Magnox staff put to the test at Jones Bros training centre9th Apr 2013

Plant Trainers from Jones Bros Civil Engineering helped staff from a decommissioned nuclear power station get to grips with an impressive piece of heavy machinery recently.

A team of Magnox employees from the decommissioned Trawsfynydd site in Blaenau Ffestiniog visited Jones Bros’ dedicated Training Centre in Ruthin to undergo rigorous training on a Merlo telehandler.

The giant all-terrain forklift is used to transport all manner of heavy goods, and Magnox wanted their staff to gain the CPCS training qualification to enable them to operate it safely and efficiently.

As members of the National Skills Academy for Nuclear, Jones Bros proved to be the ideal hosts for the two-week long tuition, and even altered their training course to meet the demands of the qualification.

Jones Bros’ Health, Safety, Environment Quality & Training Manager Dave Gibson said: “We had to build a new 9m platform to meet the requirements of the course, sourced the exact model of Merlo telehandler used on site at Trawsfynydd and had it brought over from Sussex.
“I’m pleased that Magnox were happy with the training we provided, and I hope that it’s something we can continue into the future.”

The training included tests in manoeuvering the vehicle across challenging terrain, as well as safely lifting and landing pallets to different heights and a theory exam.

Paul Richardson, of Magnox’ Trawsfynydd site, said: “Jones Bros put together an excellent training package for us.

“We were very pleased with the quality of the training and the facilities themselves.”
The test also provided a special occasion for the Jones Bros staff, as long serving trainer Ken Jones completed his final examination for the civil engineering company.

Mr Jones, 67, was brought in to carry out the Magnox employees’ final tests after they had been put by their paces by new training officer Huw Isaac Williams, who was taking on his first training course for the company.

Dave said: “It was quite an intense couple of weeks, and a busy one for Huw to start with. “He did a great job, and Ken took his part in his stride, as he has done for years.”
“It was great to see the two pass over the torch of training here at Jones Bros.”