Upgrading your Emergency First Aid Training

When delegates attend our Emergency First Aid Course (EFA), they may decide to upgrade their qualification and complete the full QCF 3 Day First Aid at Work Course. Previously, this was not a possibility as the courses covered many different aspects of first aid. However, Kentec Training can now accommodate this as the new QCF award comprises of two units, the first of which is the Emergency First Aid Course.

Should any delegate wish to receive the additional qualification, all that needs to be done is to come back to our training centre in Kent and complete the final two days of the First Aid at Work Course within 10 weeks of completing the EFA Course.

We can offer this option for just an additional £100 + vat per person for all those who have previously attended an Emergency First Aid course.

Firm fined after 200 people are potentially exposed to Asbestos – Why Training is important

A glass firm has been fined £20,000 and £12,638 in costs after potentially exposing 200 people to asbestos fibres. The company had ignored recommendations from their own health & safety advisors to cordon off the area, allowing up to 180 workers and 16 site visitors to come into contact with the dangerous fibres. 

The HSE was notified after two subcontractors unknowingly drilled through an asbestos insulation panel to install fire sensors.

This most recent incident has brought the issue of Asbestos Awareness to the forefront of site safety issues. Appropriate training and knowledge can greatly decrease the likelihood of these risks arising, not only saving the employers from expensive and damaging fines, but more importantly, the lives of those working on site.

If you have a need for UKATA Asbestos Awareness Training, please contact us on 0333 666 0555 to organise your training with one of our training consultants.

PASMA Tower Demonstration Day

Kentec Training will be running two PASMA Demonstration Seminars on Friday the 15th November in support of PASMA’s National Tower Safety Week. The first seminar will run from 10:00 until 12:00 and the second from 14:00 to 16:00. Each seminar will include a detailed practical demonstration of Mobile Access Tower assembly using both of the approved assembly methods (3T and AGR) along with additional demonstrations of Mobile Access Towers on Stairs, Mobile Towers with Bridging Units and Mobile Towers with Cantilever Platforms. Each session will be run and hosted by Steve Booker who is a PASMA Lead Instructor and Vice-Chairman of the PASMA Training Committee.

The day will provide a unique opportunity to see Mobile Access Towers assembled correctly and discuss any issues you may have regarding Tower Safety. We have limited each session to a maximum of 25 so places are limited. To book a place or places please follow this link:

PASMA Tower Safety Seminar (10:00 to 12:00)

PASMA Tower Safety Seminar (14:00 to 16:00) 

Parking: There is limited parking available at our training centre or alternatively a public car near by, please call for details

Refreshments: Freshly brewed Coffee and Tea will be available along with chilled water, squash and biscuits

FREE PASMA Training during National Tower Safety Week

Kentec Training is offering in partnership with PASMA during the National Tower Safety Week from the 11th to the 15th November a series of both FREE and discounted PASMA Tower Training Courses. All places for the discounted courses can be booked either online through our website, by phone, email or in person.

How to win Places on our FREE PASMA Tower For Users Course

However, to possibly win a place on our FREE PASMA Tower Course you must attend this year’s Construction Expo at the Mercure Great Dane Hotel in Maidstone, Kent on the 6th November and enter our free to enter competition by dropping you Business Card in the Prize Box. At the end of the Exhibition 24 cards will be drawn and each person will be contacted that evening to confirm that they have won a place.

Attending the exhibition will also enable you to meet our team of PASMA Instructors including an opportunity to meet and discuss tower safety with Steve Booker, founder and senior instructor of Kentec Training, who is the South East’s PASMA Lead Instructor and Vice Chairman of the PASMA Training Committee and Stuart Hopkins, PASMA’s Training Director. Steve and Stuart will answer your questions on mobile access tower safety including information on low level access and advanced uses of mobile access towers in the workplace.

Kentec hosts PASMA Training Committee Meeting

Kentec were pleased to host PASMA’s Training Committee meeting at our training centre in Tonbridge, Kent this week. The training committee meet three times a year to review and develop PASMA’s training courses. Steve Booker, Kentec’s founder and Vice Chairman of the PASMA Training Committee said; “It was a great opportunity for Kentec to host the committee meeting. With so many instructors located across the South East, it is always nice to have the meeting a little closer to home”

The meeting was brought to a close with Stuart Hopkins, Training Director for PASMA, presenting a luxurious hamper to retiring John Fidoe, one of PASMA’s most long standing instructors and valued member of the training committee. John has been a PASMA instructor for more years than he cares to remember, driving the importance of tower safety forward in the mobile access industry.

Kentec Training to host HSE and PASMA for a tower safety seminar

Kentec Training is honoured to have been selected by the HSE and PASMA to be part of a seminar and demonstration training day for local HSE Inspectors on November 7th at our Training Centre in Tonbridge, Kent. PASMA has orchestrated this educational seminar in order to allow HSE inspectors to have a greater understanding of mobile access tower safety and the importance of building mobile access towers in the correct and safe manner.

