All aboard! Next stop industry leading subsidence training

Insurance professionals were on track to significantly boost their understanding of one of the most complex property issues by attending the Subsidence Forum Training Day.

The event expressed the response to a subsidence insurance claim in terms of starting a journey, which is why the Subsidence Forum likened its annual training day to climbing aboard a train.

Five technical demonstrations related to different stages along a claim journey were badged as station stops – though there were no delays or cancellations because the event went like clockwork.

Top subsidence experts

Subsidence Forum Chairman Paul Duddle, who is Catalyst Services UK’s Operations Director, said: “We wanted visitors to see the connections between every stage of a subsidence claim journey.

“The event was sold out and we got superb feedback from attendees. They got as close a you can get hands-on experience of a subsidence claim response from the top experts in their field.”

Brad Jackson, Catalyst’s Managing Director, said: “The opportunities to learn from the training day were impressive. In effect, the whole subsidence claims journey was laid out for us in detail.

“This is important, because subsidence response is a joined up process. It’s vital to understand the linkages to give claims customers the best possible service.

“We’re sure ideas shared will inform our services and our own training initiatives, through the Catalyst Academy, for our colleagues, for clients and for other insurance claims professionals.”

Directly addressing skills gaps

For the first time, the training day was brought forward from its usual date in October to give delegates an opportunity to gain knowledge in time for autumn when subsidence claims usually increase.

In his welcome presentation at the training day, Paul Duddle praised the INS‑PIRE Academy for receiving a King’s Award for Enterprise, one of the UK’s highest official honours for business.

The apprenticeship and trades training initiative is run by the Forshaw Group, whose director, Liam Hanlon, is a former forum chairman.

Paul Duddle said: “Receiving the King’s Award is an outstanding achievement, and the forum is very proud to have played a small part in supporting Liam gaining this recognition.

Subsidence Forum – strengthening resilience

Climate change is contributing to more volatile weather and more extreme temperatures, plus longer periods of drought, said Paul Duddle.

This is already increasing the frequency of subsidence surges and extending their geographical impact.

The surge process is complex, with different sectors of the industry engaged at varying times, depending on their position within the subsidence claims process.

These factors require the subsidence and insurance industries to respond differently to rapidly changing challenges, with new technologies and techniques.

Closing the forum’s training day Paul Duddle emphasised: ‘We must continue to renew our skills, develop new training capabilities, and attract new talent into the industry.

Find out more

Visit the Subsidence Forum website more information and to join: www.subsidenceforum.org.uk.

About Catalyst

We deliver a comprehensive range of services to resolve claims for a growing number of insurance providers, brokers, and loss adjusters.

They include: subsidence investigations, drainage surveys and repairs (mains and off-mains), water supply pipe repairs and replacement, water leak detection, and environmental services.

Telephone: 0333 004 8008. Email: [email protected].