IPAF operator training heads to New Zealand
IPAF PAL Card
The first IPAF-approved training centres in New Zealand have opened and are ready to deliver high quality training for operators of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).
Accessman, the largest specialised rental company in the South Island of New Zealand, recognised the opportunity to offer IPAF training to meet the demand driven by the Christchurch rebuild, said Lena Harrington, Accessman’s general manager. Training is also being driven by the country’s evolving Health & Safety Act, which has recently undergone reform and is due for release in April 2016, she added.
“IPAF provides a professional alternative to the only option currently available within New Zealand,” said Ms Harrington. “Plus points are the five-year validity of thePAL Card, stringent training guidelines and streamlined processes. IPAF certainly delivers a total package with administrative support and innovative technology that will in time revolutionise the hire industry. The safety of our customers remains our number one priority and with IPAF on board, we have a training system that delivers by going above and beyond.”
Also starting up in Auckland on the North Island of New Zealand is Total Access. The company’s facilities have been audited and its instructors assessed and certified to be able to deliver IPAF training. There are IPAF-approved training centres across 34 countries.
IPAF offer a worldwide network of over 600 training centers with more than 100,000 operators trained each year.
The PAL (Powered Access Licence) Card is internationally recognized and valid for 5 years. The course is comprised of both practical and theory based learning with assessments.
The classes are kept small to maximize individual learning. The IPAF training centers are regularly audited to ensure they meet and adhere to the IPAF standards. Training centers also receive regular updates to ensure that you are receiving the best training possible. The PAL card can be instantly verified via an online database which not only includes a photo of the card holder but details of the card expiration date and machines the card holder can operate.
Together with the PAL card identifying their qualifications, each candidate is given a log book to record their machine use and an operator handbook. All machine manufacturers supplied by the Accessman Group are aligned with IPAF.
