John Lowe, the newly appointed operations director of the International Safety Training Centre, has been tasked with exploiting the growth potential of the Alberta Group subsidiary’s training operations in Malta and Libya.
Having worked extensively on behalf of the Fire Service College in the UK, Mr Lowe is well-known on the international emergency response and civil defence circuit. He came to know Alberta Group chairman George Barbaro Sant several years ago and often discussed ISTC’s potential and the enhancement of its status.
Mr Lowe told The Times Business his appointment was an opportunity to implement the ideas discussed in the past.
“Through discussion and agreement it is understood that ISTC needs to broaden its portfolio and develop strategies that appeal to all levels of staff within the emergency response arena,” Mr Lowe explained.
“Obviously this will not happen overnight as we need to improve the competence of the staff as they move to deliver internationally accredited courses for fire fighters and the more in-depth courses required for the higher level managers. In turn, this will improve the quality of the training delivery which is essential to the longer term goals.”
With a career spanning 48 years, Mr Lowe first served in the UK Fire Service as a professional senior officer in local authorities including Leicestershire and Rutland, Lincolnshire, Humberside, and West Midlands, and before taking up a role as civil servant at the Fire Service College.
At the college, Mr Lowe was head of the shipping section in the school of operations. He was later appointed design and delivery manager within the command division where his responsibilities revolved around student development in operational management and health and safety studies. After 12 years, he was tasked to head the newly formed Centre for International and Wider Market Development Projects.
Mr Lowe has been involved in the delivery of expertise and the successful tender negotiations with several countries in many regions including North Africa, the Middle East, the Far East, and Europe.
A leader in its field across the Mediterranean, ISTC provides training in fire, health and safety, emergency response, first aid and survival to a diverse customer base across the globe.
Mr Lowe said ISTC’s growth would stem from building on solid foundations. ISTC is to initially focus on three main areas: First, it would attract new staff who would develop into highly competent instructors. Quality would be improved through better training for staff and an improved product. Accreditation would also be sought from internationally known institutions in a bid to elevate ISTC into a centre of excellence.
Longer term, ISTC would seek approval from universities, including the University of Malta, to cross-map vocational training to their academic qualifications. Personnel undertaking ISTC training would be able to obtain academic qualifications at Certificate, Diploma and Degree level, he added.
Mr Lowe admitted his management style was suited to the more disciplined environment.
“To work successfully, ISTC needs to be a closely knit unit whose staff pull together for the good of the organisation. Given time, I will be pleased to lead a team that will work in this way,” he said.
Mr Lowe will be mainly based in Malta while he settles into his new role, while making frequent visits to Libya. As the infrastructure takes shape, Mr Lowe said he would will be headquartered wherever it is deemed more beneficial and to better achieve any extended company vision whether it is Malta, Libya or any location where a training provision is required.