Last week leading safety training provider Safety Technology Ltd formally announced an alliance with Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) to deliver safety training to the Irish Wind Energy sector.
Based in South Wales, Safety Technology has a long history in delivering RenewableUK and Global Wind Organisation (GWO) accredited safety training to individuals working on wind farms across the globe, with training facilities throughout the UK, Europe and the USA. Now their sights have turned to Ireland, where Wind Energy currently accounts for a huge 15.5% of the country’s electricity needs.
Based in Killybegs, LYIT is the only college in Ireland with a Wind Turbine training tower, from here the partnership plan to deliver the industry specified RenewableUK and GWO training as part of the institute’s current Wind Energy Technician programme.
Commenting on the recent agreement Bob Dickens, Managing Director of Safety Technology said; “ We’re looking forward to working with the team at LYIT, they place the same emphasis as we do, on quality, safety and best practice. LYIT has been extremely proactive and helpful and we knew early on this was the partner in Ireland we wanted to work with. We’re looking forward to an exciting and long working relationship in providing the RenewableUK and GWO training to LYIT graduates, as well as surrounding wind farm owners and operators. ”
This addition of RenewableUK and GWO modules in Working at Heights, First Aid, Fire Awareness and Manual Handling to the current Wind Turbine Technician programme will result in LYIT graduates being qualified to not only work on Wind Farms in Ireland, but now the UK and further afield.
According to Dr. John Doran, LYIT and Manager of the Wind Energy Centre, “The alliance with Safety Technology Ltd will increase the employability of these graduates since it will include Global Wind Organisation and RenewableUK approved safety training and certification for their safety modules. Our graduates will leave us not only with a LYIT Minor Award in Wind Energy Technology, but also a BZEE Award and RUK/GWO certification in Working at Heights and Rescue, First Aid, Manual Handling and Fire Awareness.”
“It was a gratuitous meeting of minds,” continues, Dr John Doran, “LYIT was looking to enhance the qualification so that our graduate technicians would be approved to work in the UK and Safety Technology were looking for a partner in Ireland. This agreement could be a significant step in making Killybegs a centre of excellence for the wind energy industry.”
This further expansion of their training operations, means Welsh company Safety Technology can now offer their specialist training in Wales, England and Ireland.
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Press release, September 06, 2013; Image: safetytechnology