Training Courses
Soil Training
The British Society of Soil Science recognises the importance of education and training quality and availability to soil science as a profession. Two key aspects of its long-term strategy are supporting and encouraging the education of soil science, and ensuring high standards of professional practice for those working with soils. To help us reach these aims we run our own training courses, under the banner of Working with Soils, and also promote courses from other providers where the content has been judged to be robust.
We can also deliver training for groups so if this is of interest, please contact admin@soils.org.uk for further information.
Please note that although our courses are not accredited, you will receive a certificate of attendance.
We have been working with a group of employers to develop a Level 7 Soil Scientist Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship has been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) and is currently being delivered at UK institutions.
Register Your Interest and Book onto Our Courses
Working With Soils
A Practical Introduction to Soils in Great Britain
This course covers two days and is targeted at people who want to improve their field soil description and identification skills. It includes introductory presentations, practical sessions on soil description techniques and then field visits to demonstrate a range of soil types and to hone your profile description skills.
You will be given a comprehensive course manual that details description techniques, copies of the Soil Survey Field Manual, and The Fragile Skin: Soil Landscapes f the UK, a X10 hand lens for magnifying soil features and soil recording cards for you to use into the future.
You will leave the course having gained:
1) An understanding of the nature of soils and how they develop,
2) The ability to produce a comprehensive soil profile description including the horizons (topsoil and subsoil layers) and properties of the soil profile according to the nationally recognised Field Manual.
3) An understanding of the structure of the national soil classification.
4) Knowledge of the key diagnostic topsoil and subsoil horizons types that are used to identify different soil classes.
5) Knowledge of key published, unpublished and digital information sources on UK soils.
The course will provide you with the sound foundation you need to progress to becoming a confident field soil practitioner.
LearninG outcomes
1) A better knowledge and understanding of what soil is, how it forms and the processes and factors that drive soil development
2) A better knowledge and understanding of how and why soils vary within the landscape including key diagnostic horizons and soil classes.
3) Knowledge of key information sources and their interpretation for different applications
4) The ability to describe and interpret a soil profile and/or its horizon consistently in the field including the assessment of, as a minimum, organic matter type, soil texture and stoniness, colour, structure, porosity, lime content and water regime.
Course Duration
2 Day course.
29 – 30 October (Shuttleworth, Bedfordshire)
An Introduction to Soil Classification
This online course is held over two days and is aimed at researchers and others who want to gain a perspective of how their local field experimental sites and their results fit into the current picture of soil variation at UK and, in particular global scales.
It is important that all delegates who wish to attend the course should be well versed in soil profile description, e.g. using the Soil Survey Field Handbook or have attended one of the BSSS ‘Practical Introduction to Soils in Great Britain’ training courses.
Delegates will receive a comprehensive course manual detailing the techniques for classifying soil types using a global classification system, copies of the Soil Survey Field Manual, and The Fragile Skin: Soil Landscapes of the UK, a X10 hand lens for magnifying soil features and soil classification recording cards for your future use.
The course is designed to give delegates:
- An understanding of the strengths and weakness of soil classification and why it is linked to soil mapping.
- An understanding of the structure of different classifications used in the UK and why they differ.
- An understanding of the two systems used at the global level and why the FAO / IUSS World Reference Base (WRB) is most appropriate to correlate soils at the global level.
- The ability and tools to identify the local WRB soil type in the field.
- Knowledge of the different abilities of WRB UK soil types to support beneficial soil functions.
It will provide the sound foundation you need to place the information gained from your local field studies or trials in their national and global contexts.
Duration
2 days
16-17 September, Online
Working With Soils
A Practical Introduction to the Role of Soils in Catchment management
This hands-on, two-day course is designed to fill key knowledge and skills gaps in the application of soil science for improving water quality and quantity outcomes.
Through a mix of presentations, fieldwork, and guided practice, participants will learn to move beyond problem diagnosis and towards practical, field-ready solutions that support landowners and farmers in implementing effective soil and water management strategies.
You will be given a comprehensive course manual that details description techniques, copies of the Soil Survey Field Manual, a X10 hand lens for magnifying soil features and soil recording cards for you to use into the future.
What You Will Learn
- How to identify those soil properties that determine key hydrological pathways identified in the HOST classification (Hydrology of Soil Types).
- How to identify those soil types that are particularly susceptible to increased runoff, erosion, and compaction as a result of conventional agricultural practices.
- How to diagnose field problems and propose practical mitigation measures using evidence-based approaches.
- How to confidently undertake field investigations, including reading the landscape – examining soils and interpreting field evidence.
- Use of on-line tools such as NVZ maps, A.L.E.R.T., and other resources to provide background information prior to field investigation.
- The key hard copy and on-line data sources on UK soils.
The course will provide you with the sound foundation you need to assess the interactions between soils and river flows and water quality.
Learning outcomes
- Understand how soils affect water movement and quality using the HOST classification.
- Evaluate both topsoil and subsoil conditions in the field.
- Recommend realistic soil management strategies to reduce runoff, erosion, and compaction.
- Conduct field investigations across a range of land uses and landscapes.
- Confidently apply soil science in a more practical setting.
Course Duration
2 Day course.
15 – 16 October (Lancaster University, Lancashire)
Working With Soils
Agricultural Land Classification Course
Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) has a formal role in the planning system in England and Wales and is designed to prevent the loss of our best and most versatile land in line with the principles of sustainable development.
This training course, designed and presented by agricultural land classification (ALC) experts from Natural England and the Welsh Government, offers a unique opportunity to learn about the background and technical basis of the current ALC guidelines.
By the end of the course you will learn:
- about how the ALC system has developed over time, its underlying principles and its role within the planning system – the WHAT, WHY and WHEN of ALC
- all the details of how land is graded – the HOW of ALC
- what a report should contain to be verified by the Natural England and Welsh Government statutory consultees on planning applications involving soils and agriculture.
The course will include the opportunity to work within a group to undertake an ALC grading desk exercise to apply what you have learned.
This course is designed for soil scientists who wish to extend their experience to (or refresh an existing awareness of) Agricultural Land Classification, those commissioning ALC surveys from specialists, and planners reviewing ALC reports.
2 day training course
12-13 November, Cranfield University (Bedfordshire)