News
Training boost for UK energy sector
In a move that could be viewed as a bellwether for the UK’s energy sector, leading training centres Survivex, in Aberdeen, and AIS Training, in Newcastle, reopened this week after enforced closure due to coronavirus. As part of 3T Energy Group which counts BP, Shell and Total among its clients and is the UK’s biggest training provider to the sector, the reopening of the two world-renowned training centres, indicates an industry gearing back up after the lockdown and the impacts of the global pandemic.
Kevin Franklin, CEO of 3T Energy Group says: “We have adapted to the ‘new normal’ by leaving no stone unturned in ensuring our sites are the safest on the market. We have worked day and night since March to adapt to the Coronavirus challenge, and we are now ready for the post lockdown training environment.”
Ahead of the reopening 3T carried out full, detailed risk assessments at both facilities, implementing even more stringent measures to ensure the safety of everyone on site including on-site medical questionnaires and checks, temperature checks, and operating at 20% capacity with reconfigured classrooms to allow for safe reopening as well as daily protocol reviews. The company has also been using the downtime caused to develop world-first technology-driven training techniques for launch to the market soon, parts of which will be rolled into its training centres immediately. State-of-the-art video technology and tablet use are now in place in every relevant location.
Helping to get the sector moving again
With 3T specialising in training delegates in critical skills for use across the whole energy sector, including onshore and offshore Oil & Gas, the reopening of the centres represents a turning point following Coronavirus-related disruption. Many delegates have not been able to complete essential training and refresher courses that allow them to safely carry out their duties on site.
Paul Stonebanks, president of 3T Energy Group, says: “Health and safety training is an essential cog in many industries, but none more so than energy. Delegates need to be able to continue their development and access refresher training on their skills so that they are ready to go back on to site, whether that’s offshore or onshore.
“Over the past few months, we have been developing new technology that will truly revolutionise training in the energy industry. We’ll be rolling that out in due course, but for the time being we’ve included some of this into the training centres to ensure customers receive the very best service in the market.”
As Kevin adds; “We would categorically not be reopening if we could not provide a safe environment. We are the number one training provider for a reason and our dedication to safety on site is second to none – the measures we have put in place are testament to that. These precautions are the new normal.“Our facilities have been upgraded to combat Coronavirus and have changed completely as a result, without compromising quality of training. Customers and staff go through rigorous entrance procedures to maintain the new standard and protect all employees and delegates”.
Paul concludes; “We’re glad to be doing our bit to help the sector and the local and UK economy get moving again.”