More than 720 instructors and training center staff attended Professional Development Seminars presented by the International Powered Access Federation on aerial work platform safety in recent months, covering 25 countries and eight languages, IPAF said. The PDS is the annual event for IPAF-certified instructors and ensures they remain up-to-date with legislation and training.
By attending the event, instructors gain continuing professional development points that are necessary to maintain their IPAF instructor status. The commitment to continuous learning is one of the unique features of the IPAF training program.
“The 2015 PDS was one of the best ever,” said IPAF instructor Roberto Catana from Setif in Italy. “It was precise, timely, well-planned, dynamic, capturing technical excellence, legislation and teaching. The PDS provided answers to questions, and gave clarity to uncertainties. It was done with the heart and goodwill of all those who work to keep this industry safe.”
“It was a successful PDS on all counts,” added IPAF instructor Beat Schütz from Regiomech in Switzerland. “Always exciting are the discussions among fellow instructors who don’t meet very often.”
IPAF’s operator training program is certified by TÜV as conforming to ISO 18878, and meets or exceeds ANSI standards and OSHA requirements. The program is offered by leading manufacturers and rental companies and requires that accredited partner training centers pass initial, annual and unannounced audits as part of the quality management system. Instructors are certified and undertake ongoing professional development, including free annual updates to the training materials and educational workshops.
Trainees complete theoretical and practical training, and must pass the written and practical tests before being issued a PAL (Powered Access License) card as proof of successfully completed operator training. PAL cards are machine-readable and valid for five years. IPAF has now issued more than a half million PAL cards.
