I went through many websites and Access Techniques was by far the best!! Really enjoyed myself, trainers were epic, informative, thorough and friendly. Def made it easier for me.
Learn. Equip. Trust.
We specialise in IRATA Rope Access, GWO and Confined Space training;
we also supply rope access equipment and inspect PPE
Training
Large indoor facility in Sheffield.
Equipment
Huge range of rope access kit in stock.
Experience
Respected industry experts.
Respected industry experts
At Access Techniques we aim to provide the best training experience we can – as good or better than any other. Before starting our centre we worked as freelance techs and instructors for companies all over the world, giving us the experience to create the ideal training centre here in Sheffield.
We are passinate about teaching access techniques and love sharing our expertise. We also offer confined space, GWO and PPE inspection training
We believe that safety in the work place starts with knowledge. Managers and operatives must first understand the unique hazards of their work environment, and how they can be managed while maintaining productivity.
about access techniques
World class facilities
training opportunities
Career Enhancing Courses
Industrial Rope Access
Industrial rope access is a modern, safe and flexible method of working at height, where ropes and harnesses are used for both access and support at the work place.
It is highly cost effective, being lightweight, quick to deploy and has an enviable safety record.
IRATA Approved Courses
Techniques and guidelines and have been developed and standardised by IRATA over the last 40 years to a point where rope access has become the chosen means of access for many tasks in construction and industry – including oil and gas, renewables, historic buildings and the natural environment.
IRATA certifications are widely recognised as the global industry standard, trusted around the world for ensuring safe and reliable rope access skills.
Refresher Training
£165inc VAT
- Single Day Revision
- Use of Facilities
- No Assessment
- Varied Challenges
- Instructor Supported
Full IRATA Course
£875inc VAT
- Levels 1/2/3
- Initial, Upgrades & Revals
- 5 Days Assessed Training
- Certified Competence
- Group Instruction
Levels of Competence
The IRATA system has 3 levels of competence, from level 1 (Basic) to 3 (Supervisor). Attaining each level involves four days training, plus a further day being independently assessed by IRATA, followed with refresher training and revalidation every three years. The basic manouevres are all covered at level 1 with higher levels adding increasingly complex planning, rigging and rescue exercises.
Before moving up a level technicians must first log a year’s experience, including a minimum 1000 rope hours at their current level.
The GWO Training (Global Wind Organisation)
Provided by Access Techniques includes various courses across categories that can help trainees achieve lucrative careers within wind and renewable energy.
We provide GWO Certified renewable energy courses which meet Global Wind Organisation requirements. GWO certification is important as it has helped raise safety standards across the turbine and wind industry.
Access Techniques also develops lots of Customer Specific training courses to meet their specific needs as well as modern industry trends. With the variety of GWO modules that we provide, the courses are meant to help students reach their full potential when it comes to the wind and renewable energy industry.
Basic Safety Training (BST)
This module based training serves as a beginner’s course for candidates who wish to start working in the field of wind energy. Students who will be working in the field would be required to perform duties in operation, maintenance or installation of wind turbines. The course prepares students for all eventualities that may occur in such situations. It includes the following modules:
Enhanced First Aid (EFA)
Personnel who will be working in the wind industry or related fields, and who will have duties to fulfil in a wind turbine environment, as well as usually being in physical contact with a wind farm environment or an offshore wind structure.
Personnel that is selected by their employer to perform Enhanced First Aid onshore or offshore, where training according to the GWO Enhanced First Aid training may enable them to react to incidents and thus mitigate the results of casualties deriving from the identified risks.
Advanced Rescue Training (ART)
Personnel who will be working in the wind industry or related fields and will have their duties in a wind turbine environment. Personnel that may need or is selected by their employer to perform advanced rescue or lead an advanced rescue operation, where training according to one or more modules of the GWO Advanced Rescue Training may mitigate the identified risks.
Train. Prepare. Survive
Check availability of our GWO training courses or learn more!
Confined Space Entry
Confined spaces come in many forms – silos, tanks, pipes, shafts – and are not always obvious. Trenches and tanks may trap poisonous gases despite being shallow and open to the air. Other spaces may appear to offer easy access but would make retrieval of a casualty very difficult.
