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Pandrol opens new training academy in Raismes, France

Pandrol – the global standard for rail fastening systems and aluminothermic welding manufacturing – has officially opened a new Centre of Excellence in Raismes, France. SNCF accredited, and EN 14730-2 compliant, the new centre is designed to enhance and enrich Pandrol’s local training facilities.

Offering world-class expertise, the training centre will support specialists in a comprehensive training package including: aluminothermic welding, arc welding repair, and JIC safety training. This represents the next step in Pandrol’s global 2023 strategy for strategic risk mitigation; offering country-specific training centres to enable 48-hour interventions across the globe.

Nicolas Chevalier, Head of the Pandrol Training Academy, said: “We are delighted to open the new Pandrol Training Academy in Raismes, France. The new provision will enable us to reorganise our staff and increase partnerships with Universities as part of the Rail Civil Engineering Licence courses.

“This new training system in France represents a huge new step in our 2023 strategy, allowing fast and effective rail support across the globe.

“In the future, we hope to use this Academy to train our global welding partners through quarterly internships, with it becoming a central global location for Pandrol’s aluminothermic welding training and technical support.”

The Pandrol Academy undertaking was developed in 2020 and involved the expansion of Pandrol’s existing training facilities to develop dedicated outside training areas and classrooms, reception areas, and upgraded offices with improved IT and digital tools.

Pandrol is working closely with the railway operators to ensure that the Academy is delivering fully accredited training for each country, and the centre has recently been validated and recognised by the Deutsche Bahn and Swiss Federal Railways (CFF).

Throughout the pandemic in 2020, it has been difficult to maintain in-person training for the global welding community. In response, Pandrol has substituted face to face training with online training, supporting customer training in Norway, Mongolia, Turkey and Israel with training videos. The firm also plans to deliver and organise an international media event on its new model based around welding, equipment and R&D.