Arbroath-based IED Training Solutions has become the first UK training consultancy to deliver IOSH-approved courses in Afghanistan.
IED Training, which was founded by former Royal Marine Ian Clark, was commissioned by a Scandinavian-based logistics organisation to facilitate delivery of 11 IOSH-approved Working Safely and Managing Safely courses to employees working in a number of locations throughout Afghanistan, including Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat.
Employees of the company - which supplies clients with fuel management solutions and related logistical requirements while operating in challenging environments worldwide - include personnel from a wide range of areas, including transport, logistics, and operations.
IED Training’s managing director, Ian, served in the Royal Marines for 22 years, including three operational tours of duty in Afghanistan. He was first approached by the Scandinavian company last year.
“Afghanistan holds many memories and emotions for the IED team, including those of pride, of the friendships forged and the teamwork, as well as great sadness for those colleagues who didn’t return home with us or who were injured,” he said.
“It is incredible to think that we now return to that country to facilitate nationally recognised health and safety training with the aim of ensuring people remain safe in the workplace. The company with which we are working was previously sending its people to Dubai for IOSH training, which was proving expensive, as well as taking them out of business for days at a time.
“We were able to work with them to ensure that the training could be delivered in-country, by IOSH-approved trainers and administered by IED. The benefits have been a significant reduction in the company’s financial outlay as well as ensuring that a minimal amount of time is spent away from away from job roles. It has also been able to take ownership of the training and ensure quality assurance throughout.
“IED Training works with clients across the UK in a wide range of sectors, but it is always very satisfying to support anything to do with the military, especially the ongoing effort to maintain peace and stability in that region. We are very proud to be involved in the delivery of IOSH training courses in Afghanistan.”
Dina Alkhalidi, head of customer engagement at IOSH, said: "IOSH's globally-focused Working Safely and Managing Safely courses have been designed to enhance the safety, health and wellbeing of workers anywhere, in any sector, worldwide. They provide workers with the knowledge and tools required to work safely, leading to greater productivity, an improved organisation-wide culture of safety awareness and an increased appreciation of safety measures."
The Working Safely course provides individuals at any level, in any sector with a grounding in the essentials of safety and health; the Managing Safely course is designed for managers and supervisors in any sector and any organisation worldwide.
The nationally-recognised qualifications are approved by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health – the world’s largest professional health and safety membership organisation.
IED Training Solutions managing director Ian Clark