A new CISRS approved scaffolding training facility in Saudi Arabia has been launched by TAFE Arabia (Technical and Further Education) in partnership with Simian Skill.

At the new training facility, located in Dammam, operatives will be able to undertake CISRS Overseas Scaffolders Training Scheme (OSTS) Level 1 and 2, Basic Inspection, Scaffolding Supervisor and OSTS CPD courses.

Abdulghani Alrumaih, CEO of TAFE Arabia, said: “TAFE has been providing high quality training in this region for over a decade. When we considered offering scaffold training we were only interested in delivering CISRS OSTS approved programmes.

“We are very proud to be the first CISRS OSTS in Saudi Arabia and sure our partnership with Simian Skill will be a great success, improving the skills of the scaffolding sector and helping to establish a robust and recognised qualification across industry.”

Dave Mosley, CISRS Scheme Manager, and Ian Fyall, Operations Director at Simian Skill, travelled to Saudi Arabia for the accreditation audit at the new training centre.

Whilst in the Region CISRS, TAFE and Simian took part in Scaffold Safety Awareness Workshop arranged by multinational oil and gas company Saudi Aramco, attended by more than 100 delegates from across the province.

Dave Mosley said: “I was very pleased to take part in the Scaffold Safety Awareness Workshop and would like to thank Saudi Aramco for the invitation. While CISRS UK has historically been recognised in Saudi Arabia, the development of OSTS will allow the scheme to be delivered to the sector locally, reaching a much larger proportion of the industry.”

Ian Fyall added: “Simian has had a lot of interest for training in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have previously met with a number of providers. TAFE stood out from the crowd as they shared our ambition.

“We’ve worked together during the past 12 months to get this centre up and running to KSA standards. From our meetings with Saudi Aramco we are feeling positive for full training courses.”