IPAF promotes access to students

IPAF (the International Powered Access Federation) is inviting young people to learn about the access industry through its Job Access programme.

Selected students will attend a 50-minute lecture introducing the powered access industry a small display on the history of the powered access industry will be on show.

At the end of the lecture, the attendees take a short test. A laptop will be awarded each day as a prize to the most successful participant. Attendees will also have the opportunity to test the equipment with an instructor and to watch the demonstration.

Visitors to the IPAF area will see platforms in action, including demonstrations which illustrate the dangers of not wearing a full body harness when operating a boom-type mobile elevating work platform, using a real-weight dummy on a specially modified Skyjack boom.

IPAF is also developing an engineering apprenticeship designed to lead to a "technician" level qualification. A sub-group led by Roger Bowden, chairman of Niftylift and chairman of IPAF's Manufacturers' Technical Committee, is reviewing the draft syllabus-this with the aim of raising awareness among young people of the powered access industry as a potential career path.