Competence Assurance & Assessment - Guidance Documents

IMCA's competence guidance has been developed to provide offshore contractors with a framework within which to produce their own competence schemes, thereby giving the offshore industry a general confidence that personnel appointed to safety-critical positions can carry out their jobs in an effective manner.

A competent workforce is more productive, operating with reduced risks, shorter downtimes and fewer injuries. At the same time, all those involved know a rigorous assessment procedure is in place against which their skills, experience and knowledge will be measured.

The guidance, therefore, aims to:

• provide an overview and description of a typical competence assurance and assessment scheme
• specify minimum standards and qualifications, where applicable, and minimum experience required to ensure that personnel are competent to fulfil their safety-critical responsiblities
• specify a competence assurance framework showing how proficiency can be developed, demonstrated, accepted and maintained
• provide a reference document detailing the procedures, critiera and recording system to be applied when assessing the competence of personnel engaged in safety-critical positions.

The guidance is set out in the form of a document for those implementing competence schemes plus competence tables for positions in the relevant technical sector(s) of the industry. A composite volume for all sectors is also available. The tables define:

• For competence assurance - a range of critiera including academic and vocational qualifications, demonstrable experience, technical skills, medical certification and appropriate training
• For competence assessment - detailed tables setting out knowledge and demonstrable skill levels across 'core competences' relevant to all safety-critical personnel (such as communication and emergency response) and 'key competences' specific to the role being filled and activities being undertaken.

The updated guidance provides implementation guidance on new personnel entering a competence scheme, experienced personnel entering such a scheme for the first time and on existing personnel within a competence scheme, covering entry criteria, the recording of progress as people receive training, broaden their skill base, gain experience or attain more knowledge, and guidance on ongoing assessment arrangements. Advice is also given on auditing, assessment and review.

For details on obtaining competence scheme documentation, including selected free downloads, please visit the IMCA Documents area of this site, where you can also discover the range of IMCA logbooks and competence records.