History

HOTA, the Quality Training Provider, offers nationally approved training and tailor-made courses to meet company specific training needs. HOTA is renowned for its flexibility and for its highly trained team of professional trainers delivering courses when, where and how they are required.
HOTA is a Limited Company with Charity Status ploughing back all surplus funds generated into enhancing its training facilities at The Cullen and The Ellis Buildings - Malmo Road and its Albert Dock Site.

HOTA has acquired an enviable reputation and a high level of credibility over the past years for its training provision throughout the UK and it intends to maintain its position as a market leader and a pioneer for many years to come.

June 2015- HOTA complete another successful Charity Dunk

HOTA had 12 fantastic teams participate in the 2015 charity dunk from a range of companies around the Humber. The chosen HOTA charity was Yorkshire Air Ambulance, raising just under £1500. Companies also chose their own charities as sponsorship and in total raised a further £2000

May 2015- HOTA receives accreditation from RUK/GWO.

HOTA is pleased to announce it has gained full accreditation from RUK/GWO (Renewables UK/ Global Wind Offshore) to offer the basic renewables training courses. These include: Fire Safety, Marine Safety, Firs Aid and Manual Handling

May 2015- HOTA join forces with HFR Solutions to offer a full renewables training package.

A new partnership between two local training providers has been formed to deliver the wind industry’s five Basic Safety Training (BST) modules in a one week package in Hull.

The partnership between HFR Solutions and HOTA offers training that meets the standards of the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) and RenewableUK (RUK) in working at height, marine safety, fire awareness, first aid and manual handling.

October 2014- HOTA wins 'The Training Business of the Year Award at The Chamber Bridlington & Yorkshire Coast Business Awards 2014

HOTA is pleased that on Friday 10th October 2014 at the Chamber Bridlington & Yorkshire Coast Business Awards 2014 we won the Training Business of the Year 2014 Award. The category for this award was :

Businesses who are passionate about, and add value through staff training

October 2014- Charity Dunker Challenge 2014

DOZENS of daredevils managed to escape from a submerged helicopter shell to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

This years’ charity dunk raised just under £1000. Hota would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and contributions. We're already taking names for next year, please contact charlie@hota.org if you wish to participate

September 2014- HOTA becomes one of the First Training Providers in the UK to offer New STCW10 Refresher Training

The launch of the new STCW10 Maritime Training Courses comes following HOTA's announcement made earlier this year regarding the expansion of facilities to include a second fire-ground at its Malmo Road Site.

HOTA is proud to announce that it will be one of the first Training Providers in the UK to offer STCW10 Maritime Refresher Training Courses. Courses will commence 30th September at the companies Albert Dock and Malmo Road Sites in Hull.

January 2014 - Appointment of New Training Unit Manager & Site Expansion

Capt. Amanda Viljoen took over the reins from Capt. Grahame Hicks as Training Unit Manager at HOTA on 1st January 2014.

Amanda, who previously held the role of Maritime Course Instructor has extensive experience at senior management level within the Maritime Industry.

HOTA opened a newly refurbished third unit on 8th January 2014, at its site based on Sutton Fields Industrial Estate. The unit is a further extension of The Ellis Building which was opened in 2011.

The site expansion is a direct result of amendments to Maritime Industry Standards STCW10, which are projected to attract an additional 1700 delegates to the Hull based Training Organisation.

October 2013- Safety Award Winners 2013

HOTA is proud to announce it is the winner of the Humberside Occupational Health & Safety Group (HOH&SG) ARCO Health & Safety Trophy 2013 - Awarded for Significant Health & Safety Improvement.

The annual awards evening took place on Friday 10th May at Lazaat Hotel in Cottingham and was attended by a table of representatives from HOTA including General Manager, Karen Shepherd and Assistant Training Unit Manager, Kristian Davis.

Kristian Davies commented on the receipt of the award, "It is vital for HOTA to maintain a strong support network due to the diverse range of training courses and work activities undertaken by the team."

"The systems and procedures recently developed will ensure equipment, facilities and additional required resources are monitored and controlled continuously to support the core business function - providing excellence in training," added Kristian.

HOTA's General Manager, Karen Shepherd went on to say "The HOH&SG Award win is testament to the hard work and commitment the HOTA team place on Health & Safety Improvement not only with regards to training but also behind the scenes."

The HOH&SG was instigated in 1934 by a small, pioneering group of individuals with an aim to reduce accidents and instil principles of safety as a moral rather than a statutory obligation - HOTA has been a member of the group for over 10 years.

October 2013- The High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire visits HOTA

The High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Mr Stephen Larard, visited HOTA (Humberside Offshore Training Association Ltd) on Tuesday 8th October 2013 at the invitation of Mr John Prescott, a past Trustee.

