Qualifying as an industrial rope access technician can open many doors when it comes to choosing a well-paid and interesting career for yourself.
It’s also a career that will keep you fit, give you the odd adrenalin rush (every time you work) and give you plenty of opportunities to appreciate the great outdoors. Rope access technician jobs include working with ourselves here at Building Transformation to help maintain the heritage of some of our most beautiful British buildings. That includes restoration work, surveying and cleaning glass skyscrapers. But it could also involve painting and repairing bridges or protecting high-rise buildings from birds nesting on the roof.
There are also a number of rope access technician jobs off-shore, on oil rigs or even ships where you may be welding or plating. A number of qualified rope technicians also work in the construction industry or electrical maintenance field.
Rope access qualifications: IRATA
Before embarking on a rope access technician course make sure you have a head for heights. Or, if you don’t, then develop one – because you will spend most of your time well above ground level. In order to take a course for a rope access technician job you also have to be at least 18 years of age and physically fit. You will also have to self-certify that you don’t have a physical or mental disability which could prove a safety risk when suspended in the air.
The International Rope Access Training Association (IRATA) is the recognised certification scheme in the trade. This offers three different levels of rope access qualifications – IRATA 1 Refresher, IRATA 2 and 3 Training. Those who want to take their career further can then qualify as an IRATA Rope Access Manager Rope Access Safety Supervisor. All certified IRATA members are given an ID card which they should present to a new employer on day one of their contract.
Anyone undertaking the rope access technician training is recommended to stay at a particular level for at least a year, giving them time to rack up a minimum of 1000 rope hours.
Level 1 of the rope access qualifications takes five days and involves learning a number of different manoeuvres, equipment inspection, rescuing procedures and health and safety initiatives. Level 2 training – also for five days – looks more in-depth at rescuing, as well as setting up your own rigging. You’ll be quizzed on legislation, safety and quality assurance. By the end of Level 3 training you’ll be a fully-qualified rope access instructor and able to train level 1 rope access technicians. You’ll also be familiar with first aid techniques.
Get in touch
Here at Building Transformation we have a number of rope access technician jobs and are always looking for trained personnel to help us with various restoration projects throughout the UK. If you have Rope access qualifications then do get in touch with our team today. We have offices in Bedford, Manchester and Glasgow. In the first instance, tel: 01234 589807. You can always send us an email via info@buildingtransformation.co.uk
