The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) is proud to announce its new corporate partnership with UKATA.
UKATA is a leading association dedicated to improving the quality and standards of asbestos training, with the goal of protecting workers and the public from the risks associated with asbestos exposure.
The association collaborates closely with its members to guarantee that they have access to the latest information, training resources, and industry updates. They provide a suite of support services to assist them in accomplishing their training objectives. Their membership encompasses a diverse array of organisations involved in asbestos training, including training providers, asbestos removal contractors, consultants, and equipment suppliers.
UKATA is committed to promoting excellence in asbestos training through the development and implementation of high-quality training standards, the provision of best practice guidance, and the promotion of safe and responsible working practices within the asbestos industry.
Speaking of the new partnership, BSSS Operations & Business Development Manager, Natalie Coles said “We are delighted to welcome UKATA as a new corporate partner. At BSSS, part of our strategy is to educate and inspire the next generation of soil scientists through knowledge exchange and engagement. This partnership is an excellent way to promote the importance of soil within the asbestos industry and enhance professional development through members’ knowledge and skills to handle asbestos-related risks effectively”.
UKATA’s Senior Operations Manager, Debbie Nixon said, “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Natalie to forge this agreement, allowing us to collaborate with an organisation committed to the study of soils. Following our first meeting at The Contamination Expo earlier this year, we knew we could form a mutually beneficial collaboration, and I look forward to seeing how our partnership evolves”.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced earlier in 2023, that a £60m fund would be made available to councils to bring neglected urban areas back into use. Disused and unloved brownfield sites across England will be regenerated to deliver thousands of new homes and jobs. This government position means asbestos in soils courses are a necessity. Personnel need asbestos in soils training to undertake their roles safely, coupled with an understanding of the key asbestos regulations and how they fit the broader context of health and safety legislation.
UKATA currently offer two major courses focused on asbestos in soils, designed for individuals involved in the development of brownfield sites, which are crucial in addressing the housing crisis: ‘Asbestos Awareness in Soil and Made Ground’ and ‘Management of Asbestos in Soil and Made Ground’.
BSSS 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 reach these aims, the Society run 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.
For further information regarding the training courses provided by both BSSS and UKATA, please visit https://soils.org.uk/education/soil-training/ and https://www.ukata.org.uk/training/training-course-portfolio/ respectively.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Dominic Simms
Communications, Marketing and Events Coordinator
dominicsimms@soils.org.uk
