SEATS Training: What to Expect
Construction work can have a huge impact on the environment. Because of this, environmental awareness and sustainability practices have become non-negotiables for any site supervisor or manager. The SEATS training is designed to provide the fundamentals of environmental responsibility in the construction sector.
SEATS (Site Environmental Awareness Training Scheme) is a one-day course developed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), and its online format makes it extremely accessible. But what can you expect from the actual training?
In today’s blog, we’ll break down how the SEATS is structured, as well as the content covered by the course.
What SEATS Training Involves
The training exists to help construction professionals recognise and manage the environmental challenges that can arise on-site. It does so by breaking down all the relevant laws, policies, and specific good practices that apply to daily site practices regardless of where you’re working in the construction industry. Candidates aren’t just learning theory; they’re acquiring knowledge that will be immediately applicable in their roles.
Why Environmental Awareness Matters on Site
Environmental issues affect everyone working in construction, and the stakes are incredibly high. From the materials brought onto site to how hazardous waste is handled, every decision can have long-lasting, damaging effects on local ecosystems, surrounding communities, and a company’s financial and professional reputation.
Being environmentally aware isn’t just about compliance; it’s about professionalism and risk mitigation. A site team that understands its environmental impact is far better equipped to prevent incidents, avoid severe regulatory fines, reduce unnecessary costs through efficient resource management, and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with clients and local regulators. Environmental responsibility has become a core metric of project quality.
How SEATS Training Improves On-Site Standards
One of the biggest benefits of the course is the way it raises environmental standards across an entire workforce. Once personnel are trained, they gain the specific knowledge to spot potential environmental risks early, such as signs of poor waste segregation, fuel spills near drainage, or excessive noise and dust emissions affecting neighbours. The training helps promote a proactive culture of environmental responsibility, where everyone from operatives to supervisors plays a critical, accountable part in keeping the site safe and sustainable. This proactive, company-wide approach often leads to significantly fewer compliance issues and ensures smoother, more ethically sound site operations overall.
Who Should Take the SEATS Course?
The course is ideal for anyone who supervises or manages construction sites and has authority over site activities. It’s particularly useful for:
- Site supervisors and foremen who are on the frontline of implementing daily procedures and safety briefings.
- Site managers and assistant managers who need to understand how to write and manage the overall site environmental management plan.
- Health and safety advisors who are expanding their scope into Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance.
- Engineers and environmental coordinators who require a deeper understanding of on-site risks and procedures.
- Operatives who demonstrate leadership potential and want to progress into supervisory roles, needing this qualification to strengthen their CV.
You don’t need to be an environmental specialist to take part. The course is written in plain English, and is designed to suit people who work hands-on in construction, whether you’re highly experienced or relatively new to the industry.
SEATS Training Requirements and Eligibility
There are no strict formal entry requirements for the course. This accessibility is part of its design, ensuring that key site personnel can obtain this vital knowledge easily.
However, having some site experience is highly beneficial. Much of the content relates to real-world operational situations and challenges, so candidates should have a basic understanding of how construction sites operate.
Delegates need to ensure they’re in a quiet environment, have a stable internet connection, and are comfortable using a device with a working webcam and microphone. This is all mandatory for the live interactive session, and the final assessment.
Core Environmental Topics You’ll Study
SEATS covers a wide range of essential environmental topics that relate directly to daily construction work. These typically include:
- Understanding Environmental Legislation and Site Obligations: Learning the legal framework, including key regulations and what non-compliance entails.
- Managing Waste and Recycling Effectively: Mastering the waste hierarchy (reduce, reuse, recycle) and protocols for hazardous waste segregation.
- Preventing Water, Air, and Land Pollution: Practical steps for controlling surface runoff, silt, chemical storage, and managing dust and emissions.
- Using Materials Sustainably and Reducing Resource Waste: Strategies for energy efficiency, minimising water consumption, and ensuring the chain of custody for timber products.
- Protecting Biodiversity and Wildlife: Understanding how site activities impact local ecosystems and how to implement mitigation measures.