The market leader for the provision of Offshore and Maritime Training, HOTA, was established in 1987. As a Limited Company with Charity Status all surplus funds generated are ploughed back into both HOTA's Malmo Road and Albert Dock Sites to enhance facilities.

The High Sheriff was most impressed by the facilities and the team of instructors, including the improvements to the Malmo Road premises with the opening of The Ellis Building in 2011 and the additional unit which is currently undergoing refurbishment, which is due for completion later this year. The extended facilities will see an estimated 50% increase in Maritime firefighting Training at HOTA along with growth in capacity for the provision of Offshore basic and refresher training courses.

Mr Larard said "The services provided are a valuable asset to the Offshore and Maritime Industry and it is good to see such an excellent enterprise being based in our City."

July 2013 - Course and facility developments at Malmo Road

A second purpose built fireground was opened to delegates 17th July 2013. The additional facility will play a major part in the preparation for amendments to Maritime Standards.

June 2013- New Course Launch - City & Guilds Inspection & Testing

HOTA is adding City & Guilds 2394-01 & 2395-01 Level 3 Inspection & Testing Course to its current Electrical Course Portfolio in June 2013.

The course is aimed at professionals with good experience and knowledge of testing and inspecting electrical installations who want to update their current understanding of techniques and legislation.

March 2013 - 25th Anniversary Dinner

On Saturday 9th March, HOTA held its Anniversary Dinner at The Deep. The Rt Hon The Lord Cullen of Whitekirk KT and the Lord Mayor of Kingston Upon Hull Councillor Danny Brown and his Lady Mayoress Mrs Lynda Brown were among the distinguished guests who attended the evenings celebrations.

January 2013 - Appointment of new General Manager and further expansion of Malmo Road

Development has begun on the waste land behind The Ellis Building, HOTA Malmo Road to create a second Fireground for Offshore, Maritime and Health & Safety Training.

HOTA is pleased to announce the appointment of its new General Manager - Karen Shepherd. Karen, who previously held the position of Business Manager within the company, took over the reins from Linda Ellis on 1st January 2013.

Karen has worked at HOTA for 22 years starting out as a Course Administrator in the rented premises in Hull City Centre and along with Linda, has been a major force in developing and expanding the company to what it is today.

December 2012 - Linda Ellis retires as HOTA's General Manager

After an amazing 25 years' service Linda Ellis retired as General Manager and Company Secretary of HOTA. The success and growth of the company is a direct result of the hard work and dedication Linda has devoted to HOTA - her baby!

Linda was delighted to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of HOTA shortly before her retirement. Linda will be on hand to pass on her advice and knowledge as she joins HOTA's Board of Directors in March 2013.

November 2012 - HOTA Celebrates its 25th Anniversary

On 24th November HOTA celebrated its 25th Anniversary. HOTA has come a long way in 25 years - the company started out with two members of staff located in a small rented office in the City Centre, today HOTA operates out of three major sites in Hull with 45 employees.

To celebrate its 25th year HOTA has been proud to support the local business community through sponsorship at the Humberside Fire & Rescue Community Awards and Chamber Bridlington & Yorkshire Coast Business Awards (CBYCBA).

Along with the formal celebrations HOTA also held a Charity Dunk Day - Thursday 8th November. Dove House Hospice & Hornsea Rescue supported by Hull & East Yorkshire Smile Foundation were chosen as the beneficiaries of the Charity Dunk. Over £1000 was raised by the 50 daring individuals from local businesses who took part in the challenge.

August 2012 - Launch of Entry into Confined Space Training

Entry into Enclosed Spaces Training launched as an addition to HOTA's current Maritime Course portfolio. The facility was built in house by HOTA's team of technicians and apprentices.

June 2012 - HOTA support Humber

As part of the first Humber showcase HOTA joined other Team Humber Marine Alliance (THMA) member companies' along with 5 local authorities and the Humber LEP to promote the diverse offerings the region has to offer.

The collaborations of businesses and local authorities will showcase the strengths and expertise within the Humber Area.

HOTA entered a team to take on the challenge of the Hull Biz Week Cup where 20 teams from local businesses battled it out for the cup to raise funds for Hull Children's University. The team was made up of representatives from all three of the companies' sites.

May 2012 - New facilities and Congratulations

HOTA joined a number of local businesses, training providers and colleges to show support for Viking FM's £1 Million of Work. Viking FM received congratulations from the Prime Minister, David Cameron, for the excellent results accomplished as a direct effect of local businesses and organisations pulling together.

The IT Suite became the latest addition to HOTA's expanding Malmo Road Site - located in The Cullen Building. The fully fitted IT Suite provides a dedicated location for Computer Based Assessment for a number of HOTA's Electrical Courses and will also enable an increase in course capacity for further Computer Based Training Courses.