Our courses give workers the knowledge they need to first recognise confined spaces, and then plan and carry out work safely within them.
Do I need confined space training?
The Confined Spaces regulations 1997 States that:
Employers are required to provided such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure the health safety at work of employees. Specific training for work in confined spaces will depend on an individual’s previous experience and the type of work they will be doing.
Confined Spaces
£180inc VAT (From)
- Low and Medium Risk (1 Day)
- High Risk (1-2 Days)
- High Risk and Rescue (1-2 Days)
- Comprehensive Assessed Training
- Practical & Classroom
- Certified Competence
- Group Instruction
At Access Techniques we offer a course that covers the broad spectrum of work that is carried out in industrial environments. We can also specifically tailor training to the environment your employees will be working in. The assessed level of competence directly relates to the risk level of the tasks you are required to undertake. We offer a Low and Medium risk Confined Space course. Suitable for most industrial and commercial environments.
Introduction to work at height
A one day course for workers who may have to climb basic structures such as fixed ladders, towers and gantries. Covers legislation, risk assessment, equipment, inspection and planning for emergencies. Includes practical exercises on our realistic training structures.
Work at height rescue
A two day course tailored to the specific environment and rescue equipment used by your company. Mainly practical in content, workers should have experience of safe working at height using PPE, or attended our introduction to work at height course. Includes several varied rescue exercises on our realistic training structures.
WAH Introduction
£220inc VAT
- Height Risk Mitigation
- Single Days Training
- Practical & Classroom
- Certified Competence
- Group Instruction
WAH Rescue
£340inc VAT
- Varied Rescue Techniques
- 2 Days Assessed Training
- Practical & Classroom
- Certified Competence
- Group Instruction
Roped Access PPE Inspection
Our PPE Inspection course was developed for experienced Rope Access Technicians. The course is an intensive two-day workshop on all aspects of inspecting rope access equipment including setting up and running an equipment database.
Destructive Testing
We have a huge selection of worn and damaged kit on which to learn, and our 100kN test machine enables precise destructive testing of any suspect items. The course ends with an assessment and if successful you will be awarded a certificate of competency.
PPE Inspection
£480inc VAT
- Intensive PPE Inspection
- 2 Days Assessed Training
- Practical & Classroom
- Certified Competence
- Group Instruction
Examine. Maintain. Secure.
Courses usually run once a month but can also run on demand. By selecting a month; you will be offered subject to your convenience, the closest running course. The date will be confirmed.
ActSafe ACX personal ascent & equipment lifting
The aim of this training is to satisfy the manufacturers and PUWER’s requirements that all users are sufficiently trained and competent in the use of equipment in the workplace.
This intensive course will give all participants the required knowledge about the Skylotec Act-Safe ACX Power Ascender for lifting goods and personnel safely.
The aim of this training is to satisfy the manufacturers and PUWER’s requirements that all users of the ACX are sufficiently trained and competent in the use of equipment in the workplace.
Courses usually run once a month but can also run on demand. By selecting a month; you will be offered subject to your convenience, the closest running course. The date will be confirmed.
Train. Equip. Hire
Check availability of our ActSafe ACX training courses or learn more!
Rope access safety supervisor (RASS)
This IRATA approved course is designed for in date IRATA level 3s and covers the requirements in the ICOP for rope access supervisors to have specific training in the creation of risk assessments, method statements and rescue plans.
It also covers the delivery of toolbox talks, inductions and pre job briefings.
Over 2 days this classroom based course contains a mix of theoretical and practical exercises followed by an IRATA exam which can be completed online or at a Pearson Vue test centre.
Do I need to be a IRATA RASS?
Risk assessments, method statements and rescue plans are legally required documents.
If they are incorrectly completed or poorly written this could leave the Level 3, employing company or contractor liable for prosecution. Being a Level 3 RASS technician will help to strengthen your safe system of work and create working environments less likely to have accidents or incidents.
RASS training helped me apply my knowledge Innovatively and with Confidence!
Educate. Mitigate. Safeguard
Check availability of our RASS training courses or learn more!
Our Story
Access Techniques was established in 2010 by Adam Long and Aide Jebb. Between us we have over forty years of industry experience, working our way up through years on the tools on and offshore, to instruction and now management. Aide is an active IRATA assessor; Adam is the longest standing member of IRATA’s Training Committee.