- Managing Nuisance Factors like Noise and Dust: Learning legal limits (statutory nuisance) and how to manage these impacts effectively within the local community.
How SEATS Training Is Delivered Online
The course is delivered entirely online. This makes it highly flexible and accessible to people working across the UK. Sessions are led by qualified, CITB-approved instructors in a live virtual classroom environment, using video conferencing and interactive digital materials. The live, interactive delivery ensures the quality of the training remains high, as participants can ask questions, engage in collaborative exercises, and receive real-time feedback, all without needing to travel or take unnecessary time off site.
What to Expect During Your Learning Journey
During your training, you’ll take part in tutor-led discussions, watch construction-specific case studies, and complete short activities that reinforce what you’ve learned. Trainers actively encourage participation and will relate the material to real construction scenarios you encounter every day. You’ll be encouraged to think critically about your own site and identify specific areas where environmental improvements, new policies, or revised procedures could be made. The goal is to make the course relevant, and immediately useful in your daily work, ensuring that the knowledge gained is actionable.
SEATS Training: Course Length and Structure
The course is designed to be concise and highly practical. It typically runs as a one-day session, and is broken into manageable modules that keep the pace engaging and varied. Each module builds on the last, moving logically from basic environmental awareness to more specific regulatory responsibilities and best practices.
By the end of the day, you’ll have a strong, comprehensive understanding of how environmental principles apply directly to your role and site operations, completing your training rapidly and efficiently.
How SEATS Training Supports Career Development
Completing the training can be a significant step in career development. This is particularly true for those aiming to move into supervisory or management roles (like the SSSTS or SMSTS).
Employers are increasingly seeking candidates who understand environmental responsibilities and can demonstrate a proactive, compliant approach to sustainability. Being able to talk confidently about environmental management on site sets you apart from your peers. It also shows that you take professional responsibility seriously. It formally gives you the tools and credibility needed to lead by example and support others in following best environmental practice, strengthening your profile for promotions.
Recognised Certification and Industry Credibility
This training is part of the wider CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) Site Safety Plus (SSP) portfolio, which means it’s backed by one of the UK’s most trusted industry bodies. CITB courses are recognised throughout the construction sector, and are valued by employers for their practical, standardised approach. Having SEATS under your belt demonstrates that you’ve met industry expectations for environmental awareness, adding crucial credibility to your skills and reinforcing your commitment to safe, compliant, and sustainable site work- qualities essential for securing high-value contracts.
Booking Your SEATS Training Course
Booking the course is simple, and can be done online through an approved CITB training provider like CST Training. You’ll be able to choose from a range of available dates and times to suit your schedule.
Tips to Get the Most from Your Learning
To make the most of your training, a little preparation goes a long way. Here are a few simple tips:
- Find a quiet space: Ensure a space free from interruptions to focus entirely on the material, especially important for the online format.
- Review the syllabus: Familiarise yourself with the core topics (waste, water, pollution) beforehand.
- Be ready to participate: The more you engage in discussions and case studies, the more you’ll internalise the practical applications.
- Ask questions: Trainers are experienced professionals who can give real-world insights into specific regulatory issues or site challenges.
- Bring your site issues: Think about a real problem on your current site (e.g., poor waste segregation) and use the course to develop solutions.
After Your SEATS Training: What Comes Next?
Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll be ready to apply your new knowledge on site straight away. You’ll have a clearer understanding of how to identify environmental risks, manage waste responsibly, and support your company’s sustainability goals. Many participants use the SEATS qualification as a foundation before progressing to further CITB courses such as SSSTS (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme), or SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme), integrating environmental and safety leadership for broader professional development.
Conclusion (SEATS Training: What to Expect)
SEATS is a practical, accessible, and highly relevant course for anyone working in the construction industry. It provides the knowledge and confidence to manage environmental issues effectively, reduce site impact, and maintain compliance with UK legislation.
From understanding waste management protocols to protecting wildlife and preventing pollution, SEATS gives you the tools to make better decisions every day on site.
If you still have any questions regarding the course, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Phone – 020 3488 4472
