Cofely Besix Facility Management (CBFM), a leading facility management provider in the region, has launched the 'Al Mareefa' training bus - a purpose-built mobile training facility to provide on-site training to all its employees in the UAE.

It was created by a team of in-house carpenters and electricians who renovated a second-hand school bus by removing 75 per cent of the bus seats in order to build workbenches for the training, said a statement from the company.

The bus has also been modified with a mini-theatre style seating arrangement and TV monitor for class-room type training, it stated.

Simulation panels, such as electrical distribution boards for the practical part of the training were also installed.

The bus also boasts a state-of-the-art vehicle fire suppression system, and has its own independent power supplier via an on-board generator.

The training bus will regularly visit 50 sites across the UAE providing training on-site for all its employees located at the various projects managed by CBFM.

The company also plans to host special community-based training programmes at labour accommodation camps, schools, and remote farming communities within the country, it said.

"In this hectic business of supporting customers, it is always challenging to keep technicians up to date with the latest safety and technical requirements, and with the Al Mareefa bus we can take the training directly to the employees, however remote," explained Ian Harfield, the company CEO.

"It also allows us to make training and development a seamless and non-disruptive activity, which is especially appreciated by our customers," he added.

The training sessions, which are conducted only when the bus is stationary, can accommodate 14 people simultaneously.

Andre Mars, the HSQE (health, safety, quality and environment) manager, said: "The training provided on board the bus, is technical in nature with a focus on mechanical, electrical, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) and plumbing, hence we had to make sure the bus was fully-equipped with all the necessary equipment required, as well as adequate space to conduct practical training too."

"I am extremely proud of my team for developing such a unique innovation that adds real value to our customers," remarked Harfield.

"Additionally, by providing training at our labour camps we are also enabling our non-skilled employees to learn basic skills, skills which they will keep and take to their home countries which will transform their lives and the lives of their families and localities," he stated.

"We also hope to visit local schools across the UAE over the coming months, to educate children on the basics of facilities management and maintenance, which will show them how they can contribute to the upkeep of their homes and surroundings," he added.

A team of Cofely Besix FM volunteers will also visit remote farming areas in the UAE in Al Mareefa where for the first time some of the Asian sub-continent workers in farming will have access to a bespoke training centre, said the company statement.

They will be shown how to deal with basic electrical wiring, air-conditioning, plumbing as well as water hygiene, as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility initiative, it added.-TradeArabia News Service