YOU ARE ADVISED NOT TO ACCEPT TRAINING THAT IS NOT NATIONALLY ACCREDITED AND CERTIFIED BY ONE OF THE ORGANISATIONS LISTED BELOW
It is important to note that your Public/Employers Liability Insurance may not be valid for certain types of work unless you/your employees hold the relevant qualification(s).
Fork Lift and Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) Operator Training
Information on fork-lift truck operator training can be obtained from the following bodies who are recognised by the Health and Safety Exeucutive as competent to accredit and monitor lift truck training providers:
CPCS (Construction Plant Certification Scheme) cards issued by Construction Skills are very acceptable as they show that not only is the operator trained but has also passed the site safety awareness course.
The above organisations can often provide accredited training in most other items of plant including MEWPS and Hydraulic Lorry Loaders (HIABS). The CITB can also provide training in plumbing, scaffolding and carpentry etc.
IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) are the specialists in MEWPS (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms such as "Cherry Pickers" and Scissor Platforms), they have numerous approved training centres around the country offering training that is recognised by the HSE.
WARNING! The HSE is alerting users of powered access equipment and lift trucks to be on their guard against bogus trainers and worthless certification.
The move follows a warning about spurious training certification and plant operators' certificates. It is believed that a number of unscrupulous training centres are continuing to offer what they claim to be a nationally recognised certificate, knowing full well that, while the instructor is qualified to the required standard, the resulting certification is not. The HSE is reminding companies hiring powered access equipment and lift trucks that the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 require the employer to ensure that equipment is operated only by people who are trained to operate it safely, and the only way that the standard of training can be guaranteed is when it is accredited via a nationally recognised training scheme.
Lorry Loader (Hi-Ab) Training
Organisations such as the CITB offer Lorry Loader or Hi Ab training and certification but the specialist trade association and training body is the Association or Lorry Loaders and Manufactures and Importers who operate ALLMI Training Ltd. and the Lorry Loader Training Accreditation Service.
Aluminium Access Tower Training
Tallescope Training
Ladder Training
First-aid Training
The following organisations are accredited by the to provide First-Aid training for First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid, these are the only qualifications set and recognised by the HSE. An Appointed Person is NOT a First Aider.:
STAGESAFE offer both the Emergency First Aid and the First Aid at Work courses.
In addition many commercial organisations and local collages are also accredited to offer these courses.
The two first aid qualifications for use at work and that have been accredited by the Health and Safety Executive are the "EMERGENCY FIRST AID" and the "FIRST AID AT WORK" certificates, both of these qualifications require refresher courses after three years. Contact one of these organisations, your local collage or see your local Yellow Pages (under Training) for commercial organisations in your area. You are advised not to accept training that does not meet these standards or from organisations that are not HSE Accredited. Your local HSE Office can also give you a list of approved first aid training organisations in your area.
Fire Warden / Marshall & Fire Safety Training
Courses are now available from STAGESAFE.
Event Stewarding & Crowd Safety Training
The national qualification awarding bodies NCFE, City & Guilds (NVQ) and the Security Industry Training Organisation (SITO) both accredit courses and award qualifications in event stewarding. These qualifications are also approved by the British Standard Code Of Practice for Crowd Management Companies.
The International Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies at Bucks New University offers a range of training and qualifications including SIA training and those listed above and the following:
- SIA Close Protection License Qualification
- Pit Safety Training
- Crowd Safety Control Room Training
- Crowd Ingress and Egress Control
- Pedestrian and Vehicle Control
- Introduction to Crowd Safety Supervision
Contact these organisations for further details.
Electrician Training
The recognised qualification for an electrician is City & Guilds 2360 - this qualification is in two parts that is offered by many local colleges. An optional part to the qualification (Part C) is based on "competence".
City & Guilds also offer a Level 1-2 vocational qualification for Entertainment and Theatre Electricians (C&G 1810) and various other electrical qualifications that are of interest to those working in the production industry.
City & Guilds of London Institute
Rigging
PLASA now operate the National Rigging Certificate scheme, this is in fact an assessment scheme rather than a training course, candidates acquire their training by experience and/or by attending commercially run courses and then they can be assessed, there are four levels of assessment. Candidates are required to keep a log book detailing all the work they carry out. The companies listed here provide training that underpins the National Rigging Certificate.
Loadstar Rigging Motor Training
Specialist training schools for Loadstar Rigging Motors.
Lift, Turn Move Ltd (LTM) Tel: 0151 4690467
Fall Arrest, Rope Access and Rescue from Height Training
The Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) offer training in rope access and The National Access and Rescue Center (NARC) and Lyon Equipment and both offer training courses in rope access, work positioning, fall arrest and rescue from height techniques.
Firework & Pyrotechnic Training
For details of available training contact the British Pyrotechnicists Association and Firework Makers Guild (BPA), the Explosives Industry Group (EIG) or the Association of Stage Pyrotechnicians.
Laser Training
For advice on training with Lasers contact the Entertainment Laser Association (ELA).
Food Safety & Hygiene Training
Of prime interest to the catering sector, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH) both offer training and qualifications in food safety and hygiene, a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate is essential for all caterers and food handlers.
Computer Skills
A Government backed campaign introduces a skills passport for computer users, known as an e-skills Passport.
e-skills Passport is provided by e-skills UK, the UK’s Sector Skills Council for the IT, Telecoms and Contact Centres Sectors.
An e-skills Passport gives a unique profile of the holders IT user skills. It will allow the holder and employers to gain a better understanding of what skills are held, and identify areas which may need further training and development.
The e-skills Passport was developed in conjunction with major UK employers. It is nationally recognised by both employers and training providers and is an ongoing assessment of the holders skills, so it can be kept completely up-to-date.
e-skills UK aims to make e-skills Passport a valuable service that provides the holder the ability to self-assess and improve their e-skills.
Because the e-skills Passport is completely web-based, it can accessed from any computer with an internet connection.
e-Skillspassport Tel: 0800 028 2952
