temporary works process. CITB temporary works training is widely recognised throughout the UK construction industry because it provides a structured approach to communication, co-ordination, risk management and site safety.
What Are Temporary Works?
Temporary works may support permanent works while they are being constructed, protect workers or members of the public, retain an excavation or provide access to a working area.
They can range from a basic trench box or access platform to complex façade retention, propping or falsework systems. Temporary works may support people, plant, construction materials or partially completed structures, which means failure can have serious consequences.
Effective temporary works management requires clear responsibilities, suitable design considerations, accurate information and controlled procedures for approval, inspection, alteration and dismantling.
Why Is Temporary Works Training Important?
Anyone involved in temporary works needs a working knowledge of the management process, the limits of their role and when specialist design support or additional checks are required.
The management process outlined in BS 5975 provides an accepted way of controlling temporary works from the point they are first identified through to their eventual dismantling. Current CITB temporary works courses refer to the relevant BS 5975 standards and industry best practice.
Training also helps organisations meet their responsibilities under health and safety legislation, improve communication between contractors involved and reduce the likelihood of unsafe alterations, structural instability or uncontrolled loading.
Types of CITB Temporary Works Courses
Temporary Works Supervisor Training Course
The Temporary Works Supervisor Training Course is a one-day course for foremen, supervisors and others who oversee temporary works activities on construction sites.
It focuses on the supervisor’s responsibilities during the erection, use, inspection, maintenance and dismantling of temporary works. Delegates also develop a clearer understanding of risk management, communication, co-operation and their position within the wider management process.
Trusted Construction Training offers the CITB Temporary Works Supervisor course through classroom and virtual delivery. The course is currently listed at £280 plus VAT per person, although prices should always be confirmed before booking.
Temporary Works Co-ordinator Training Course
The Temporary Works Co-ordinator Training Course is a two-day course for people responsible for managing and co-ordinating temporary works.
It is most suitable for site managers, project managers, engineers, senior supervisors and anyone preparing to take on a temporary works co-ordinator role.
The coordinator course covers procedural controls, documentation, design management, risk classification and the responsibilities of the contractors involved. It is commonly referred to as the TWCTC course, TWC course or temporary works coordinator training.
CITB Temporary Works Co-ordinator Course Overview
The CITB Temporary Works Co-ordinator course is intended for people who manage all forms of temporary works on construction sites.
The course focuses on the management and co-ordination of temporary works rather than teaching structural calculations. It considers the responsibilities of the Designated Individual, temporary works co-ordinator, temporary works supervisor, designers, contractors and other parties involved in the process.
CITB describes the temporary works co-ordinator as a key figure within the management process. However, completing a training course does not automatically establish that someone is competent to undertake the role.
Competence is based on a combination of education, training, knowledge and practical experience. The person appointing the temporary works co-ordinator must therefore consider whether the individual has the detailed knowledge and experience required for the work being undertaken.
What Does the Two-Day Temporary Works Course Cover?
The temporary works coordinator course is built around the four Cs:
- Communication
- Co-ordination
- Co-operation
- Competence
These principles help delegates understand how information should be managed and how the different people involved in temporary works should work together.
Topics covered during the course normally include:
- Responsibilities of the temporary works co-ordinator
- The roles of the Designated Individual, supervisor, designer and contractors involved
- Temporary works registers and document control
- Design briefs, design checks and approval procedures
- Risk management and risk classification
- Risk assessments and method statements
- Inspection and monitoring requirements
- Permits to load, use, alter or dismantle temporary works
- Interfaces between permanent and temporary works
- Procedures during erection, use, alteration and dismantling
- The consequences of poor planning and communication
The training course includes teaching sessions, group exercises, practical scenarios and case studies. This helps delegates apply the management process outlined in the course to situations that may arise on active construction sites.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for the full CITB Temporary Works Co-ordinator Training Course. However, delegates are expected to have sufficient construction knowledge and experience to understand the responsibilities involved.
