International Safety Training Centre (ISTC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Malta-based Alberta Group. Founded in 2000 with its main operating centre in Hal Far, Malta, ISTC has firmly established itself and built a sound international reputation for top-quality training services focused to meet and exceed today’s highly specialized and demanding training environment.

International fire and safety training customer portfolio

ISTC provides fire and safety training for personnel employed mainly with international, regional and national oil and gas companies operating onshore or offshore Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Mauritania. ISTC has also provided its training services to companies in Algeria, Austria, Argentina, Equatorial Guinea, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Italy, Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and the USA.

Basic and advanced fire and safety training courses

The fire and safety training curriculum ranges from basic to advanced levels of fire fighting (including urban, rural, petrochemical, industrial, maritime, offshore i.e.
helicopter underwater escape, and aviation), hazardous materials, sea survival, helicopter and helideck operations, emergency response, first aid, search and rescue, occupational health and safety and environmental protection.

In addition, ISTC offers more job-specific courses such as defensive driving, desert driving of 4x4s and heavy goods vehicles, VIP security driving, scaffolding, lift truck and crane operators, slingers and banksmen, and security guards.

ISTC offers fire and safety training courses for offshore and onshore oil and gas personnel.
ISTC’s fire and safety training curriculum includes basic to advanced levels of fire fighting, hazardous materials, and helicopter and helideck operations.
ISTC provides sea survival training, including helicopter underwater escape.
As part of its curriculum, ISTC offers fire and safety training on helicopter and helideck operations.
ISTC offers high-quality courses with accredited training standards, fast and efficient service and competitive pricing policies.

Accredited offshore and maritime fire and safety training courses

ISTC’s courses comply with the latest EU and US standards and are accredited to international industry-specific standards such as the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation (OPITO) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Airport / aviation fire fighting

ISTC is registered as a training provider for airport / aviation fire fighting with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which regulates the policy and standards for civil aviation in 190 contracting countries.

European Fire Service Colleges network

ISTC has gained an excellent international reputation over the years, which is reflected by the company being awarded full membership of the European Fire Service Colleges Association (EFSCA). This is a high honour for ISTC and something which European fire fighting training centres aspire to.

Technology for fire fighting, safety, security and rescue training

As a cooperative learning centre for Texas A&M University (TEEX), ISTC has full access to the latest cutting-edge technology, which enables us to offer training in fire fighting, safety, security and rescue operations set to globally recognized standards such as the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), US Pro-Board and the American Heart Association (AHA).

Accredited training standards, consistent quality management, and fast and efficient service, combined with excellent geographical location and competitive pricing policies, have established ISTC as the region’s leading training centre for the oil and gas sector. This has resulted in the acquisition and retention of high-profile major players from the international scene, which includes multinational corporations such as Amerada Hess, British Gas, British Petroleum, BakerHughes, ConocoPhilips, Eni, GreyStar, Halliburton, MI-Swaco, OMV, Oxydental, Petrobras, PetroCanada, Repsol, Schlumberger, Shell, Total, Weatherford and Wintershall.

Maritime safety equipment inspections and certification

Alberta is a leader in the maritime sector. We are involved in the service and approval of the annual inspection and certification for fixed gas extinguishing total flooding systems, foam systems, all types of portable and semi-portable extinguishers, self-contained breathing apparatus devices (SCBA), emergency escape breathing apparatus / devices (EEBA/D), and the analysis of breathing compressed air and smoke detection systems.

Offshore service engineers and technical staff

Alberta is fully equipped to serve the offshore industry with a team of service engineers and technical staff who are certified and approved by the leading classification societies. Regular overseas and in-house training is carried out to keep abreast with latest technologies.

Maintenance and certification of on-board vessel systems

Alberta has attained approvals to carry out maintenance and certification of systems on-board vessels by DNV, Bureau Veritas, RINA, Germanischer Lloyd, Lloyds and ABS, and advocates strict adherence to safety of life at sea (SOLAS). Personnel are trained in all aspects of shipboard safety and compliance, and have also undertaken basic offshore safety induction and emergency courses (BOSIET).

As a class-approved service company we can issue valid certificates of inspection upon completion of the service, ensuring that an owner’s vessel always sails on time. Standardised procedures, quality workmanship and strict compliance with all rules and regulations ensure that shipowners always receive the very best service.

Alberta gained the confidence of several shipping companies and was awarded specialized retrofit contracts for high / low pressure water mist, Novec 1230, FM200 and CO2 system installations.