IRATA TACS update
After four years work led by Adam Long, the new IRATA training syllabus was published with a total restructure and much expanded guidance.
Extensive consultation ensured the rewrite was well-received by IRATA members worldwide, and kept IRATA’s place at the forefront of the industry secure.
Size can Matter
In 2016, we doubled the size of our facility to keep pace with rising demand. Fortunately, we were able to achieve this without relocating; instead, we made better use of the building’s existing height and structural capabilities.
This allowed us to expand efficiently while preserving the features that make the site ideal for work-at-height training.
Time to Reflect
During 2020 we were forced to close for a while, before reopening on a limited basis to service key infrastructure workers with strict social distancing precautions. We took advantage of this quieter period to revamp the facility, adding a new classroom and training tower plus extensive crawl space for confined space access and rescue training.
Onwards and Upwards
We are proud to announce that we are now fully accredited to deliver GWO Basic Safety Training (BST), Advanced Rescue Training (ART), and Enhanced First Aid (EFA). To support this achievement, we have invested in purpose-built, industry-standard training facilities designed to simulate real-world scenarios and ensure the highest level of practical learning.
Our programmes are led by a dedicated and highly experienced GWO trainer, committed to delivering exceptional instruction and maintaining the quality and safety standards required by the global wind industry.
Experienced. Supportive. Approachable.
Adam Long
Director
One of the most experienced trainers in the industry. Having started his career with a landmark HSE research contract, he has since delivered training for situations as diverse as cable car rescue, Royal Opera House backstage and for the Royal Navy’s Board and Search school, HMS Raleigh. Adam sits on IRATA’s training committee and led the complete rewrite of their rope access training syllabus. In his spare time, Adam climbs to a high standard and has won acclaim as a photographer.
Adrian Jebb
Director
From desert towers to North sea rigs, Aide has seen the world with his Level 3 ticket. From school, he cut his teeth air-sealing supermarkets and installing safety nets, before gaining his Level 3 aged only 22. He then progressed to high profile contracts refurbishing cooling towers and flare stacks. After a spell offshore, his expanding family prompted him to settle down; gaining his trainer qualification he teamed up with Adam to create Access Techniques. He is now an IRATA assessor. Mountain sports are in his genes, not only climbing hard but also competitive fell-running and cycling.
Danny Coleman
Lead Instructor
Despite growing up in the flatlands of Norfolk, Danny was a keen climber from a young age. After qualifying as a welder he combined his skills with a rope access qualification. He has since worked with specialist teams on oil and gas installations all over the world. Danny started training for us in 2015 and is now our lead instructor, whose patience, deep knowledge and clear instruction is praised by trainees.
Andy Gardner
Rope Access Trainer
Andy is a solid, well-travelled climber and expert paddler who lives in nearby Bamford.
An experienced rope access supervisor on and offshore, his friendly manner and patient tuition puts beginners at ease. If you can afford him, he also offers stunt double services for celebs who don’t like heights.
Laura Whitehouse
Office Manager
Laura is our first point of contact for customers and has been with Access Techniques for two years.
In her spare time she’s a keen martial artist, recently sparring her way to a British Silver Medal in Taekwondo. Head kicks are her speciality, non-payers beware!
Tom Dixon
Rope Access Trainer
Originally from Northumberland, Tom is an accomplished boulderer and a popular face on the Sheffield climbing scene.
He mixes training for us with rope access supervision offshore, and is renowned for his technical knowledge and fancy rope tricks.
client reviews
Your Feedback
Don’t just take our word for it…
See how Access Techniques has helped others just like you!
If you have attended one of our training courses, purchased something from our equipment shop or simply just had the pleasure of meeting us; feel free to let others know about your experience by completing the form below.
Very good, helpful and trainers are very knowledgable.
Steven Jackson
GWO Wind Technician
I thought the tuition and the guidance whilst on the ropes gave me a strong confidence. I thought the tuition and the guidance whilst on the ropes gave me a strong confidence. Very little to improve. It has been a very supportive environment backed by a team of very knowledgable trainers. The facilities are also perfectly suited.
Jake Blakemore
IRATA Level 1
Highly recommended by almost every rope tech I’ve every spoken to.
