Temporary works are often unseen, yet they play a vital role in keeping projects safe and on track. From scaffolding and shoring to formwork and falsework, these temporary structures are business-critical. When they go wrong, the consequences can be serious — for safety, project delivery, and reputation.

That’s why organisations like the Temporary Works Forum (TWf) exist: to share best practice, improve standards, and make high-quality guidance accessible to everyone in the industry. And one of the most practical ways they’re doing this is through a set of free eLearning courses that anyone can access.

Who are the Temporary Works Forum (TWf)?

The Temporary Works Forum is an independent, not-for-profit body dedicated to improving standards in temporary works. It brings together contractors, designers, clients and educators to:

• Share knowledge and lessons learned
• Influence industry guidance and standards
• Support competence through resources and events

In short, TWf acts as a hub for collaboration across the industry, ensuring that temporary works are properly planned, designed, managed and executed.

Free eLearning from TWf

To help raise awareness across the sector, the Temporary Works Forum has developed three free online courses.

Each TWf course is:

• 100% free and open to anyone in the industry
• Short and flexible (around 2 hours, with the option to pause and restart)
• Designed to raise awareness of key roles and responsibilities
• Completed with a certificate of completion, making them ideal for CPD records

The modules currently available are:

• Temporary Works General Awareness
  A free, introductory module — perfect for anyone unfamiliar with temporary works. It highlights the principles, risks and responsibilities involved in managing temporary works on site.
• The Role of the Designated Individual (DI)
  Explains the duties of this senior role responsible for ensuring an organisation has the right procedures and people in place for managing temporary works safely.
• Effective Management of Scaffolding
  Focused on scaffolding as one of the most common forms of temporary works, looking at planning, design and safe management practices.

Free eLearning from CITB

The CITB Temporary Works General Awareness eLearning is also available at no cost.

• Takes around 90 minutes to complete
• Provides an introduction to the principles, risks and responsibilities of temporary works
• Includes a certificate of achievement on completion

This course is another great option for those looking to build introductory knowledge, particularly if you want a CITB-recognised awareness certificate.

Why These Resources Matter

Free, accessible learning like this has a big impact:

• It helps raise awareness among a wide audience, including those who may not normally have access to specialist training.
• It supports a culture of competence and safety across projects.
• It gives individuals something tangible to add to their CPD portfolio.
• It acts as a stepping stone towards more formal qualifications.

When Awareness Isn’t Enough

The TWf and CITB eLearning courses are excellent starting points, but they don’t replace formal Temporary Works training. Under BS 5975, specific roles such as Temporary Works Supervisor and Temporary Works Co-ordinator require structured training to demonstrate competence.

At Essential Site Skills, we offer a full range of Temporary Works courses, from free online awareness modules through to accredited Supervisor and Co-ordinator training. These courses provide the depth, assessment and certification needed for those with defined responsibilities in temporary works.

From Awareness to Competence

The free TWf and CITB eLearning modules are a fantastic way to start building knowledge in temporary works. They’re quick, accessible and ideal for raising awareness across your teams.

But awareness alone isn’t enough. To take on defined responsibilities under BS 5975, you need formal accredited training to demonstrate competence and safeguard your projects.

At Essential Site Skills, we provide the full pathway, from free awareness modules to accredited Supervisor and Co-ordinator courses, helping individuals and organisations strengthen safety and build confidence in temporary works.

Get in touch with us today to find the right course for you or your team.

Because when temporary works are managed with competence, every project stands on stronger foundations.