09.09.2010

New crane trainer

A new crane training company has been established in the UK this summer by ex Ainscough Training employees, Ian and Sharon Fisher.

The new company, based in Preston, Lancashire, is aimed at promoting workforce competency for safer lifting operations by delivering NVQ qualifications for a wide range of cranes, including mobile, Over Head Travelling and loader cranes.
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Ian Fisher

The company, which was set up in July, has secured formal approval from the Construction Awards Alliance (CAA) as an accredited National Vocational Qualification assessment centre for planning and managing lifting operations.

Fisher spent 10 years with Ainscough Training Services and represents the CPA (Construction Plant-hire Association) on the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) management committee and has been closely involved with the development of various National Occupational Standards for cranes and lifting operations. Prior to joining Ainscough, he was with the
CITB (Construction Industry Training Board).

Speaking of the CPCS card scheme Fisher says: “Since the introduction of the Construction Plant Competence Scheme in 2003, thousands of operatives have gained their CPCS red card, but more NVQ centres are needed to give them opportunity to convert them to blue cards.”

The red ‘Trained Operator’ card proves to employers that the employee has been trained to the recognised minimum standard but CPCS requires that red card holders attain an NVQ and upgrade to the blue “competency” card within two years.

The blue cards are valid for five years and are renewed either by re-assessment or by recording 300 hours relevant experience in the employee’s log book.