Excellent – clear, patient and understanding instructors; well planned and presented course. Very knowledgable centre.
Charles Henniker
L2 Upgrade
Possibly a bit of scope for ore provision for group of mixed abilities or experience levels. I appreciate that this may be restricted by the syllabus or training guidelines
James Mousley
IRATA Level 1
Can’t fault the instructors delivery or attitude. They were always happy to help.
Lee Taylor
IRATA Level 1
Friendly atmosphere – helpful and infromative trainers – good times all round! Thanks guys, enjoyed it.
Jack Gould
IRATA Level
It is rare to find a training facility and instructors of this quality. BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD FOR ROPE ACCESS TRAINING!
Waldo Etherington
IRATA L3R
Very valuable, great practical components and engaging. Very happy. Thank you!
Julia
Work at Heights Tech
Very well taught. As I had 0% experience on Monday. By the end of the course feel confident I can work safely on the ropes.
Andreas Bierbauer
IRATA L1
Excellent experience. Have been doing RA for over 30 years and still learnt so much during this week.
Ian Jack
IRATA L3R
Heard the name from a few people over the years. Did research and was sold on the training centre. Best decision our group could have made. Danny is absolutely dialled in.
Dustin Schell
IRATA L3R
[Heard about Access Techniques through] Word of mouth from many different industries in the US. Fire, caving, petrochem, rigging / entertainment and a Welsh blose named Paul! Absolutely loved it, didn’t love the jet lag. Learned new techniques for every L3 maneouver and some lower level as well. Fabulous training week.Word of mouth from many different industries in the US. Fire, caving, petrochem, rigging / entertainment and a Welsh bloke named Paul! Absolutely loved it, didn’t love the jet lag. Learned new techniques for every L3 maneouver and some lower level as well. Fabulous training week.
Jasmine Haddad
IRATA Level 3
I feel properly trained, the methology and order in which I was trained felt fluid and organised. Eveyone here at Access Techniques is knowledgable and professional. Thank you for the patience and service during the training, Also for the clear information on the website. Booking the course was very easy.
Juan Betancur
IRATA Level 1
It was a really good experience. I didn’t have much training prior. The guys made it like I’ve been in the trade for years.
Daniel Driscoll
Great experience
Very friendly instructors
Liam Wardle
Confined Space Rope Tech
Fantastic, knowledgable trainer. Great support, brilliant facility… free biscuits =)
Best course I’ve done. It was amazing the first time and even better the second.
Lee Burton
IRATA Level 1
Wonderful – Challenging as it should be. I qualified as a teacher in 1972. This experience from Tom and James is up there with the best. Excellent sylabus, wondeful teaching, more than instructors – Friends. A fabulous learning week – intense, challenging. Delivered with supreme skill, knowledge, humour and sympathy. Amazingly skillfull demonstrations which were sooooo motivational. Both Tom and James are superbly gifted communicators who can make even the dullest subject come alive. Their skill, compassion, sympathy and patience transformed this from a course to attend into an experience deeply enjoyed.
Chris Milford
IRATA Level 3 upgrade
Learnt loads of new stuff and repeated everything enough to feel really confident with it. Andy has a really good style of teaching, it’s very clear and calm! Thank you! 😀
Tasha Bateman
IRATA Level 1
Excellent. Well informed trainers who continually manage to strike the balance between being earnest and being hilarious.
Sam Milford
IRATA Level 3
I now feel able to fill the role of an IRATA 1 rope access operator. There is nothing to improve. I think it was spot on. A very enjoyable experience.
Tommy Roberts
IRATA Level 1
Reputation as premier IRATA training provider nationawide is well deserved.
Matt Coulson
IRATA Level 1
Very hard but very enjoyable. Staff were excellent and very knowledgable
Harry Horsman
IRATA Level 1
I found the overall experience good due to the highly traned staff watching your every move, ensuring safety at all times. The facility is pretty much perfect.
Warwick Robertson
IRATA Level 1
Great pace and good grouping size. Flow of delivery connected, making it easier to understand and progress. Tailored to individual needs. Don’t just feel like you’re here to train. Felt welcomed and encouraged to question anything, improve our understanding and progress our knowledge.
