Everything You Need to Know about the DRHS Course [Updated January 2025]

Who is the DRHS course for?

This course has been developed for directors and senior managers active in a health and safety strategic role in the built environment from any organisational size in construction, civil engineering, or allied trades, and therefore this should be considered before enrolling delegates on to this course.

Examples of relevant roles (not exhaustive) are:

• Financial/Operations director
• Senior quantity surveyor (QS)
• Private QS
• Principal designer
• Senior/principal engineer
• Company secretary
• Contracts manager
• Senior project manager
• Non-executive director

Why do I need this?

This course will assist in promoting compliance and a positive organisational culture for health and safety. Group exercises throughout the day will give delegates the opportunity to discuss their thoughts about health and safety and their responsibilities in an open forum.

The course aims to help directors to:

• Recognise the moral, economic, and legal costs/implications of decisions made in the boardroom that may make their business liable
• Understand the significance of strategic management of risks
• Appreciate the range of consequences from failing to manage health and safety effectively
• Understand the importance of competent duty holders, and the significance of their cooperation, communication and coordination of health and safety on projects
• Recognise the need to appoint competent health and safety assistance, and the limitations of such an appointment, and
• Identify the basic tools to introduce a proactive health and safety culture into an organisation and the benefits of this approach.

Where is this course held?

This course can be held in a classroom or remotely over Zoom. They are both in a live classroom. 

How long does the DRHS course take to complete?

The course is held in a day (7.5 hours)

Will I be issued with a certificate upon successful DRHS completion?

Yes. On successful completion, the learner will receive an accredited digital CITB certificate. A proof of pass can be immediately provided if required though.

How long is the DRHS certificate valid for?

The certificate is valid for 5 years. There is no refresher so you’re just required to retake the course.

Is there CITB levy completion grant attached to this course?

Yes! There is a £60 grant attached to this course. As an ATO, we’d automatically claim this on your behalf.

Is there a progression for this course?

L7 Senior Management qualification (Black Senior Manager CSCS card)

What is the L7 NVQ

Comparable with a Postgraduate degree (PGDip) in Construction Management, the L7 NVQ provides the opportunity for senior professionals within the sector to boost their careers by becoming a Chartered Member (MCIOB) of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and also achieve the Black Senior Managers CSCS card.

Please watch this video on what it means to become MCIOB!

How is this NVQ delivered?

The L7 NVQ is completed by demonstrating your performance by providing documentary evidence of you carrying out the role of a senior manager. You will be allocated an assessor who will help build your portfolio, giving you help and guidance throughout your assessment. 

Is there a CITB levy completion grant attached to this course?

Yes! There is a £600 grant attached to this NVQ. As an ATO, we’d automatically claim this on your behalf.

Fully Funding Future Skills Training

CITB is providing 100% funding for a limited period from January through to end of March to test fully funding future skills training.

As a CITB Levy registered company, you can benefit from 100% funding for a limited time from January through to the end of March to fully fund future skills.

This covers training such as Leadership and Management, Digital Skills, Net Zero and Green Skills. Training must be completed by the 31st March in order to qualify for full funding. This includes the following NVQ’s if they are enrolled before the end of March (NVQ’s do not need to be completed by this date):

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

• Level 7 Diploma in Construction Senior Management
• Level 6 Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Management
• Level 6 Diploma in Construction Site Management
• Level 6 Diploma in Senior Site Inspection
• Level 4 Diploma in Construction Site Supervision
• Level 3 Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations
• Level 3 Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision (Construction)

NET ZERO

Insulation

• Level 2 NVQ Diploma Insulation and Building Treatments
• Level 3 NVQ Diploma Insulation and Building Treatments 

Waterproofing

• Level 2 NVQ Diploma Waterproof Membrane Roofing Systems 
• Level 2 NVQ Diploma Sub-Structure Work Occupations – Pathway 13 Structural Waterproofing Roofing

Roofing

• Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Roofing Occupations (on Pathway 6 – Solar Collector Roofer – Access, and Pathway 7 – Solar Collector Roofer – Protection/Handover)

What you need to know:

• Company must be up to date with the annual CITB levy return and any related payments
• Company needs to be signed up to the CITB Employer Networks, if not already, your regional advisor will do this with you
• This is simplified funding – there will be no CITB Short Qualification Grant on achievement of this qualification
• If delegates leave before completing and you have no replacement, you will have to cover the cost of the qualification to reimburse the CITB
• Delegates will need to be enrolled before 31st March 2025
• The same eligibility rules apply as for the CITB Grants and full details can be found in the Grants Scheme Policy see serial 5 for whom you can apply this for in your workforce
• If you have an unspent Skills and Training fund, the possibility of funding via this route as an alternative may be explored first

Why choose Workforce Skills Support 

We are proud of our successful achievement/pass rates for Directors Roles for Health and Safety (DRHS) and the NVQ Level 7 in Senior Construction Senior Management, in which you can gain Chartered Institute of Builder (CIOB) accreditation upon successful completion, our achievement rates are:

2021 – 2022 – NVQ Level 7 Construction Senior Management – 100% achievement

2021 – DRHS – 99% Pass Rate

2022 – DRHS – 96% Pass Rate

Do you have more questions about the DRHS course? Please get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team for assistance.