Tackling The Asbestos Skills Gap

Kerren Hayball

28th May, 2026

Our asbestos testing and inspection business, Lucion Services Ltd, has developed a Trainee Recruitment Programme that has not only transformed our own workforce development, it's helped reshape apprenticeship training across the entire asbestos sector.

When we launched our Trainee Recruitment Programme in 2024, we knew we were addressing a critical challenge. The asbestos sector was facing a well-documented skills shortage, with an ageing workforce and limited structured entry routes for new talent. Despite this, Plimsoll reported that the UK asbestos surveying and testing market experienced strong growth in 2025, with a reported industry average growth rate of 8.1%. Addressing the gap is essential for growth for all companies within our industry.

Recognising the Gap

After 21 years of recruiting asbestos surveyors and analysts, we recognised that traditional recruitment methods were no longer sustainable, not just for Lucion, but for the industry as a whole.

Through our experience, we identified that the asbestos sector wasn’t just struggling to find talent, it was struggling to attract, train, and retain it. With experienced professionals retiring and fewer young people entering the field, the skills gap was widening year on year.

Traditional recruitment methods restricted diversity and limited access to transferable skills from other industries. We needed a different approach that would:

Create structured entry routes into the asbestos profession
Establish recognised training pathways with formal qualifications
Improve retention through clear progression and support mechanisms
Target career changers, individuals from Armed Forces backgrounds, and those without industry experience

By widening the talent pool, we could help address the sector’s recruitment challenges whilst building a more diverse and capable workforce.

Building Something New

Collaborating with training provider TIRO, a leading apprenticeship provider for the Science and Technology sectors, we helped adapt their existing laboratory technician apprenticeship into a tailored asbestos technician programme, and truly reflect what a career in the asbestos industry looks like.

Our innovative approach included:

Assessment centres, ran by our People Team, to evaluate aptitude, behaviours, and potential in a more equitable way, moving beyond CV screening that often excluded talented candidates without traditional backgrounds.
Clear career trajectory mapping, giving trainees visibility of progression routes from day one.
Full-time employment guarantees upon successful completion, providing security and motivation for trainees to commit fully to the programme.
Assigned mentors and regular check-ins to maintain consistent development and provide early intervention where needed.

Chris Parr, QHSE Director for Lucion Services Ltd, explains:

“We recognised that without a formal training programme, no two trainee experiences at Lucion would be the same. Our traineeship offered a fair and standardised approach towards learning opportunities and provided accountability internally for new entrant development. We want to create equality of opportunity whilst building the skilled workforce we need for the future.”

The creation of our trainee scheme and the development of the apprenticeship have already reaped results. We’ve seen people from diverse backgrounds, including career changers, ex-Armed Forces personnel, and those with no prior industry experience, who have gone on to develop into confident, competent professionals. These are individuals who might never have considered the asbestos sector, or who might have been overlooked by traditional recruitment processes, now building successful careers in a field that needs them.

From Lucion to Industry-Wide Impact

Working closely with TIRO and the Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association (ATaC), our insights from the programme contributed to the development of two revised asbestos apprenticeship programmes launched in April 2026. With skills shortages affecting businesses across the industry, having robust, employer-led apprenticeship routes available sector-wide is crucial.

These programmes reflect the lessons we learnt on the ground:

Shorter, more focused training – Streamlined from 18 months to 12 months, reducing time to competence whilst maintaining quality.
Asbestos-specific learning earlier – Greater emphasis on industry-specific technical modules from the start, reducing duplication with in-house learning.
Two distinct pathways – Separate routes for site-based analysts and surveyors, and laboratory-based bulk analysts, ensuring the right people get on the right route from day one.
Embedded qualifications – RSPH Level 3 qualifications built into the apprenticeship structure, not bolted on around it.

Pete Henshall, Operations Manager for Lucion Services Ltd, reflects:

“Being involved in shaping these apprenticeship standards has been incredibly rewarding. We’ve taken our real-world experience of what works, and what doesn’t, and helped create programmes that genuinely prepare people for the demands of asbestos work.

The revised 12-month structure is more efficient, more focused, and delivers workplace-ready professionals faster. Something the industry needs as we all work to address the skills shortage.”

Shaun Collins, Senior Partnership Manager at TIRO, adds:

“Lucion has been instrumental in helping us understand what the asbestos sector truly needs from apprenticeship training. Their willingness to pilot the programme, provide detailed feedback, and work collaboratively with us and ATaC has resulted in apprenticeships that are employer-led in the truest sense. This is training shaped by the people who know the job best, and it’s now available to help employers across the sector bring through the next generation of professionals.”

Could You Be Part of Our Next Cohort?

