Stirling Group, a leader in health, safety and environmental (HSE) services, has expanded its Kurdistan training centre for oil and gas and construction workers in Erbil, Iraq.

The facility will offer a range of new courses including; Fire Team Member & Leader, Working at Height and Rescue, Confined Space Entry and Rescue, Lifting & Hoisting, Forklift, Command & Control, Incident Management, H2S and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus.

Operating in the region since 2013, Stirling Group has delivered training programmes, competence development frameworks, HSE consultancy, safety products and maintenance services to over 25 oil and gas companies operating in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The new facility was unveiled at an event, which was attended by more than 40 industry figures and government officials including Angus McKee, Counsel General for Kurdistan & Northern Iraq and Ian McIntosh, advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources.

The Stirling Group Training Centre features a four-storey training rig with internal structures which mirror the environment that oil and construction workers face in day to day operations.

Combined with the latest training equipment, including Haagen virtual fire training technology, it enables Stirling Group to offer training at a range and level not seen before in Iraq, a statement said.

“Stirling Group has demonstrated a stellar record in Kurdistan. As the region continues to focus in the development of its local workforce, oil and gas companies in partnership with the MNR are working to achieve the best possible development of local talent for the industry. Stirling Group plays an active role in this with the diversity of its workforce development offerings,” said McKee.

“We have appreciated Stirling Group’s investments in the industry and their collaboration with us, and hope the IOCs use this centre and support them further,” McIntosh added.

Stirling Group has plans to establish similar training centres in Slemani and Duhok in the future, continuing its efforts to support competence development for the Oil & Gas and construction industry in Kurdistan and across the Middle East.

Angus Neil, managing director of Stirling Group said: “This is the latest step in the development of our training base in Kurdistan to ensure we continue to offer the very best training facilities in the region.

“The hands-on, simulated approach goes well beyond traditional classroom training. It allows oil and gas workers to practice real life scenarios and experience first-hand what it's like to work on an oil & gas facility." – TradeArabia News Service