Matthew Hegginbotham
IRATA Level 1
Good staff with excellent instructing ability and patience.
Azlan Miley
IRATA Level 1
Brilliant as always. Noting at all to improve. See ou in 3 years and thanks!! 🙂
Rob Martin
IRATA Level 3
Fantastic, the guys are funny and you can have a laugh. . Informative and patient, helping whenever. No question too supid – absolutely class. Massive thank you to James on my intial course and Andy for helping me conquer the fear of heights, top bloke.
Dafydd 'Scott' Fipps-Magil
IRATA Level 1
As always is top quality training and enjoyable experience overall.
Duncan Chisholm
IRATA Level 3
Very good course. Hands on. Helps absorb important matters. Everyone is very helpful.
Neil Nelson
Wind Technician
Good – Enjoyable course. All pretty good. Thanks to Geoff, well delivered.
Craig Shaw
IRATA Assessor / Director / L3
Well run course. Left with a better understanding on the equipment we use and the things to look for. I think the course is well run and I wouldn’t change anything.
Chris Hughes
IRATA Level 3
Challenging but Andy taught me the skills to get me through and calmed me down. 10/10 from Andy couldn’t be better.
Joe Jones
IRATA Level 1
The information about everything has been explained perfectly. Andy’s teaching method was perfect.
Harry Baker
IRATA Level 1
Lots of relavent information gained, also good equipment for practice. Good day. Enjoyed the course.
David Gilbey
Confined Space - Medium Risk
Excellent, good expierienced Instructors. Good course content.
John McGee
GWO BST ART
I found the whole experience insightful gave me the opportunity to learn new things and to brush up on current skills. Everything was well organised and ran smoothly.
Katie Paling
IRATA Level 3
Firstly, I’m absolutely buzzing to have passed the level 1 IRATA course that you delivered.
But I also wanted to email so say that was one of the best delivered training courses I have even gone through.
I’m a contractor and my work is typically very varied, so I do all sorts of training every year –
1st Aid stuff, site management (SMSTS and CSCS), railway stuff (COSS, IWA and PTS), plus loads of job specific stuff, it’s endless and relentless, every year – but this course and the instructor Andy Gardner really stood out as literally the best I have ever experienced.
Andy’s patience and general manner were truly exceptional.
Do NOT let that guy out of your hands.
I will be strongly advising this course to friends and colleagues.
Tristan Mayor
IRATA Level 1
Very insightful, good structure to the learning days, loved recapping constantly, repitition was helpful. Nice, pleasant learning environment, patient, attentive. Andy was brilliant. Visual and verbal cues, fun and memorable.
Steph Smalley
IRATA Level 1
Andy, our trainer was brilliant in passing his knowledge to me. The rest of the team were really friendly throughout the course. Thank yoou for providing me with a great experience and I’ll be sure to recommend to others. Thanks Andy!
Aaron Beedle
IRATA Level 1
Very thorough and informative, delivered in a manageable, easy to understand and implement fasion.
Daniel Stoney
IRATA Level 3
Very well presented, informative while also being very entertaining. Kept me engaged the whole time. Fantastic instrctors, facility and course.
Tyler Barwell
IRATA Level 1
Brilliant. Andy is an amzing instructor who structures and explains things in an easily digestable manner.
Seb Lopez
IRATA Level 1
It was really good. Andy helped me really well and I would recommend it to anyone. Nothing could be improved. Thought the centre was great for learning and the staff are all friendly.
Kieran Bunce
IRATA Level 1
Amazing. Loved every minute. Give Andy a pay rise. Unbelievable teacher, natural born teacher. Made it very enjoyable and a right laugh.
Matthew Pierpoint
IRATA Level 1
Andy is a good / thorough trainer with good techniques on how to perform the manoeuvers he teaches. Enjoyed my time at access Techniques
Andrew Toyne
IRATA Level 1
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Get in Touch
Access Techniques is a specialised training business supported by a team of experienced and passionate industry professionals. We’re dedicated to helping you grow your skills, advance your career, and tackle even the most challenging access-related problems with practical, real-world solutions.
Take the first step by giving us a call, popping in, or sending us a message…
Our approachable team is here and ready to help.
Access Techniques, Unit 4, Norfolk Barracks, Edmund Rd, Sheffield S2 4EE