BELFOR UK, a specialist disaster recovery firm, is upskilling a new generation of technicians thanks to the launch of its new training facility in Luton.
The BELFOR training facility is an industry leading training platform, offering a portfolio of live experience that sets trainees up for an exciting career in the restoration industry.
With a severe shortage of talent available in the restoration industry currently, the BELFOR training centre aims to address the skills gap. Now on its third intake, the centre has already trained up eight technicians who have all gone on to secure a full-time position with BELFOR and are now out working in the field on live disaster recovery incidents, accompanied by their lead tech and manager, who provide ongoing field-based coaching and mentoring.
With the goal of raising standards within the restoration industry, the training facility is led by Pete Brown, who started at BELFOR as a technician himself 21 years ago and has since progressed to Technical Services Manager.
Pete has created and delivered a bespoke training course, which covers all the fundamental skills that a trainee technician would need before going to a live scenario. This includes responding to natural disasters, such as floods, handling fire contaminated buildings, and restoring asbestos affected properties.
The facility has interactive areas, such as a leak detection site and restoration bay, where trainees can learn the craft behind a wide range of disaster recovery techniques.
Pete Brown said: “The trainees are coming to us with no experience, but the drive and determination to carve out a career in a rewarding industry. With over 35 years’ experience in restoration and disaster prevention, the business can share its unrivalled knowledge and experience with the trainees, equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in the role. When they leave us, they have a clear progression path, with ongoing mentoring and training available as a full time BELFOR employee.
“We are also finding that BELFOR employees, new and old, are keen to progress through the training facility to upskill and knowledge share, which is brilliant. It ensures that our colleagues stay at the top of their game and continue to be the very best in the industry.”
BELFOR’s Technical Manager, Jay Scott, who designed the facility in collaboration with Pete, added: “There is nothing else like this in the industry. We have essentially built two houses, which feature the full range of disaster scenarios to give our trainees first-hand exposure of what they will be facing out in the field, in real life disasters. We can then demonstrate the impact and teach them how to restore each individual issue. I don’t know of any other facility like it. It is truly ground-breaking.”
www.belfor.com
