The call to action, initiated by High Speed Training, requests that asbestos training be mandatory for new apprentices in the trades. The firm wants the Department for Education to make it part of the curriculum in building colleges in the UK.

The call comes as the government announces a proposal to increase the number of construction apprentices by 5,000. Sadly, this figure is matched by the number of lives claimed by asbestos every year—even 25 years after the material was banned.

In an open letter, the asbestos experts urge mandatory asbestos training to be part of the apprenticeship curriculum.

The current requirements are for tradespeople to learn about asbestos at work, but 46% of tradespeople say this is insufficient.

November 2024 marks 25 years since all forms of asbestos were banned in the UK.

In light of the anniversary and to raise awareness around its dangers, High Speed Training, conducted a study on asbestos knowledge amongst tradespeople and the general public.

The research revealed a dangerous lack of understanding of asbestos's risks among tradespeople. Ambivalence towards asbestos dangers and a willingness to ignore life-saving handling procedures were found.

The research also discovered that the majority of tradespeople (53%) have a negative perception of the asbestos training that they receive.

One in five (20%) felt the training wasn’t authoritative, 19% thought it was outdated, and 11% claimed it felt like a tick-box exercise. Alarmingly, one in 10 (11%) have never received asbestos training.

Tradespeople were also found to be supportive of increased asbestos training. Over 70% agree that asbestos awareness training should be mandatory for college or apprenticeship curriculums.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of tradespeople said there should be increased awareness of the dangers of asbestos and its potential impact on families and others.