Pictured above: (l-r) Charles Gunter (Macbrac), John Freeman (Freemans of Telford) and Peter Jenkins (Traction Equipment)

A local firm specialising in business safety has become one of only a few organisations in the Midlands to be awarded official accreditation by City and Guilds.

Telford-based Macbrac, a leading provider of safety services for small and medium enterprises, has just been certified to deliver a City and Guilds course for people maintaining the UK's highways. 

The course complies with legislation that requires anyone excavating or reinstating the highway, whether digging a cavity on a major road or a small hole in a residential street, to have a suitably qualified operative among them and a suitably qualified supervisor supporting them.  City and Guilds is one of only three awarding bodies for this qualification in the UK with Macbrac being the only registered centre in the Telford area.

Macbrac is now able to offer a fully accredited course for local operatives and supervisors within the construction industry, or indeed anyone working on public roads, which is recognised under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and recorded in the Street Works Qualifications Register.

Run in collaboration with Freemans of Telford, and Traction Equipment (Stafford) Ltd, the course is held over five days in the Halesfield area of the town and teaches individuals through practical hands-on experience utilising a purpose-built simulated road, as well as through the delivery of theoretical knowledge.

Charles Gunter, safety advisor and proprietor of Macbrac who has over 40 years' experience in the health and safety industry, commented: "We are delighted to have been awarded this endorsement by City and Guilds which is not only a fantastic accolade for us, but great news for the county.

"With a new resource now available in the region, we are able to provide a much needed opportunity for our clients to gain valuable skills and knowledge in this area."