THE expertise of a North-East engineering firm is in such high demand it is shipping a mobile training unit to Egypt where it will pass on life-saving skills to a petrochemical company.

ProtEx, based in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, is sending the fully-equipped unit, which has been created for this project, to ensure its Egyptian client Rashpetco can gain the globally-respected CompEx safety qualifications.

Currently, there are no certified facilities in Egypt to deliver the specialist training, and the costs and visa requirements associated with sending staff to the UK for the course proved to be prohibitive.

Rashpetco was determined to receive the course from the Stokesley firm and the decision was made to take the training unit to the Alexandria- based business.

ProtEx’s solution will ensure that workers operating hazardous equipment will be better equipped to avoid risks when working in potentially explosive atmospheres.

The mobile unit has been shipped to Egypt, and training is to start this month for about 20 members of Rashpetco’s maintenance staff.

Derek Green, managing director of ProtEx, which is a member of NOF Energy, the business development organisation for the UK oil, gas and energy sectors, said: “We are delighted to be delivering another contract for Rashpetco.

“When we were approached by our client with the challenge, we were determined to find a solution.

“UK expertise is very well respected internationally and the CompEx training scheme is a first-class example of a successful collaboration between a UK-based training body, ProtEx, and its international clients.”

Mr Green thanked JTL, which administers the Comp- Ex scheme, and whose support made the scheme possible.

ProtEx hopes the mobile unit will help it secure more training contracts around the world.

Director Peter Wem said: “These are very exciting times for us. North Africa and the Middle East have a vast array of oil, gas and petrochemical facilities which would benefit from the Comp- Ex training.

“The mobile training unit enables us to open doors to train staff from companies and countries where it would usually be too difficult or too expensive to provide this level of accreditation.”