As part of the day our Managing Director, Steve Booker, who is PASMA’s Lead Instructor for the South East and Vice Chairman of the PASMA Training Committee will be demonstrating how to build mobile access towers using the two approved assembly methods (3T & AGR) along with some of the other more advanced applications for all the inspectors.

Kentec Training joins the Kent Construction Focus Group

Kentec Training has recently joined the Kent Construction Focus Group (KCFG). The group consists of local businesses located in Kent which are involved in the construction industry. The KCFG aims to be the ‘one stop shop’ for local knowledge, expertise and reliable contacts within the construction sector. Additionally, the group promotes local businesses and encourages growth within Kent and the surrounding area.

The KCFG also provide the opportunity for fantastic networking opportunities, with breakfasts, lunches and after hours clubs and special events to attend on a monthly basis. Kentec are looking forward to meeting new and old friends at these events and promoting local businesses from Kent in the construction industry. For existing members of the KCFG please remember that Kentec will always offer preferential rates to you.

Kentec’s Darren Painter is now a RTITB Instructor

Our instructor, Darren Painter has successfully passed his RTITB Instructor course and is now able to facilitate the Counterbalance Fork Lift Truck Training Courses as part of our open course programme alongside our existing instructors.

RTITB Accredited Forklift Truck Operator Training courses are recognised by the HSE and provide learners with the skills and knowledge to correctly, safely and legally operate a range of Fork Trucks in the workplace. Here at Kentec Training we can cater for all workforces, private individuals and corporate clients including novices, experienced, and uncertified operators, as well as providing conversion certifications.

Our next available course is on Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th October. To book a place on the course, click on this link to the calendar, or call 0333 666 0555 to speak to one of our training consultants.

Customer Spotlight: Seasonal Transformations

Kentec Training has just completed several days of IPAF Training for Seasonal Transformations Ltd who are now set to install Christmas decorations in most of the major shopping centres and hotels throughout the UK.

Roger Saunders, owner and managing director of Seasonal Transformations Ltd commented that “From initial contact to the conclusion, Kentec have been very professional and efficient”. This large operator training course took place over several weekends and required the services of all of our Senior IPAF+ instructors.

Steve Booker, our managing director and one of Kentec’s three senior IPAF+ instructors said, “We are very pleased to have been selected to instruct Seasonal Transformation’s operators on a large range of Van Mounted Booms, Scissorlifts, Push Along Vertical Personal Lifts and Self Propelled Booms as well as Safety Harnesses. We are confident that they will all be able to competently and safely install decorations throughout the UK and bring pleasure to thousands.”

Seasonal Transformations’ services include installation, maintenance and testing of all the elements required to create a great seasonal scheme.  Their fully trained crews will carry out anchor point testing and certified testing of the electrical supply to ensure that everything is compliant with current legislation. They excel in design, build and installation.  Their experienced IPAF trained crews work skilfully, efficiently and safely, with a focus on detail and time scales. Kentec Training are pleased to have been selected as the training provider for their operatives.

Visit their website at www.seasonaltransformations.com to browse through their portfolio of great Christmas light displays.

Ask the Experts during PASMA Tower Safety Week at Kentec Training

The PASMA Tower Safety Week will take place this year from November 11th to November 15th. In order to ensure that the event has maximum local coverage, we need your support and attendance. During Tower Week, Kentec Training in partnership with PASMA will be running a series of live events including:

• FREE Mobile Tower Displays and Demonstrations: We will be holding demonstrations featuring different towers showcasing their safety, productivity and versatility.
• FREE Tower Surgeries: We will be offer an opportunity for you to talk about access issues in general and tower topics in particular.
• FREE Training Courses: We are offering 24 individual free places on our PASMA Tower for Users training courses during Tower Week (Visit to Construction Expo required to enter free price draw)
• FREE Training Tasters: We are offering the opportunity to visit our PASMA Training Centre and see an actual PASMA training course in progress.
• FREE On Site Health Checks: We are offering informal health check using a Tower Week checklist based on industry standard guidance.
• FREE Ask the Experts: During the period of Tower Week we are encouraging local businesses to email in with their questions and queries about working at height on mobile towers.

Kentec will be attending this year’s Construction Expo at the Mercure Great Dane Hotel in Maidstone, Kent on the 6th Novemberwhere you can enter our draw to receive FREE training during tower week as well meeting our team of PASMA Instructors including an opportunity to meet and discuss tower safety with Steve Booker, founder and senior instructor of Kentec Training, who is the South East’s PASMA Lead Instructor and Vice Chairman of the PASMA Training Committee. Steve will answer your questions on tower safety including information on low level access and advanced uses of mobile access towers in the workplace.