AB2T is Officially Open: 'A Week of Learning for a Lifetime of Earning'

Published Date: 14/07/2023

Friday 30th June 2023 saw the official grand opening of AB2T Academy, the industry’s newest rail and construction training facility based in the Heartlands of Scotland at Junction 4a off the M8. Situated just a few miles from AB2K in Cambuslang, the new academy will use the plant hire giant’s latest machinery on which to train new recruits into the industry.

The training academy, which began trading in February 2023, offers a wide range of courses including CPCS construction, crane and driver training, PTS rail training, Multiple RRV operations, MEWP training and more. AB2T Training Academy is accredited by NOCN CPCS, NSAR and the SQA.

The grand opening day

After a short speech and ribbon cutting by Managing Director John Murphy, visitors including press, members of the council, customers, clients, suppliers and prospective candidates toured the site to get up close and personal to the latest machines across 175,000 sq ft of land.

Towering at the centre of the ground was a new and stately 90 ton Liebherr road crane, the jib of which was fully extended to lift a branded cabin high into the air and balance it in the middle of the site, which made the AB2T logo clearly visible from the motorway.

Two of the company’s four ‘Mad Vax’ suction excavator lorries, the most recent of which has just been purchased as part of an overall £13M investment in new machinery, could be viewed both on and off rail, demonstrating the powerful suction and clearance of the machines.

Visitors to the opening day were impressed by the rail training area, situated at the back of the the vast site closest to the M8, as they walked alongside the length of Scotland’s longest twin rail tracks with real overheads. Various road-rail vehicles were parked along each 150 metre track, including one of the company’s brand new MEWPs and two road-rail excavators, as well as one of the aforementioned monumental Mad Vax RRVs.

In clearly segregated areas designed for digging and backfilling, a selection of heavy plant construction vehicles were stood down and strategically placed to illustrate the space a trainee has to manoeuvre. These included two of AB2K’s 27 Sany excavators, a dozer, a large dumper, two wheeled excavators, a smaller dumper, a roller and another MEWP (off track).

https://ab2k.co.uk/news/ab2t-officially-open-week-learning-lifetime-earning

World F1 sidecar championship racing driver Steve Kershaw was on hand to meet and greet. His three-time British championship winning sidecar was on display, which is sponsored by parent company Quattro Group.

Refreshments were enjoyed in the form of hot rolls, snacks and cups of AB2T.

Managing Director, John Murphy explained how ‘a week of learning’ a new skill could mean ‘a lifetime of earning.’

‘The AB2Team is ready and ‘Able 2 Train’ across a huge variety of machines which are exciting, challenging and a lot of fun. In the current climate, construction and rail industries can guarantee decades of work. How many industries can make that claim? This is a week of learning for a lifetime of earning. The doors are open to a new world of opportunity, literally and metaphorically.’

Visitors to the opening day have so far shared overwhelmingly positive impressions:

Lyle Sibbald, Liebherr Cranes

‘I was very impressed by the set up of the training academy and outside operating area which really replicates a working environment. The location of the facility is literally in the heart of Scotland, therefore access is also excellent. The Scottish crane industry is currently battling against a massive shortage of drivers, therefore, the opening of this new training academy will certainly help in the fight to bring new crane operators into the industry.’

Brian McGrane and Nathan Donnelly, Sany UK

‘We both thought it is an excellent site with great facilities. The varied rage of training that can be carried out is impressive.’

Gary Moug, Editor, Project Plant Magazine:

‘I thought the facility was hugely impressive. The site itself is ideal for training, with plenty space and a variety of conditions. The modern, high quality equipment located there will make a huge difference to the learning experience. I was also taken by the enthusiasm of the trainers, who are clearly passionate about their role in producing the next generation of operators and upskilling the existing workforce.’

AB2T is the latest training initiative from the Quattro Group, also running an established and successful facility in Lichfield as Quattro Occupational Training Academy. Quattro trainers are mobile and able to train in any of Quattro’s 14 depots around the UK. AB2T trainers will operate out of the new facility in Whitburn.

‘Whilst Quattro continues to train around England and Wales the focus for AB2T will be Scotland. We are committed to teaching the next generation of rail and construction workers. We aim to change perceptions and bring dignity to the profession. We’re looking to attract the future of Scottish industry through these gates.’ - John Murphy, Managing Director, AB2T.

Details of courses can be found at ab2t.co.uk

Contact: training@ab2t.co.uk or telephone 0845 307 3999