Scaffold training targets Scotland oil and gas

CISRS has granted accreditation to a new scaffold training centre in the north east of Scotland, designed to meet the extensive needs of the construction and oil and gas industries within the region.

The UK£1 million purpose built training facility based at Clinterty in Aberdeen is the result of a matched funding partnership between The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and ASET International Oil & Gas Training Academy (ASET).

The business is the first scaffolding training centre in a region notable for the offshore scaffolding sector and will deliver a wide range of CISRS training ranging from apprenticeships to scaffold inspection.

Courses offered will include: CISRS Operative Training Scheme (COTS), Part 1, Part 2 and Basic Scaffolding Inspection Training Scheme (SITS). The centre will look to enhance accreditation in the future to include the full range of CISRS courses, Advanced Scaffolding and Inspection, Supervisory training, Systems courses, etc.

CISRS accreditation auditor, Trevor Donoghue said, “ASET and CITB have built an excellent centre here in Aberdeen, based upon the practical facilities I would envisage them increasing their CISRS course portfolio before next year’s annual audit visit.”

Atholl Menzies, chief executive at ASET, commented, “This is an exciting time for ASET and CITB as we begin to realise our vision of creating a centre of excellence for scaffolding training in the North of Scotland. This purpose–built facility is perfectly positioned to meet the demand for accredited training at introductory and advanced levels – from Dundee to Shetland. The facility will train and upskill the Scottish workforce and benefit both the construction and oil and gas industries.

“The apprenticeship provision will help to attract new entrants into the industry, making an important contribution to the local economy. And the extensive range of commercial courses available will open up new opportunities for employers and individuals alike.

“Organisations now have a greater choice in selecting the right training options to develop the skills of their workforce, and individuals can choose to develop existing or acquire new skills in readiness for market opportunities in the decommissioning arena.”