Drone operator course developed by Texo

The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has partnered with the Aberdeen-based company, Texo Compliance, to create the Industrial Drone Operations Training Course which will be the UK’s first new training standard for drone operators within the construction sector.

The course was developed by Texo and approved by the ECITB, following on from the introduction of the ECITB Industrial Drone Operations Training and Assessment Programme last year, with the first course scheduled for between the 30^th September 2019 and the 4^th October 2019.

The course is designed to ensure that the next generation of drone pilots gain and develop the necessary skills and knowledge to operate their advanced and complex equipment safely in heavily industrial environments amongst specific operational hazards.

Furthermore, the course occurs over the course of four stages, the first being some off-the-job training at an ECITB-approved centre while the second stage involves undertaking drone operations on a live industrial site with a minimum of 30 flying-hours logged within three to 12 months of initial training.

Following on from this, the third stage of the course entails more formal technical testing at an ECITB-approved centre using the ECITB technical testing platform, whereas the fourth and final stage involves the renewal of the ECITB technical test certificate at 36 months through a formal re-assessment.

The ECITB Chief Executive, Chris Claydon stated: “This new course is a great example of how we have collaborated with industry to create a product where there is a clear and growing market need. We have listened to employers and, at their request, developed training that meets what is an increasingly important skills requirement for them and their clients.

“Drones are increasingly common across engineering construction sites from monitoring and surveying to checking wear and tear on installations.”

This new course shall consolidate standards among drone operation within both the construction sector and a myriad of others, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, nuclear, rail, renewables, utilities, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and food.

The Texo Compliance Operations Director, Jamie Murphy stated: “We believe that we are at the forefront of innovation and technology-driven training in what is a complex and technically demanding industry often operating in difficult and austere environments.”

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