March 2012 - Award Winning Facilities

A presentation of Integrated training was held on 30th March by HOTA's Emergency Response Team and an external consultancy organisation. The evening was intended to showcase the developed method of training to representatives from local Top and Lower Tier COMAH Sites.

Albert Dock was chosen along with ABP's Green Port Site as the two 'key,' renewables sites in Hull.

March 2012- HOTA added another prestigious Award to its cache. It won "Business of the Year," at the Humber Renewables Awards 2012.

In terms of Health & Safety, HOTA has received annual Awards from the Humberside Occupational Health & Safety Group for being accident free.

2011 – Opening of New Premises and Expansion of Facilities

2011 ended on a high note for HOTA in October 2011 when it won 'The Best Medium/Large Business of the Year 2011' Award at the Chamber, Bridlington & Wolds Business Awards 2011. It went on to win 'The Overall Business of the Year 2011' at the same Ceremony.

November 2011- HOTA won the 'Business Innovation Award 2011' at the Mail News & Media Business Awards 2011 Ceremony.

September 2011, both sites were officially named at a ceremony attended by The RT Honourable The Lord Cullen of Whitekirk who gave his name to HOTA’s original building. The new building was named after HOTA’s General Manager of 24 years, Linda Ellis.

Contractors moved onto the new site early in 2011 to undertake building work in the 2 new Units, remodelling them to accommodate both new and additional training facilities. By June 2011 the Units were ready. The First Aid and Comp’Ex’ Suites were transferred into the new Units, both being expanded and extended.

Additionally, HOTA set up an IRATA approved Rope Access Centre and a Working at Heights Centre in collaboration with a sub contract, specialised, training provider.

2010 – Seeking New Premises

By early 2010 HOTA had expanded into every corner of its Malmo Road Site. The expansion in HOTA’s training portfolio had resulted in an increase in both courses and delegates. Facilities were being stretched and new premises were needed to cope with the expansion. Throughout 2010, alternative premises were investigated and by the end of the year 2 Units had been secured on an adjacent site on Malmo Road.

2009 – Expansion in Training Portfolio

HOTA was charged with researching and implementing a short term Business Development Plan to grow the business significantly in 2009/10.

Many new courses were developed including:-

Approved Safety Representatives Refresher Course
NEBOSH Oil & Gas Certificate
CIEH Approved Environmental Course
Offsite Fire Risk Assessments
RYA & Power Boat Courses
Team Building Courses
H2S course
MIST/CBT

2008 – HOTA manufactured and installed the Skyscape System on its Dock Site

On its Malmo Road site, it invested substantial funds into the commissioning, manufacture and installation of a new Helicopter Underwater Escape Training Simulator.

Work started on the expansion of HOTA’s Comp‘Ex’ Suite (Approved Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Areas) to increase the number of assessment bays resulting in increased delegate throughput. Work also started to further expand this area to allow for the addition of Approved Dust Protection Training.

2007 – HOTA celebrated its 20th Anniversary

Emergency Response training proved so successful that a second Suite was required. A new lecture room was, therefore, constructed on the Poolside and the First Aid Suite transferred into it. This development involved the strengthening of the lecture room ceiling to accommodate a display area for rafts etc. accessed by a newly installed, separate, staircase.

2005/6 – More new approved courses for Seafarers

HOTA added many new, MCA Approved, courses to its portfolio, particularly for the Maritime Sector during this period. These included Proficiency in Medical Care on Board Ships and its Refresher, Ship Security Officer, Advanced Fire Fighting and its Refresher.
A series of Civil Protection Courses were also introduced and HOTA gained University of Hull Foundation Award status for them.
HOTA’s new Website was established and substantial investment was made into the development of the Fireground, HOTA’s Computer Systems, Pool Plant & Equipment, HOTA’s Catering Facilities and into further enhancement of the Emergency Response Suite.

2004 – HOTA expands into Emergency Response Training collecting another National Approval!

Never an organisation to stand still, HOTA’s next obvious development was into Emergency Response training. The long, single storey building, which had started life as a 3-bay garage and been extended to include the fire changing facilities and lecture room, underwent a major overhaul when the roof was lifted and a second storey was added.
This new storey then housed a dedicated Emergency Response Suite and a dedicated First Aid Suite.
The Emergency Response facility provided training in the planning, organisation and procedures required to manage emergencies, assess managers' abilities to take control of emergencies and provided exercises to practice decision making in emergency response situations.
This facility was National Approval by OPITO for the assessment of Offshore Installation Managers and Control Room Operators which involves assessing the competency of delegates in managing major incidents utilising realistic scenarios, culminating in the abandonment of an Offshore Installation.

