Hynes Quinn Open Construction Plant Operator Training
14th January 2002

In January 2002, Hynes-Quinn added a new dimension to its already highly successful portfolio of services. A new Construction Plant Operator Training Centre was opened just outside Longford town. This operation has been developed and implemented to a point where certification is complete to the approved standards of FAS, ITSSAR and The Health and Safety Authority.

This in effect has led to the Driving School being approved as the only Training and Assessment Centre in the Midlands and West of Ireland to operate, train and certify Construction Plant Operator Training in facilitating and meeting the increasing demands for certified training and skilled operators in the construction industry.

Noel’s initial training in Construction Plant Operator was completed under NiFast, Dublin, ITSSAR, England and M.J.M. Training Services, N.I. As a follow-up in April 2002 Hynes-Quinn Driving School was accredited by ITASSAR (Independent Training Standards Scheme & Register), England as an approved Category 2 Operator Training Organisation accredited to provide training for operators of machines i.e. forklift trucks as well as a wide range of construction plant machinery.

Hynes-Quinn Driving School as a Training Organisation is now included in the Register of ITSSAR -The Accredited Training Organisation for operator training. In April 2002, following a lengthy process, Noel and Hynes-Quinn Driving School proceeded to the next stage of assessment and were successful in being approved by FAS as an approved Trainer/Training Centre under the regulations of Certification and Standards, FAS. This approval permits the School access to provide and facilitate trainees under FAS Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) Certification in FAS Modular Assessment Programmes such as Telescopic Handler Operator/Site Dumper Operation (Front Loader)/Forklift Truck Driving/Rear Dumper etc. and training inexperienced trainees.

In association with FAS Training Centre, Ballyfermot, Noel was certified by FETAC in workplace assessment and assessment/internal verification programme (Construction Sector) in May 2002. This training allowed Noel an insight into the training assessment process of planning, coordinating and controlling while carrying out workplace assessment and judging the competence of trainees on site.

In conjunction with his FAS approval, Noel undertook an intensive Certificate in Training and Continuing Education Programme in September 2002, coordinated by the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and successfully obtained 2nd class honours in the areas of assessing training and trainees development needs, designing a training programme and developing and supporting training and trainees.

As an established Driving School, Hynes-Quinn Driving School are already at the forefront in successfully meeting the needs of the public through the provision of tuition in car/bus/mini-bus/rigid/artic and catering for the disabled driver. The driving school has outlets in Longford, Cavan, Roscommon, Leitrim and Carrick-on- Shannon. This addition to Ireland’s Most Successful Driving School has proven over the last 2 years to be a vital resource to the Construction Worker and Construction Industry, which demands high standards in quality, performance, health, safety and welfare.