International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has announced a ground-breaking agreement with member firm United Rentals Inc., owner of the largest powered access rental fleet in the world, to offer certified mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) operator training through its United Academy blended learning platform.
Senior training managers from United Academy worked with IPAF to closely align the company’s training content with the globally recognized IPAF MEWP operator course.
As part of the accreditation process, IPAF audited several of United Rentals’ more than 500 North American locations where hands-on trainee testing takes place. The assessments were conducted using the same process that IPAF applies when auditing test centers around the globe. United Rentals has been approved to display the IPAF certified training logo on its MEWP training descriptions and collateral.
Candidates successfully completing IPAF certified training through the United Academy will be issued a special United Rentals card, which will certify them as having passed a course that is closely aligned with IPAF’s MEWP operator training.
“IPAF and United Rentals are very pleased to announce this pioneering agreement, under which IPAF certified MEWP operator training will be delivered through the United Academy across North America,” said Tim Whiteman, CEO of IPAF. “United Rentals has a long history of taking the lead with safety and supporting IPAF in our efforts. It is extremely encouraging that the largest powered access rental company in the world has underpinned the quality of its MEWP training by partnering with IPAF in this way.
Whiteman said it’s IPAF’s goal to establish similar training partnerships with other member companies.
Ebbe Christensen, president of ReachMaster Inc and chairman of IPAF’s North American Regional Council, said agreement opens the doors for the association’s growth here.
“With the arrival of IPAF certified training in North America, this visionary agreement will mark the beginning of a new era for IPAF in North America and no doubt spearhead an expansion of IPAF activities here,” Christensen said. “It will bring significant awareness of the IPAF mission to a market that employs 40% of the world’s MEWPs, underlining the need for approved training programs, and this agreement is a great step forward.”
For more information about IPAF’s MEWP and MCWP operator and supervisor training, and a range of other industry-specific training, please visit www.ipaf.org/training, or for more details about your nearest IPAF office or representative see www.ipaf.org/contact.
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
