Guidance on competence assurance and assessment: Remote Systems & ROV Division

Version history

April 2024 Rev. 3.2 – Document quality review – preface and layout updated; no change to content
June 2020 Rev. 3.1 – Minor amendments to terminology in the competence tables
December 2016 Rev. 3 – Minor editorial changes made as part of IMCA’s five-year review process
January 2011 Rev. 3 – Technical updates; streamlining and consistency of language
November 2009 Rev. 2 – Review and update of tables, new positions included, client representative tables included
July 2003 Rev. 1 – Extended to include further positions
January 1999 – Initial publication

Summary

IMCA’s guidance on competence assurance and assessment has been developed to provide offshore contractors with a framework on which to build their own competence schemes, thereby giving the offshore industry in general confidence that all personnel appointed to safety-critical and other relevant positions can carry out their jobs in an effective manner.

A competent workforce is more productive, operating with reduced risks, shorter downtime 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. A competence framework also enables personnel to plan their career development, as it outlines to them the steps required in order to attain the required levels of competence for their current job function and future career path development.

This guidance therefore aims to:

• specify minimum standards for qualifications and, where applicable, minimum experience required to ensure that personnel are competent to fulfil their safety-critical and other relevant responsibilities and fulfil their roles;
• specify a competence assurance framework showing how proficiency can be developed, demonstrated, accepted and maintained;
• provide a reference document detailing the procedures, criteria and recording system to be applied when assessing the competence of personnel engaged in all positions but especially safety-critical positions.

Contents

• Introduction
• Overview
• Competence Assurance
• Competence Assessment
• Assessors and Verifiers
• Competence Assurance and Assessment Tables – ROV