ECITB launches industrial drone course

News

The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has launched a new training course for operating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, in industrial environments.

Use of drones is growing rapidly across industry, due to benefits that include improved safety and efficiency for workers as well as cost savings and a reduction in asset downtime for inspections.

Following the success of a pilot programme in 2022, the ECITB has now launched its Foundation UAS training course, created in collaboration with the UK Drone Association, ARPAS-UK. It is now open for training providers across the country to deliver.

Worker exposure to work-at-height risks and other hazardous environments, such as the inside of storage tanks, can be significantly reduced using drones, with many applications in the oil and gas, nuclear and renewables sectors.

They can also benefit the rail industry and general construction sites to map, track and survey major projects.

Global services firm PwC estimates there could be £3.5bn predicted cost savings from drone uptake in construction and manufacturing alone (£22bn across all industries), as well as potential to reduce carbon emissions. However, it highlights skills as an area that must be addressed to ‘unlock drone potential’.

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