Dubai, March 17, 2006: ETA Consultancy, a division of ETA Ascon, has been chosen by Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), UK to deliver the Board's safety training modules to the construction industry in the Middle East. ETA Ascon is the first and the only company in the Middle East accredited to offer the CITB's "Construction Skills - Site Safety Plus" Courses.

The training courses, open to all construction companies in the region, are customised for all levels of site staff members starting from frontline supervisors to the project managers.  Duration of the course ranges from one to five days depending on the level. 

The first training session was conducted on 13th & 14th March in Dubai. Inaugurating the programme, Mr. Michael Dwyer, Head of Global Business Development for CITB was optimistic about the market potential in the Middle East: "This is our first entry into this dynamic region which has stemmed from the fact that a growing number of UK construction and contracting companies are doing business in the Middle East and believe that CITB's wealth of expertise can generate a greater safety awareness on internationally adopted best practices. We are confident that our partnering with the reputed multi-specialty business group, ETA Ascon, will help cover the industry comprehensively." 

Dwyer added that CITB is a non-profit organisation and adheres to strict guidelines while approving tutors and training providers around the world.  Quality of the trainers and the training providers are monitored by CITB at regular intervals through independent assessors. All certificates issued by the CITB are valid for five years with an option for a refresher course every three years.

In the UK alone, effective safety trainings have significantly reduced construction related hazards - since 2001, there has been a drop of 40 percent in deaths, 36 per cent in serious injuries and around 41 per cent in reported injuries. 

Mr. M. Kamarajan, General Manager at ETA Ascon for Health, Safety and Environment and also one of the approved tutors along with Mr. Wasyl Terych, outlined the company's phased plans in offering the CITB-Site Safety Plus Courses, initially in UAE and in the near future to other GCC countries.

Mr. Kamarajan added that the fast-paced construction industry in the UAE and across the Middle East has highlighted the need for enforcing safety more vigilantly. High levels of safety skills are crucial to this industry and CITB-Site Safety Plus courses are tailored to better equip construction professionals in handling potential hazards which will facilitate them to prevent injuries to individuals & damages to property. We are proud that CITB has recognised ETA Consultancy in this drive towards promoting health and safety in construction."

Other services provided by ETA Consultancy include development and implementation of management systems in line with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 22000 and HACCP; HSE Risk & Compliance Assessments & Safety audits in addition to training on various topics on Operational & HSE Excellence and Emergency & Contingency assessments.

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About ETA ASCON:
Emirates Trading Agency-Associated Constructions and Investments (ETA ASCON) Co. L.L.C. are a multinational and diversified Group established in 1973 as a joint venture under UAE's Abdulla Al Ghurair Group. ETA-ASCON has built an enviable reputation for quality, service and cost-effective technological capability. Headquartered in Dubai, the Group network undertakes construction, contracting and infrastructure project work in several countries, having several branches and associate offices worldwide. Areas of expertise include Engineering, Contracting, Construction, Manufacturing, Trading, Shipping, Transportation, Jewellery, Travel, Consumer Electronics, Recycling, Automobiles, Building Maintenance, Information Technology, Human Resources Management and Real Estate. With 45,000 employees worldwide, the Group's consolidated sales for the year ending 2006 were in excess of USD 4 billion. For more information, please visit www.eta-ascon.com.

For further information, please contact:
Sudha Hemmad / Jonathan Tudor
ASDA'A Public Relations,
Tel: +971-4-3344550,
Fax: +971-4-3344556,
E-mail: s.hemmad@asdaa.com, j.tudor@asdaa.com  

© Press Release 2007