IPAF Strengthens Global Training Standards with Pilot Senior Instructor Workshop in Changsha, China

IPAF recently marked a significant milestone in its mission to uphold and align powered access training standards worldwide with a pilot senior instructor workshop held in Changsha, China on 12-13 May. This initiative brought together senior instructors from both Europe and Asia, reinforcing IPAF’s commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality training across all regions.

Leading the workshop was Jur Kamsteeg, IPAF’s Benelux Representative and a seasoned Senior Instructor, who travelled to Changsha to engage with two of IPAF China’s Senior Instructors - William Fu Weiguo, from Hongqi (Shanghai) Machinery Technology Co., Ltd, and Eric Li HuaTao, from Haulotte Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

This session was designed to refresh and realign the practices of IPAF’s senior instructors in China with global standards, ensuring that instructor training is delivered with the same rigor and consistency everywhere in the world. The workshop covered a comprehensive review of IPAF’s instructor training procedures, instructional delivery methods, assessment protocols, and recent updates to training materials and best practices.

As a leading voice in IPAF’s European training efforts, Jur Kamsteeg brought with him a wealth of international knowledge, sharing key insights into the latest developments in instructor development and delivery. His facilitation of the workshop fostered an engaging, collaborative environment where both sides could openly exchange experiences, challenges, and success strategies.

William Fu Weiguo, representing Hongqi (Shanghai) Machinery Technology, has long played an important role in advancing MEWP safety training in China. His deep involvement in IPAF's development in the region made his participation in this workshop especially valuable. Similarly, Eric Li from Haulotte Trading (Shanghai) brought practical, field-based insights that enriched the discussions and allowed for a truly productive exchange.

Both instructors expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate in this senior-level knowledge-sharing session, noting the benefits of realigning with IPAF’s latest global practices and exchanging notes with an international counterpart. The workshop also provided a space to discuss future improvements, challenges in regional implementation, and the evolving needs of trainees in Asia.

This workshop marks the first of its kind in the region, representing a key step forward in IPAF’s broader vision of harmonizing training quality around the world. The success of this initiative underscores the value of international collaboration and IPAF’s proactive approach to instructor development.

By supporting its global network of instructors through hands-on sessions like this, IPAF ensures that its training standards remain world-class, consistent, and impactful - regardless of geography. Whether in Europe, China, or anywhere else in the world, IPAF continues to raise the bar for safety, professionalism, and excellence in MEWP training.

As IPAF expands its reach across Asia, this workshop sets the tone for future regional development, affirming the Federation’s belief that training quality knows no borders - and that teamwork and collaboration remain at the heart of IPAF’s global success.