Following the launch of UKCG’s Environmental Training Standard, all site managers, supervisors and operatives working on UKCG members’ sites will be expected to complete approved sustainability training, while site managers will be expected to undertake additional training.
The Environmental Training Standard agreed by UKCG members last month sets a minimum requirement of environmental knowledge for all those working on UKCG member sites, including employees of supply chain subcontractors.
As it will take time for companies to put staff through the requisite training, UKCG members will be able to work towards complying with the standard “over the next few years”.
Under the Standard all site supervisors are required to either complete the Site Environmental Awareness Training Scheme (SEATS) or a comparable Sector Skills Council, trade association course, or internal company course that meets the knowledge requirements of SEATS.
Along with SEATS, or an alternative course, site managers will have to take the new SEATS+ modules, which were also launched this week, or complete a comparable course that meets the knowledge requirements of SEATS+.
The standard also requires site operatives to have a relevant CSCS card that requires passing the CITB Health Safety and Environment Test.
SEATS+, which is a UKCG product funded by the CITB and authored by the Responsible Solutions consultancy, is intended to provide more in-depth training for site managers and go beyond the compliance focus of the current SEATS programme.
Rob Lambe, chair of the UKCG environment group and managing director at Willmott Dixon Energy Services, said: “UKCG is pleased to be launching SEATS+ which will provide additional knowledge for site managers in a flexible online learning environment which minimises time away from site.”
Speaking at the launch Mike Putnam, president and CEO of Skanska UK and co-chair of the Green Construction Board, said he believed the new standard would help increase awareness and improve performance on construction sites: “SEATS+ and the UKCG Environmental Training Standard are good examples of collaboration across the construction industry.
“They will lead to improved environmental awareness and performance and help deliver the aspirations set out in the UK government’s Construction 2025 industrial strategy,” he said.
Like the SEATS programme, SEATS+ is not accredited under the Qualifications and Credit Framework but is accredited by Site Safety Plus.
The SEATS+ training, which consists of eight online modules that are expected to take an hour each to complete, costs £80 per person. Although this cost includes a record of achievement, there is a further charge of £35 to gain certification.
SEATS courses cost £155 per head.
