The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Falck Safety Services have announced a partnership to offer expanded safety training for transportation and energy industries.
Falck, the largest global provider of safety training, and UL Lafayette signed a 10-year agreement that was approved by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors at its April 28 meeting.
According to the terms of the agreement, two FSS centers in south Louisiana will move to the University’s former Marine Survival Training Center near Lafayette Regional Airport and FSS will take over its operations. The consolidation will take place in May.
Such a public-private partnership in safety training will give the new UL Lafayette Falck Safety Services an edge, according to Falck CEO Bryan LeCompte.
“Falck’s expertise and global accreditations, together with UL Lafayette’s knowledge and experience educating the industry’s workforce, is an unprecedented way to deliver even better safety training. We are going to be the most comprehensive and diversified training center in the region,” he said.
The MSTC state-of-the-art water survival facility trained about 60 people from around the world each week. After the centers are consolidated, that number is immediately expected to triple, with further expectations to grow.
UL Lafayette President Dr. E. Joseph Savoie said working with FSS to expand training offerings will have many rewards. “The University and our community will further be known as a hub for maritime and oilfield survival training, and safety expertise. This is another example of UL Lafayette developing public-private partnerships that enhance our state and regional economies.”
In a letter to Dr. Daniel D. Reneau Jr., interim president of the UL System, Savoie noted that “UL Lafayette will benefit through the payment of a fixed fee covering facility costs in conjunction with a revenue sharing model expected to exceed current revenue generated at the facility.”
LeCompte noted that the consolidated facility on Perimeter Road is near major highways, the City of Lafayette, UL Lafayette, and oil and gas companies. He said the city’s fiber-optic network also was a factor in FSS’ decision to partner with the University. This move will help consolidate Falck’s footprint in the U.S. supporting the large training centers already in Houston and Houma, according to LeCompte.
FSS is a world leader in safety and survival training. Falck operates in 45 countries.
UL Lafayette is the second-largest university in Louisiana, with a total Fall 2015 enrollment of 19,033.