Astley Hire's New IPAF Instructor

Dave Hughes joins Michael Dorricott as a fully qualified IPAF Instructor. Now Astley Hire has even more flexibility to get customers sorted out with PAL cards.

Here's a few questions we've put to Dave.

Q. What's your experience with Powered Access equipment?

A. I've been in the Hire Industry for 30 years, and with Astley Hire for 5 years as the Powered Access Division Manager. During this time I've seen Hundred's of sites and applications for access equipment. Being trained as an Operator and Machine Demonstrator during this time, I've come across virtually every kind of situation possible. So then with my knowledge of the Machines capabilities I can get customers sorted out with the best machine for their job. I know what's going to work out for the customer because I've seen it and sorted it before.

Q. What makes this experience valuable to the customer?

A. It depends on the customer.
Some know exactly what they need because it's a regular job for them. But if we've got a new model of machine in, I'll run through the job spec with them to see if another machine might work out better for them. Then there's some who haven't really got clue what they need. If that's the case, then I can come out and do free on site survey. I'll measure out the job, check and assess ground conditions, and take a number of other factors into consideration, find out the work they'll be doing, and then make my recommendations.
The bottom line is we want to make sure the customer gets his job done with the least fuss possible and on schedule. If I don't take so much care looking after customers in this way, they could end up with the wrong machine. With the wrong machine for the job, it will end up costing them and us.

Q. Why have you gone on to be an IPAF Instructor?

A. Lots of reasons really. The main one is that Astley Hire is an independent Hire company that offers a full range of service's to its customers. We've been providing training on access equipment for years and we like to make sure customers can do their work with minimal hassle, but more importantly, Safely! A problem was arising when the current Instructor was booked up or during staff holidays. So now with two of us qualified as instructors we can always deliver the kind of service we want to deliver.
Sometimes we get desperate calls asking for "Next Day" training so contractors can tick the right safety boxes to get on site. With two of us available we've got a better chance of saying "Yes".

On top of that, personally it's another qualification for me and chance for me to develop my career.

Q. What makes you a good Instructor?

A. All IPAF instructors are trained to the same high standard and the course contents are standard. I think what can make a difference is how I get on with trainees whatever their background or experience. Because I've spent the last 5 years working with operators, I can get the information over in way that relates to them. I want them come away from the course with proper knowledge that has sunk in, as well as the PAL card.

Q. What's Next for ACCESS at Astley Hire?

A. We need to communicate better, let potential customers know kind of service they can get from an independent hire company. I hope customers will let us know if we can do anything better, we'll make it easier to give us some feedback.
In the short term I'm going to put my new skills to good use and train some more of our own staff so there'll be even more of us available to help and advise.

To get in touch with Dave, email dhughes@astleyhire.co.uk or call 01942 608822 extn. 605

For details about IPAF Access and PASMA Tower training visit: www.astleyhiretraining.co.uk.

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