Home » Edinburgh

Training Courses in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has a full programme of classroom training for the east of Scotland. Open courses run here most weeks across workplace first aid, the CITB Site Safety Plus range including temporary works, IOSH Managing Safely, the NEBOSH General Certificate and IPAF powered access. This page lists the scheduled courses in Edinburgh from approved training providers, so you can compare dates, venues and prices in one place and book the one that suits.

See all course dates in Edinburgh

WhereEdinburgh, ScotlandVenues in the city centre and at training centres further out
FormatClassroom, open coursesBook one place or several; on-site delivery available for groups
Main schemesFirst aid, CITB, IOSH, IPAFPlus NEBOSH, fire marshal and CITB temporary works courses
NearbyGlasgow and DunfermlineMore dates across the central belt and Fife if Edinburgh is full
First aid and fire marshal SMSTS and CITB IOSH and NEBOSH IPAF Venues

First aid courses in Edinburgh

First aid is the largest group of courses running in Edinburgh, with dates most weeks from more than one provider, so there is a choice of venue as well as date. The one-day Emergency First Aid at Work course suits lower-risk workplaces such as offices and shops. The three-day First Aid at Work course is for higher-risk settings and larger sites, including construction, manufacturing and warehousing.

Both certificates last three years. First Aid at Work holders renew with the two-day Requalification course; Emergency First Aid at Work holders simply repeat the one-day course. Paediatric First Aid, the two-day course for nurseries, childminders and anyone who looks after young children, also runs in the city.

Half-day fire marshal training is available in Edinburgh from more than one provider, and is often booked alongside first aid by the same member of staff.

Not sure which course or how many first aiders you need? Use our free first aid needs calculator, or browse all first aid training.

SMSTS, SSSTS and CITB courses in Edinburgh

The CITB Site Safety Plus range runs in Edinburgh with dates published well into next year, which helps when you are planning renewals. The five-day SMSTS is for site managers, and the two-day SSSTS is for first-line supervisors, gangers and foremen.

Both certificates last five years and must be renewed before they expire; the two-day SMSTS Refresher runs in Edinburgh, and SSSTS Refresher dates are listed across Scotland. If the certificate lapses, CITB requires the full course again. The one-day Health and Safety Awareness course is the usual route towards the CSCS Labourer card, alongside the CITB health, safety and environment test.

Edinburgh is also one of the few places in Scotland with scheduled temporary works training: the two-day Temporary Works Coordinator course and the one-day Temporary Works Supervisor course both run in the city.

For the national picture see SMSTS courses, SSSTS courses and all CITB courses.

IOSH and NEBOSH courses in Edinburgh

IOSH Managing Safely runs in Edinburgh from several providers, over three days. It is aimed at managers and supervisors in any sector who are responsible for other people's safety, and is assessed by a short test and a workplace risk assessment project.

The NEBOSH General Certificate is the step up for anyone moving into a health and safety role. Classroom tuition in Edinburgh is taught over two weeks, leading to the NG1 open-book examination and the NG2 workplace risk assessment.

Compare every format, including live online and e-learning, under IOSH courses and NEBOSH courses.

IPAF training in Edinburgh

For powered access, the IPAF 3a and 3b operator course covers scissor lifts and mobile booms in one day. The 1b, 3a and 3b version adds static booms such as van and trailer mounts. IPAF PAL cards last five years.

See all IPAF courses nationally. PASMA tower courses are listed across Scotland.

Where the courses run in Edinburgh

Training venues are spread across the city and are not all in the centre. Some are central and suit delegates arriving by train, tram or bus; others are at training centres further out, where parking is usually easier and practical courses such as IPAF have the space and equipment they need. The City Bypass, the M8 and M9, and the Queensferry Crossing put most venues within reach of delegates driving in from the Lothians, Fife, the Borders and the central belt. The exact venue and postcode are shown on every course listing, with a map, so check it before you book.

Can't find a date in Edinburgh?

Booking for a team

  • Open courses take single places or several, booked online
  • With enough delegates, on-site training at your own premises in Edinburgh often costs less per head
  • Our free group travel cost calculator compares venues for a team spread across the region
  • Browse every county and town on the locations A–Z

Renewing a ticket? Check the date first

SMSTS, SSSTS and IPAF all run on five-year cycles and first aid on three, and CITB refreshers can only be taken while the original certificate is still in date. Edinburgh refresher courses fill quickest in the weeks before popular expiry dates, so check your expiry date and book a month or two ahead.

Common questions about training in Edinburgh

Do I need one-day or three-day first aid?

That comes from your first aid needs assessment. Low-risk workplaces with small numbers usually need Emergency First Aid at Work, the one-day course. Higher-risk work, larger headcounts, shift patterns and remote sites point towards the three-day First Aid at Work course. Our first aid needs calculator gives a starting answer in a couple of minutes.

Should I book SMSTS or SSSTS?

It depends on your role, not your trade. SMSTS is for people who manage a site: planning, organising and controlling the work, including site managers, contracts managers and agents. SSSTS is for those who supervise a gang or a section of the work day to day. Most principal contractors ask for SMSTS from anyone running a site and SSSTS from every supervisor. Compare SMSTS and SSSTS dates in Scotland.

My SMSTS or SSSTS is about to expire. Can I still take the refresher?

Yes, provided you complete the refresher before the expiry date on your certificate. CITB does not allow a grace period: once the certificate has lapsed you need to retake the full five-day SMSTS or two-day SSSTS. If Edinburgh refresher dates are too late, check the rest of Scotland before the date passes.

Temporary Works Coordinator or Supervisor: which course?

The Temporary Works Coordinator is the person appointed to manage the whole temporary works process on a project: the register, design briefs, checks and permits to load and strike. That is the two-day course. The Temporary Works Supervisor assists the coordinator and oversees the temporary works on site day to day, and takes the one-day course. On larger jobs a contractor will usually need both roles filled.

Are the courses in Edinburgh city centre, and what about the Low Emission Zone?

Some venues are central, but others are further out. Edinburgh's Low Emission Zone covers the city centre, and vehicles that do not meet its emission standards are penalised for entering it. If you are driving to a central venue, check your vehicle first or use the tram, train or park and ride; venues outside the centre are not affected. The postcode and a map are on each course listing, and they differ from course to course even within the same scheme.

Can you run a course at our premises in Edinburgh?

Yes. Most of the courses on this page can be delivered on site for a group, on dates you choose. It usually becomes cheaper than open-course places at around six to eight delegates, and the trainer can refer to your own site, plant and procedures. Send the details through the on-site training page for a quote.

Compare course dates and prices in Edinburgh below

Envico is an independent booking service. We list scheduled courses in Edinburgh from approved training providers so you can compare dates, venues and prices side by side, then book online. New courses and dates are added as providers release them. Training a team from across the region? Our free group travel cost calculator works out which venue is cheapest for everyone to reach.

Filter products
Clear all

28 Products