The Specialist Access & Engineering Maintenance Association (SAEMA) has been recognised as a national leader in professional development, placing the association as one of best UK trade associations for learning and training excellence at the 2025 Association Excellence Awards, held at the QEII Conference Centre, London, on 7th November. This distinction highlights SAEMA’s ability to deliver high-impact, industry-leading training despite being a small specialist association competing alongside much larger organisations.
SAEMA’s three innovative online training courses – Permanent Part 1, Temporary Part 1 and Duty Holders – are transforming competence and safety standards in the suspended access sector. Delivered through the SAEMA Training platform, each course combines expertly curated videos, engaging animations and a rigorous online assessment process with built-in invigilation. More than 5,000 industry professionals have completed the programmes, demonstrating their reach and effectiveness in ensuring operatives and duty holders are fully equipped to work safely and competently. The training platforms were created and are managed by managed by Seddon Management Services – a specialist trade association management company.
Kyle Davidson, Chair of SAEMA, said: “Being recognised as one of the top trade associations for professional development is a real testament to the ambition and dedication of our members and team. Our training programmes are designed to raise standards across the sector and help ensure everyone working with suspended access systems can return home safely at the end of each day. This recognition confirms that SAEMA’s approach is setting the benchmark nationally.”
Judges at the Association Excellence Awards praised SAEMA for its innovative approach to learning and professional development, combining strategic vision, operational excellence, and practical impact on industry safety and competence.