Stork Technical Services Launches In-House Training Center

Stork Technical Services (Stork) announced the opening of its in-house FM (fabric maintenance) training center at its facility in Aberdeen, UK.

Stork invested around £100,000 in the facility to develop the skills of its blasting/spraying operatives working across the UKCS and will. A range of training, including new start trade tests, product familiarisation, passive fire protection and thermally sprayed aluminium, will ensure the company’s blaster/sprayers meet the required standards and competencies prior to mobilisation. The company expects to train and skill screen over 400 personnel in the next 12 months.

Fraser Coull, operations support director for Stork Technical Services, said: “Abrasive blasting/spraying is one of our core services offerings and investing in the FM training centre was critical to the future growth of our business. We are experiencing continual growth for our integrated FM services and our new facility will enable us to meet the manpower demand to deliver on this.

“Ensuring our operatives have the required competencies and knowledge is crucial. We are committed to providing a safe, quality service and our robust training methods will ensure we can mobilise the right people for the job, every time.”

The training centre investment is the latest step that Stork has taken to improve the safety and competency of blasting/spraying across the oil and gas industry. Stork, working with OPITO and two other leading fabric maintenance contractors, developed an OPITO blaster/sprayer certification, which was launched in November 2011. Stork was the main driver behind the successful pilot project and one of its operatives, Wayne Dent, was the first in the world to complete the two-day assessment.

Stork has also worked with a number of suppliers to improve the safety and efficiency of blasting/spraying equipment. The company developed the Stork-Vac Blasting Recovery System, in conjunction with Hodge Clemco, to recover harmful material caused by abrasive blasting. Stork and Hodge Clemco collaborated again to develop a Wet, Dry Offshore (WDOS) abrasive blasting, which integrates both functions into a single unit. This allows the operator to work more effectively and chose the appropriate method for the job without disruption.

Coull continued: “We are committed to the safe, efficient and cost-effective delivery of our services and the work carried out in relation to blasting/spraying demonstrates this. We have worked with the industry, our competitors and suppliers to improve standards and technology, and I am confident the opening of our FM training centre will deliver