2002 – Further Dock Refurbishment

Early 2002, HOTA’s dock site underwent further development and refurbishment when a Restaurant and an additional lecture room, clothing and equipment facility, reception and dock site office replaced old portocabin type buildings which had seen better days! The Albert Dock site became not just a subsidiary but HOTA’s second site of major activity and has subsequently earned the reputation of being the best dockside training facility in the UK!

2001 – NEBOSH approval

In 2001, HOTA expanded the provision of Health and Safety courses to include approval for the NEBOSH General Certificate.

1999 – Major Changes at HOTA!

1999 was a very busy year for HOTA, new training streams were added and huge developments took place.

HOTA began offering seafarers, world-wide, the full range of STCW95 short courses. The Command & Control Centre, set up at Malmo Road, was transferred to the Dock site and, in its place, a newly installed Electrical Suite at Malmo Road allowed HOTA to add nationally approved Comp’Ex’ courses (Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Areas and Potentially Explosive Atmospheres) to its portfolio.

The portfolio of training was also significantly increased with a variety of City and Guilds approved courses.

In September 1999, HOTA commissioned its own fire ground at Malmo Road. The original garage, now housing First Aid and Comp’Ex’ Suites, was extended to include additional lecture rooms and changing room facilities to cater for the fire fighting trainees.

The same year, an Amenity Block was built on the dock site, together with additional lecture rooms.

1998 – HOTA adds Standby Vessel Training to its Portfolio

HOTA entered into liaison with Maritime Rescue International to offer six new courses for the Standby Vessel Industry. Courses included Command and Control for Masters and Mates, Initial Training Shipboard Operations, Advanced Medical Aid and Refresher, FRC Boatman and FRC Coxswain. To facilitate the Command & Control courses, the remaining 2 bays of the original garage were modified to provide a Command & Control Centre.

The provision of these Standby Vessel courses was greatly enhanced by the installation of the hospital section taken off an actual sea going vessel on HOTA’s Dock Site. This unit provides true realism for the delivery of the medical training courses to seafarers in particular.

1997 – HOTA celebrates its 10th Anniversary

On the 6th November 1997, HOTA proudly celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a Dinner at the Guildhall in the presence of the Lord Mayor and Mayoress of Hull, distinguished guests and many of its customers/clients.

HOTA also celebrated the issue of its 10,000th training certificate. What a coincidence, in the 10th year!

A new, elevated, ¾ size helideck, complete with helicopter (this time manufactured out of a Daihatsu Van!) was constructed in HOTA’s extensive car park to aid realism during the practical sessions of the Helicopter Landing Officer Course. HOTA’s garage was relocated beneath the helideck.

1996 – Another first for HOTA

In 1996, HOTA became the first centre in the UK and World-wide to attain OPITO approval for the Helicopter Landing Officer course after it installed a Helipad complete with Helicopter (manufactured out of a Bedford Van!) at its Malmo Road site.

One of the bays of a single storey garage on the Malmo Road site was modified to become a First Aid Lecture Room

Also in 1996, HOTA gained IOSH accreditation for its OIMs and Offshore Safety Representatives Regulations Course.

1994 – HOTA gains both ISO9002 Approval and The Investor in People Award

In April, 1994, HOTA became the first offshore training centre in the UK to achieve ISO9002 certification and the national award of Investor in People proving it’s commitment to the delivery of quality training and to the continuous improvement of it’s services.

1992 – Training Centre officially opened

Training began from the new purpose built centre in April 1992. Her Royal Highness Princess Anne officially opened the Training Centre on the 8th June and Lord Cullen, Chairman of the Piper Alpha Disaster Inquiry and Michael Forsyth, Minister of State for the Department of Employment also made official visits.

HOTA began expanding its portfolio of training courses by adding new courses including HSE approved First Aid courses.

1991 – June, work starts on new Survival Training Centre

On the 17th June 1991, work started on the construction of a new, purpose built, Survival Training Centre on Sutton Fields. HOTA also relocated and expanded its dock facility from Alexander Dock to Albert Dock. Instructing staff delivering HOTA’s water survival courses were transferred from the college into HOTA’s employment. Linda Ellis became HOTA’s General Manager/Company Secretary.

1988 – Linda Ellis joins HOTA as Training Co-ordinator

Operating out of rented offices in Hull City Centre, HOTA was very much a “middle man” in those early days, offering training which was delivered predominantly by Hull College (Water Survival) and Humberside Fire Brigade (Fire Fighting) in a variety of locations around Hull

1987 – December, HOTA became incorporated

As a Limited Company with Charity Status, HOTA was born out of a Local Collaborative Project in 1987 when large Oil & Gas Companies like Conoco, British Gas and BP, who were previously sending their personnel to Scotland or Norfolk for nationally approved training, wanted to establish a more local Training Facility.

HOTA was established by the Industry for the Industry and, in those early days offered just 6, nationally approved, courses for the offshore Industry.