Riwal provides IPAF training for the first time in Russian

The globally recognised PAL Card Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) operator training has launched in a new language and new territory – with International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) member firm Riwal now delivering the operator course in Russian to candidates in Atyrau, Kazakhstan.

The new training centre began delivering PAL Card operator courses in September and is part of an ongoing expansion in line with demand that has seen Riwal open new IPAF training facilities in Poland, Denmark and Kazakhstan in the past few months, with further expansions planned in Sweden as well.

Riwal’s expansion of training into Kazakhstan is due part to increased demand for trained operators of powered access equipment to work on the expansion of the nearby Tengiz Oil Field.

Riwal’s CEO, Norty Turner, comments: “At Riwal our business is founded upon safety. It is an absolute critical element in everything we do. We are delighted to be the first in the industry to deliver IPAF training in the Russian language, enabling our customers in Kazakhstan to work safely at height.”

Jason Woods, IPAF’s manager for the region, comments: “IPAF has been working with Riwal to co-ordinate with the demand for PAL Cards in Kazakhstan for some months now, and that has included translating all of the relevant course materials and supporting safety and technical guidance documents into Russian, as well as approving and auditing the new training centre to allow the course to be delivered.

“I’m very pleased that after a great deal of hard work on all sides we can now say the first candidates are now going through the training process, with the classroom-based theory and practical instruction and evaluation taking place from mid-September.

Tim Whiteman, CEO & MD of IPAF, adds: “We are very excited by the fact that IPAF’s industry-leading training is now being delivered in Russian, and of course that will help to unlock huge training demand across Kazakhstan, Russia, the Baltic states and large parts of Eurasia.

“IPAF’s training programme is expanding quickly in line with heightened demand for PAL Cards in the Nordic, Baltic, East Europe, Russia and Turkey, and we are developing or have already launched our courses in Danish, Romanian and Russian in recent months.

“It is testament to the rising worldwide demand for IPAF’s operator training that new training centres are opening in countries and territories continually, which in turn helps increase awareness and drive demand for the PAL Card on jobsites.

“As the training course and supplementary materials is now available in the Russian language, we urge any IPAF member considering delivering IPAF PAL Card training in Russian to get in touch with their nearest IPAF office or representative, details can be found at www.ipaf.org/contact.”