IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 13/05

IDSA/IMCA SUSPEND WORK ON DIVER TRAINING PROGRAMME

For the last 18 months, IDSA and IMCA have been working together to deliver a programme for international recognition of initial diver training standards.

IMCA had carried out a review amongst its diving contractor members around the world which recognised the need for clearer internationally accepted certification. IDSA has a world-wide membership and had already developed a training standard and a process towards auditing.

The aims of both organisations are well aligned and were to provide common training standards to facilitate the free movement of diving personnel internationally and obtain recognition by stakeholders (employers, clients, governments and training establishments and other representative bodies).

The proposed method of achieving these aims was to:

• develop an appropriate programme and transitional arrangements using IDSA diver training standards; this in turn would lead to:
• IMCA accepting the IDSA qualification
• IDSA members issuing IDSA diver training cards
• consult with and gain the acceptance of the appropriate stakeholders
• work to agreed milestones, aiming to have the scheme in place from 2005.

Considerable progress has been made, but IDSA and IMCA now believe that the aims cannot be achieved in the anticipated timescale, not least because of a lack of the wide support from some of the stakeholders. Both organisations consider that the buy-in of all stakeholders is central to the successful development of the programme.

IDSA and IMCA have decided to suspend the programme development, pending reconsideration of the best way forward. Both organisations still believe the aims remain valid.

In the meantime, IDSA and IMCA continue their dialogue and discussions with the stakeholders.

Notes to Editors (IDSA)

• Founded in 1978 on the initiative of Alan Bax (Fort Bovisand, UK) and Jim Joiner (College of Oceaneering, Los Angeles) the Association brought together the major Diving Schools, world-wide, concerned with the training of Commercial Divers. From the earliest days one of its major concerns has been the need for of an internationally accepted standard for diver training which would improve the quality of divers entering the profession, provide for on-going professional development, and enhance job opportunities beyond national borders. The Association now has 17 Full Member schools, 15 Associate Members, and 14 Affiliate Members.
• The regular meetings of members of the Association provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas, not limited by national boundaries and interests. In recent years members have been able to review the qualifications and training programmes already on offer and to bring together their expertise in the planning and teaching of courses. The result of several years of negotiation and planning has been the recent publication of the IDSA Standards and Procedures which, whilst encompassing all national standards at present in existence, provide the basis for courses which meet the needs of industry for trained divers at various levels. It is thus intended that employers worldwide will be assured that a diver with an IDSA card has been properly trained to the stated level, whilst divers can be confident that an IDSA recognised school will provide training necessary to achieve the relevant level of competence.
• As part of the on-going development of IDSA standards, all Full Members - who are entitled to award IDSA qualifications - will undergo full audits of their schools within the next three years. New schools, joining the Association are first accepted as Associate Members and must then undergo a full audit before being eligible for full membership.
• Website: www.idsaworldwide.org

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.
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