Pickerings Lifts was asked by the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA) to help them trial a new version of their distance learning course, and offer feedback during and afterwards. This engineering course will shape the way that lift training is carried out in the future.

Pickerings Lifts is a founding member of LEIA and is an integral part of the Association, getting involved in committees, seminars and initiatives, as well as utilising the education and training courses LEIA supplies, to both engineers and office-based staff.

In the past, LEIA supplied a technical training course called ‘Introduction to Lift Technology’, however following an internal review it was agreed to split the course into two parts to allow the first half – ‘Basic Introduction to Lift Technology’ – to be taken by those who do not need such an in depth introduction.

Four members of staff at Pickerings Lifts took part in a pilot scheme to trial the new course content and delivery and feedback on the new ‘Basic Introduction to Lift Technology’ course, which was assessed by online multiple choice exam, with a final ‘closed book’ exam held offsite.

Alex Forsdyke, Office Manager, was one of the members of staff that took part in the pilot. He said: “The course was very challenging, but very interesting, and I learned a lot of useful information that I can use day-to-day in my role.”

Dan Charlesworth, Training and Safety Manager at LEIA said: “We’d like to thank Pickerings Lifts for taking part in the course, and for the feedback they provided, both during and afterwards”.

Feedback is essential when developing new courses and the feedback provided will help shape this course, maximising its potential and ensuring that it helps as many people as possible going forward.”