A NEW centre in Inverkeithing that provides specialist training to industry workers has been hailed as "innovative and incredible" by Douglas Chapman.

MRS Training and Rescue’s purpose-built premises in Belleknowes Industrial Estate represents a six figures investment and the Dunfermline and West Fife MP took a tour last week.

Formerly the Mines Rescue Service, it now offers bespoke training for working at height and confined spaces to sectors including construction, renewables, oil and gas.

Mr Chapman said: "The innovative and incredible facility really does set the standard for an indoor training centre of this nature, and will undoubtedly prove useful in upskilling those employed in areas such as green energy production.

“It’s interesting that a service that was borne out of the coal industry and provided a safety and rescue service for Scotland’s miners, is moving into training for Scotland’s new workforce in the wind, wave and tidal power industries.”

The "ultra-realistic" practical training environment aims to cover a variety of industry scenarios that workers could face and includes an 8 metres high scaffold, ladders, trap doors, gates, hatches and guard rails.

It also has a sloping roof and flat roof – both with open edges – a freestanding tower, a suspended rescue and a casualty stretcher rescue, confined space vessels and a network of crawl spaces with a variety of entry points.

The centre adds to their existing base in Crossgates which has a purpose-built 17 metres high tower for work at height exercises, as well as a wind turbine for the company’s training courses for the renewable industries, and a range of confined space tunnels and classrooms.

Mr Chapman said: “Thanks to training centres such as this one, West Fife will play a key role in training those working in some of Scotland’s most vital sectors in the years ahead and help create a safe working environment for all their workers.”

Andy Watson, deputy manager from MRS, added: “The facility is the benchmark for future MRS growth in the UK and beyond and it was excellent to meet with someone like Douglas, who clearly shares our passion for supplying industry with innovative and creative ways to meet their needs.”

The service can trace its roots in Scotland back to 1910 when a mines rescue station opened in Cowdenbeath.

With the decline of the coal mining industry, the company expanded and diversified to meet the needs of today’s health and safety market.

The opening of the state-of-the-art training centre in May follows a record year for the business, with profits and staff numbers up, and a significant contract win to provide training for shipbuilding firm Ferguson Marine.

At the time, Errol Parrish, operations manager at MRS Training & Rescue, said: “This is a significant investment for our business, most especially during the challenging times that the pandemic has brought.

"We have in fact been fortunate to buck the economic trend over the last 12 months and have remained fully operational, helping to support our clients within mission critical industry.”

He added: “We have been at the forefront of innovation since our inception over 100 years ago.

"From our beginnings as a Mines Rescue Station, we have developed and diversified to meet the operational needs of industry to become the nation’s premier provider of specialist working at height, confined spaces training and emergency rescue cover and consultancy.

"This new facility will support our existing site in Crossgates to help deliver the very best training solution for a number of mission critical sectors.”