The asbestos sector offers excellent career prospects, job security, and the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications in a specialised field. If you’re a career changer, from an Armed Forces background, or simply looking for a new professional challenge, our Trainee Programme could be your route into a rewarding career.

No industry experience necessary, just aptitude, commitment, and the willingness to learn. Drop us an email at [email protected] with your CV to sign up to our next programme.

Our Values

About us

Lucion's vision is to protect people and planet. To achieve our vision, we live by five key values, which are there to ensure everyone in our community enjoys playing their part.

1 Trust

2 Integrity

3 Innovation

4 Sustainability

5 Commitment

Trust

We are building a strong foundation of trust with colleagues, clients and wider stakeholders, based upon our experience, knowledge, quality delivery and value.

For our clients, it means they know they can turn to us to deliver the services they need, when they need them and to the quality they expect. For our team, this means we will listen to each other, give everyone a voice and work together to find solutions.

Integrity

We act with honesty, respect, fairness and transparency in all of our endeavours and through all of our interactions.

For our clients, it means using our deep sector expertise to put a close focus on their needs, so they come to us for a solution that acts in their best interests and protects their compliance goals with efficiency and ease. For our team, this means promoting diversity, inclusion and equality in our workplace, and remaining consistent in the quality of the delivery of our actions and behaviours.

Innovation

We welcome and pursue creative ideas that have the potential to make a positive difference to colleagues, clients and the community by raising quality or driving improvement.

For our clients, it means continuing to invest in all aspects of our business offering. Collaboration with them and others, and an openness to learn and absorb new information daily, will ensure they remain at the front of their field. For our team, it means empowering each other to challenge the status quo and seek out new opportunities that will better ourselves as colleagues and an international company.

Sustainability

We are developing our business with environmentally sustainable practices and building long-term trusted partnerships that benefit clients, colleagues and the planet.

For our clients, it means operating in line with UK statutory requirements and ensuring that we continue to improve and develop our environmental, social & governance (ESG), and sustainability procedures and objectives. For our team, it means creating a thriving environment in which our colleagues can grow and encourage one another to make a positive impact on the world around us.

Commitment

We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of others, colleagues, clients and the wider community, and to striving for excellence in all that we do.

For our clients, it means working for them swiftly, decisively and with effectiveness; fulfilling all of our commitments to them and being dedicated to building long lasting relationships right across our client base. For our team, it means always working as one group to deliver our mission, live out our culture and look after one another.

1 Trust

Trust

We are building a strong foundation of trust with colleagues, clients and wider stakeholders, based upon our experience, knowledge, quality delivery and value.

2 Integrity

Integrity

We act with honesty, respect, fairness and transparency in all of our endeavours and through all of our interactions.

3 Innovation

Innovation

We welcome and pursue creative ideas that have the potential to make a positive difference to colleagues, clients and the community by raising quality or driving improvement.

4 Sustainability

Sustainability

We are developing our business with environmentally sustainable practices and building long-term trusted partnerships that benefit clients, colleagues and the planet.

5 Commitment

Commitment

We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of others, colleagues, clients and the wider community, and to striving for excellence in all that we do.

We promote a culture of transparency and accountability, where everyone is encouraged to contribute ideas and solutions that benefit both the company and the environment.

Working primarily in the environmental and risk management sectors, we have responsibilities to the environment and the communities in which we work. As we innovate, develop and evolve our business to ensure resilience for the future, we seek to attract and retain the best talent through engagement and our conscious commitment to work sustainably. Our social value policy gives our teams the flexibility to support causes they are passionate about and contribute to meaningful projects. As well as giving you volunteering leave, we provide lots of opportunities to get involved with charity events and initiatives. By encouraging a culture of social responsibility and giving, we not only support important causes but also cultivate a sense of purpose and fulfilment among our staff. Together, we can create positive change and build a better world for future generations.

Company Benefits

Supportive Family Policies

We know balancing work and family responsibilities can be hard. We’re an inclusive employer, so whatever your parenting journey is, we will offer support when you need it.

Discounts & Wellbeing Platform

Our platform, Being Lucion gives you access to discounts and cashback from over 800 retailers, as well as wellbeing resources, our employee assistance programme and cycle to work scheme.

Charity Sports Events

Fancy getting involved in a charity bike ride or a half marathon? We’re always looking at ways we can offer our services or sponsorship to give something back to our people and local communities.

Environmental Initiatives

Each year we take part in World Environment Day initiatives to continue in our mission to protect people and planet, such as planting trees and seagrass as part of biodiversity regeneration projects.

Healthcare Cashback Scheme

Claim money back towards the cost of your essential healthcare including new glasses or contact lenses, dental treatment, physiotherapy and prescription costs.

Reward Bonuses

As a growing company, we are always looking to bring talented individuals into our community. If you recommend someone who joins us, you'll be rewarded every time.