IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 12/04

KEEPING COMPETENCE AWARENESS HIGH

There is an increasing global emphasis on the importance of using competent personnel, something that is set to continue. With a focus on workplace assessment, where skills and behaviour are considered, and with an international perspective, IMCA's - The International Marine Contractors Association - competence assurance and assessment framework provides a mechanism for the demonstration of competence now demanded internationally in the offshore industry.

Launched some five years ago and regularly updated, IMCA's competence assurance and assessment guidance provides a framework within which its contractor members can demonstrate the competence of their personnel to both clients and regulators. The framework, with its focus on workplace assessment where skills and behaviour are considered, provides a suitable mechanism for the demonstration of competence now demanded internationally in the offshore industry.

"To ensure awareness and understanding of the IMCA guidance, there is a set of frequently asked questions (and answers) on our website," explains Jane Bugler, IMCA's Technical Director. "We have recently extended these and will continue to develop ever more FAQs in response to enquiries from members and others."

They range from the perhaps obvious ones such as:

• What is the IMCA Guidance on Competence Assurance & Assessment?
• Why does IMCA insist that this is just 'guidance'? Wouldn't it be easier if these were the rules?
• Why do I need to prove my competence if I have been working in the industry for many years?

To the more specific such as:

• How long does competence last?
• Who should carry out workplace assessments?
• I move from company to company - how is this all going to help me?
• Are competence assessments transferable between companies?

Notes to Editors (common)

• IMCA is an international association with over 450 members in more than 50 countries, representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Americas Deepwater, Asia-Pacific, Europe & Africa and Middle East & India regions, as well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training. IMCA seeks to promote its members' common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
• IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports. These have been developed over the years and are widely distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document, safety recommendation, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and safety flashes.
• Judith Patten is here to help you if you want any additional information on IMCA; would like to discuss a feature article; want to organise interviews with key members of the IMCA team, etc.