Why Choose IPAF Training?

Paul Roddis, IPAF Training Manager

Paul has been part of the powered access industry for over 30 years, 20 of which have been spent in training specifically. That has led to him becoming responsible for the creation and delivery of all IPAF training courses worldwide. Prior to his current role as Training Manager, Paul was a safety trainer across several disciplines including confined space, scaffold towers, ladders and more. He is committed to keeping people safe by creating world class training for Powered Access.

With over 3 million people having completed IPAF Operator training, one question arises: with so many training options available, what truly sets IPAF courses apart from the rest? In this guest blog, Paul Roddis shares his perspective on what makes IPAF training stand out and why it continues to be a trusted choice across the industry.

“The fact of the matter is that anyone can write a training course, sell it to an employer and all seems fine until something goes wrong and the HSE have to investigate. It is only then that that employer needs to demonstrate that the training they chose was both adequate and appropriate as required by law. That means that the HSE will want to determine the qualification and competency of the person or organisation that created the training, the training content itself, the delivery of it and the controls around quality.

“I have personally trained people to operator level that, having passed, tell me that they are now, according to their awarding body, qualified to train other people to operate MEWPs.
The first time I was shocked but following research, yes that is exactly what this awarding body was doing and this of course all seems fine until something goes wrong.

“This is where IPAF training is different. An employer can rely on IPAF Training being adequate and appropriate for many reasons. Here are just the top 10:

Internationally Recognised Standards

It’s created to adhere to internationally recognised standards. The Operator training course for example is audited to conform with ISO 18878. A standard created by industry experts globally to ensure that MEWP Training contains everything that it should.

Accident Reporting Portal

IPAF uses the real data from its incident reporting database to inform creators of exactly what is happening, to whom, in what way and where. This allows creation of training that addresses the real incidents and provides solutions to prevent incidents happening to those people that take the training. The database has been in place for over 13 years and every year people from all over the world report their incidents and near misses and in so doing are part of something that helps us make using powered access safer. That in itself is an incredible thing. Reporting is easy on line and through ePAL, IPAF’s smartphone app and can be anonymous if anyone wants it to be. Organisations can also benefit from their own dashboard giving them the information to understand their risk areas and benchmark themselves against other similar organisations.

Resources for Members

IPAF’s unique blend of members provides a pool of knowledge and experience resources unlike any other. IPAF has over 100 Manufacturer members who help ensure the information we teach is correct. We have professional training members that want only the best for their customers and understand how people actually learn. We have rental members who provide insight into the end user and their challenges so we can really learn from them. We have safety professional members who are always working to reduce risk to workers through providing the best guidance and information which transposes through the training and finally we have contractor members that can directly input into what they need to keep their people safe and effective when using powered access.

The Science Behind Our Methods

IPAF utilises the latest scientific learning methods to create real understanding, not just words on a screen, that people hope others will remember. We have used learning science to create engaging learning that becomes a part of the learners being so that they don’t just remember things, the right way becomes the only way that makes sense. We also incorporate behavioural science methods to create situations where people choose to do the right thing through the right set of motivations. This is a unique combination which results in the best learning outcomes and longevity.

Committees and Groups
Decisions are made by like minded experts. Through IPAF’s Committees every important decision is properly considered, discussed and agreed before implementation. This means that IPAF is not as fast as some, but when IPAF does something, it’s right.

Innovation

IPAF is unfailingly at the forefront of innovation for training. We do not just continue because nothing is wrong, we strive for improvement. IPAF were the first organisation to enable assessment using an approved Virtual Reality simulator for licence renewal and advanced training. IPAF were one of the first organisations to use 360º video and graphic video within training courses to contextualise the learning.

Training for Everyone

IPAF have a holistic approach to training so we see the full picture. We have training for Managers, Supervisors, Operators, Demonstrators, Engineers, Technicians, Planners and now a new course for MEWP Spotters as requested by some of IPAF’s contractor members.

Award Winning Training

IPAF’s Operator Training course has won three Gold medals and a Silver in the Brandon Hall Learning and Development Awards. These awards were for:

• Best Unique or Innovative Learning and Development Program
• Best Advance in Learning Management Technology for Compliance Training
• Best Compliance Training
• Best Use of Blended Learning

Procedures

IPAF have a robust auditing procedure to ensure compliance with our rules are requirements for Training Centres and Instructors.

Qualified and Approved Instructors

IPAF have stringent pre-requisites to qualify for a place on an IPAF instructor training course and the training during that week is highly challenging resulting in only the best getting through. This is followed by supportive and nurturing mentoring sessions resulting in well rounded, knowledgeable Instructors that put the candidates first and ensure the training is suitable. l.e. for each different candidate’s abilities to get them up to the same minimum standard.

It would be possible to go on but if you are not yet convinced then nothing will convince you. Ultimately when the HSE investigate, they already know that IPAF Training is adequate and appropriate so employers can choose IPAF Training and have that much needed confidence in an uncertain world.