Spotlight on Offshore Industry Competence Management

Findings in the oil and gas industry show that drilling companies focus on speed, often at the expense of worker and environmental safety. The UK's track record for offshore competence is better than most. Following a ruling in the US on 15th November 2011, whereby competence certification is now mandatory throughout the oil industry, Maritime Training & Competence Solutions (MTCS Ltd, UK) and its team now plans to reverse the industry's unfortunate track record.

Richard Warburton, managing director of MTCS Ltd, UK, says that although the new competence mandatory requirement applies only to the oil company operators, they will insist on it being implemented by the contractors too. There is some concern among the contractors on how they go about getting competence certification. The company has made the competence programme flexible, where candidates are assessed in their workplace. No matter where in the world they are, candidates can use the distance-learning methods most appropriate to their needs, whether it be through the internet or the office intranet.

 

All the competence programmes can be delivered at the company’s worksite, making it easier for candidates to attain their accreditation. Programmes will be launched to the subsea industry, focusing on International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) disciplines.

 

Clearly defined in the American Petroleum Institute directive is that competence management is mandatory, whereby all operators are required to have a Safety Environmental Management System (SEMS). IMCA provides a competence framework from which members can develop their own schemes across a common format that aids cross-industry recognition. From an office to be set up in Houston, Texas, MTCS will be prepared to deliver the training to ensure everyone is prepared for the required competency certification.