Young people whose A-level results did not go to plan are being urged to consider a career in asbestos management, which could offer them the chance to earn, learn and build a successful future.
Ian Stone, Director at Northamptonshire-based asbestos management consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services, says he would not be where he is today if somebody had not “taken a chance” on him as a young man and introduced him to a career in the asbestos management industry.
His comments come as thousands of school and college leavers embark on their next steps following this summer’s exam results, and against growing concern about the number of young people struggling to enter education or employment.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, published on 27 August, estimate that 981,000 young people aged 16 to 24 were not in education, employment or training (NEET) between April and June 2026 – equivalent to 13% of the age group and 30,000 more young people than a year earlier.
Ian believes industries such as asbestos management could provide an alternative for young people who may not have achieved the academic results they hoped for or who simply do not see university or an office-based career as the right option for them.
He said: “I stumbled across an advert for a trainee asbestos consultant. It required no previous qualifications or experience, I got to visit all parts of the country working out on site rather than sitting behind a desk all day and, importantly to me at that age, I got my own van!
“What really changed things for me though, was that somebody was prepared to take a chance on me.
“I was given training. I gained qualifications and suddenly I could see a clear pathway in front of me with opportunities to progress. I genuinely wouldn’t be where I am today if somebody hadn’t given me that first opportunity.”
Ian has since built a successful career in the asbestos industry, spanning nearly 25 years. During his career in the industry, Ian ran ATAC, the UK’s leading association for the asbestos testing and consultancy industry, for three years and actively lobbied government about the presence of asbestos in schools. This led to him becoming heavily involved with the Asbestos in Schools Steering Group at a national level and meeting with many MPs over the years to highlight the dangers of asbestos in UK school buildings. Ian also hosts a podcast with his co-director, Neil Munro, raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos, and is a best-selling author.
He added: “That experience has stayed with me. If somebody comes to us with the right attitude, is willing to learn and is prepared to put the work in, I want us to be able to give them opportunities too.
“Exam results are important, but they don’t tell you everything about someone. They don’t measure work ethic, willingness to learn or what they could achieve if they find something they are genuinely good at.”
Despite asbestos being banned in Great Britain by 1999, the industry continues to offer long-term career opportunities. The Health and Safety Executive advises that asbestos should be assumed to be present in buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000 unless there is evidence to the contrary, meaning specialist expertise is still required to identify, survey and safely manage asbestos-containing materials.
Acorn is actively investing in the next generation of asbestos professionals, recruiting 17 trainees in the last 12 months.
As well as putting employees through the formal P402 (surveying and sampling) and P403 and P404 (asbestos analyst) qualifications, Acorn also operates its own Asbestologist Training Academy, which provides structured training frameworks for different roles, with individual tasks and competencies completed and signed off by experienced trainers. The company also invests in ongoing technical qualifications and management development, alongside mentoring from senior members of the business.
Ian added: “There can be a perception that if your A-levels haven’t gone the way you hoped, doors have closed. But, there are careers out there that most young people simply aren’t told about at school and asbestos is one of them. You can start at trainee level, learn on the job, gain recognised qualifications and build a fantastic career.
“If there is a young person looking at their results now and wondering what comes next, I’d encourage them to look beyond the obvious options. Find an industry and an employer willing to invest in you, be prepared to invest the effort yourself, and you might be surprised where it takes you.”