Good spoken and written English is required because delegates must participate in discussions, complete mandatory exercises, understand the course materials and sit a written assessment.
A working knowledge of health and safety legislation is also expected. Relevant legislation and regulations may include:
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015
- Work at Height Regulations 2005
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
- Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations were amended in 2022 to extend certain duties to limb workers. Delegates should understand how personal protective equipment regulations, work equipment regulations, lifting operations regulations and other associated legislation contribute to safe practices.
Knowledge of approved codes of practice and industry guidance notes is also beneficial. An SSSTS or SMSTS certificate can provide useful background knowledge, but neither is a mandatory pre-requisite for the coordinator course.
Classroom and Remote Learning Options
CITB temporary works courses can be delivered through a classroom based course or live remote learning.
A remote learning course must follow the same scheme of work, learning outcomes and assessment requirements as classroom based delivery. Delegates still need to participate in discussions, group exercises and mandatory activities.
For remote learning, delegates normally require:
- A stable internet connection
- A computer or suitable device
- A working camera and microphone
- A quiet place to participate
- Valid identification
- Access to digital course materials
A classroom course may be more suitable for delegates who prefer face-to-face discussion and direct interaction with the trainer. Courses can also be arranged for groups at a client’s premises, subject to the provider’s requirements.
Trusted Construction Training offers both classroom based and virtual CITB temporary works training, helping individuals and employers select a format that suits their location and operational needs.
How Long Is the Temporary Works Co-ordinator Course?
The full CITB Temporary Works Co-ordinator Training Course lasts two days. CITB requires at least 14 hours and 45 minutes of teaching and assessment, excluding breaks.
The course is normally completed over two consecutive days so delegates can maintain continuity between the exercises, discussions and assessment.
The Temporary Works Supervisor Training Course is a one-day course, while the General Awareness course is completed online at the learner’s own pace.
How Long Does the Certificate Last?
The CITB Temporary Works Co-ordinator certificate is valid for five years. Before the certificate expires, delegates may be able to complete the one-day Temporary Works Co-ordinator Refresher course. Where the refresher is not suitable or the certificate has already expired, the full two-day course may need to be completed again.
The certificate is widely recognised on UK construction sites, but it does not prove competence on its own. Employers must still assess the delegate’s knowledge, experience and ability before appointing them to a temporary works co-ordinator role.
Benefits of Temporary Works Training
Effective temporary works training can improve both site safety and project management. A trained temporary works co-ordinator can help make sure that design briefs are complete, responsibilities are clearly allocated and temporary works are not loaded, altered or dismantled without the required approval.
This can reduce the risk of:
- Excavation collapse
- Scaffold instability
- Formwork failure
- Falls from height
- Uncontrolled structural movement
- Damage to permanent works
- Project delays
- Enforcement action
- Serious incidents and corporate manslaughter investigations
Clear procedures and accurate documentation can also improve business relations between principal contractors, subcontractors, designers and suppliers. Records provide an audit trail and help demonstrate that suitable controls were followed if an incident or dispute occurs.
Why Choose Trusted Construction Training?
Trusted Construction Training provides CITB courses for individuals and organisations across construction, highways, utilities and associated industries.
Our temporary works courses are delivered by experienced instructors who use practical construction examples to explain the management process, safety principles and responsibilities involved.
Delegates can choose from classroom and remote learning options, with public course dates and dedicated training available. The team can also help employers identify whether awareness, supervisor or temporary works coordinator training is the most appropriate route for their workforce.
By choosing Trusted Construction Training, delegates gain access to recognised CITB training supported by clear guidance before, during and after the course.
Book a CITB Temporary Works Course
Trusted Construction Training offers CITB Temporary Works Supervisor and CITB Temporary Works Co-ordinator courses through classroom and virtual delivery.
Contact the training team to discuss available course dates, current prices and the most suitable course for the delegate’s role and responsibilities.