A brand-new purpose-built wind turbine training facility has been launched in Tonypandy in the Rhondda Valley by MRS Training & Rescue, to help significantly bolster the region’s skills across the wind energy sector.

The £150,000 investment sees the company expand its presence in Wales, which has been a prominent employer in the region for over 120 years. Originally borne out of the coal industry to provide a rescue service for miners, MRS Training & Rescue has been involved in its own period of transition and is delighted to provide training for Wales’s workforce in the renewable energy industry. With the capacity to train thousands of delegates per year, this training centre is poised to become an integral cog in the local renewable industry machinery.

The new state-of-the-art facility has been specifically designed to support the safety and welfare of renewable businesses in the region and throughout Wales, offering bespoke wind turbine training – to assist the Welsh government’s target of 70% of annual consumption met by renewables by 2030.

The new provision offers a dedicated wind training centre, that includes a 24-foot-high training tower, climbing and rescue platforms, as well as mechanical and electrical training facilities. Designed to provide trainees with the essential skills required in the thriving wind turbine industry.

The investment follows a record year for the business which has recorded 8.5% year on year growth in the first 6 months of the new financial year. This expansion builds upon the company’s already well-established provision of health and safety training for industry that includes confined space, work at height, first aid and fire training. Gerwyn James, Operations Manager, MRS Training & Rescue in Wales said: “This is a significant investment for our business, and we are proud to be providing the essential bespoke training and skills required to all Wind Turbine Technicians within this industry. This new facility will support our existing services to help deliver the very best training solution for the renewable wind industry in Wales.”

About the New Facility

Purpose-built indoor wind turbine training facility to compliment company’s existing facilities. Expansive 8m tall scaffold access system (supported by local Cardiff business MAC Scaffolding) designed to simulate variety of industry scenarios for Working at Height rescue and training drills with key features including:

  • Ladders to perform ascending/descending drills (for ladder rescue) with use of twin hooks, latch way and rail lock systems.
  • Trap doors, gates, hatches and guard rails
  • A sloping roof and flat roof – both with open edges
  • A freestanding tower enabling training in suspension, a suspended rescue and a casualty stretcher rescue.
  • A fully designed to spec nacelle to simulate all access and egress rescue scenarios
  • Fully accessible facility that offers the wide space to create tension line stretcher rescues

About MRS Training & Rescue

MRS Training & Rescue can trace its roots back in Wales to 1912, when it was established as a Mines Rescue Station in Dinas, Tonypandy. With a gradual decline of the coal mines over many years, culminating in the closure of the last deep coal mine at Tower Collery in January 2008, the company has expanded and diversified to meet the needs of today’s health and safety market. Using their many years of expertise in underground mining they now provide unique rescue services, specialist equipment, consultancy and a comprehensive range of accredited health and safety related products, training and services to a wide range of industries, including nuclear, aerospace, manufacturing and utilities throughout the UK and overseas.