IPAF targets 65000 cards

Tim Whiteman, IPAF's managing director, speaking at the organisation's AGM at Whittlebury Hall, UK, on 27 March, said IPAF had now issued a total of 284000 cards worldwide, with 230000 of these currently valid.

“It's a phenomenal achievement”, said Mr Whiteman, “We are taking the message of operator training to increasing numbers of users worldwide.”

Mr Whiteman said approximately 30% of the world's access rental fleet was now operated by IPAF members, with the figure for the UK nearer to 90%.

One important plank in IPAF's training strategy is to establish its scheme in North America through its subsidiary, AWPT (Aerial Work Platform Training Inc). Speaking at the AGM, IPAF president Andrew Reid said the organisation was conscious that progress was needed to justify the financial investment in North America. He said that Tony Groat, recently appointed AWPT membership development director for North America, had been tasked with the job of increasing the take–up of IPAF training in the region.

AWPT has meanwhile received a boost to its US programme with the news that NES Rentals, one of the largest rental companies in North America, had joined IPAF/AWPT and would be offering AWPT operator training at four locations.

IPAF's AGM and Access Summit attracted over 200 delegates, mainly comprising UK rental companies and training organisations, but also with delegates from, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, China (from aerial platform manufacturer Beijing JingCheng Heavy Industry) and Chile (IPAF training centre Alo Rental.)