BENEFITSOFANOPITOAPPROVED COMPETENCEMANAGEMENTSYSTEM(CMS) A good quality, effective competence management system will bring real and lasting benefitsintermsofbusinessandsafetyperformancetoanyorganisation.

Thereisanincreasingfocusbyindustryregulatorsandprofessionalbodiesontheneed forformalprocessesfordeveloping,maintainingandmonitoringthecompetenceofstaff. OPITO The Oil & Gas Academy has developed best practice criteria by which an organisation may have its existing CMS evaluated and approved. OPITO seeks to provide value to an employer by conducting an objective third party measurement againstarangeofkeyprocesseswithaneffectivecompetencemanagementsystem. Organisations currently holding OPITO approval have confirmed real value from the ongoing quality assurance review and measurement, and continue to incorporate the auditfindingsintotheirorganisationscontinuousimprovementplans. Thebenefitsofaneffectivecompetencemanagementsysteminclude: Improvedstaffmotivationandperformance The basis for staff development & advancement within the organisation that employeescantakepersonalownershipof Reducedfrequencyandseverityofincidentsandaccidents Improvedproductivityduetoenhancedworkforcecompetence Reducedcosts Addedvaluetobusinessprocesses

A skilled and competent workforce is vital to the health of the UKCS, in terms of ensuringsafeoperations,sustainingdomesticoilandgasproductionandsupportingthe exportoftheknowledgeandexpertisethathasgrownupwithit.

BenefitsofOPITOApprovalinclude: Internationallyrecognisedbrand AdditionalexternallevelofqualityassurancetoanorganisationsCMS Competitiveadvantage Enhancedcredibility Exemptionfromquestions10.1and10.2oftheFPALassessment Exemption from some detailed Competence questions in client tendering questionnaires

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OPITO has carried out competence management development and accreditation for global organisationsin several countries and has business development staff basedin Malaysia&theMiddleEast. ExcerptsfromCompetenceAssuranceCaseStudies: PSN PeterBrown,ManagingDirectorUK,isresponsibleforthehealthandsafety,andprofit andlossinPSN'snorthernEuropebusiness: "Iampassionateaboutthenaturalworld, the peopleinitand their safety. I strongly believe that theonly way to begin coaching anyone is to 'walk the talk', and this applies to anything, not only safety. Achieving an incidentfree workplace by raising the level of health, safety and environmental accountabilityatalllevelsintheworkforceisoneofmydrivinggoals. "I started in this industry as an apprentice so understand the importance of rigorous training and ongoing learning. PSN has 'walked the talk' by investing in a new generationofengineersthroughourinnovativedesignacademy,graduateschemesand career conversion programme Reengineer. OPITO accreditation is a fitting seal of approvalfromtheindustryrecognisingourongoingcommitmenttocreateasustainable, safe,skilledworkforceforthefuture." Centrica Improved business performance and staff development were key benefits to gaining OPITOapprovalforCentricaEnergyHydrocarbonResourcesLtd,aleadingsupplierof energyandrelatedservices. The company developed its own competence management scheme based on best practice found in a range of high risk industries and approached OPITO, as the lead bodyconcernedinthedevelopmentoftheoriginalsafetycriticalstandardsfortheoiland gassector,foraccreditation.. PetrofacFacilitiesManagementLtd WesawtheOPITOauditandapprovalprocessasarobusthealthcheckonthewaywe conductedourcompetenceassurancebusiness. Industry credibility of OPITOs accreditation of CPP also provides us with the opportunitiestoinvestigatethebridgingacrosstoequivalencewithnationalqualification. . Cegelec Cegelecs training and commissioning manager, Pontius Hutapea said Cegelec evaluatedanumberofbodiesprovidingqualityassuranceofcompetencemanagement systems. Based upon its unique and recognised position in the oil and gas industry,
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OPITOwasselectedasthemostsuitedtoevaluateoursystemandassureitsqualityto bothourmanagementandourclients. Withthisrecognitionofoursystem,Cegelecislookingforwardtoalongandrewarding relationshipwithOPITOaswebenefitmutuallyfromoureffortstobethebestproviders ofstructuredtrainingandassessment.Ourcustomersdemandhighperformance,with this endorsement we can clearly demonstrate that our training and assessment programsdelivertothehighstandardsrequiredbyourindustry. ShellE.P.EuropeNAMWellServicesBase Companies across the globe apply to OPITO for approval of their competence management systems, proving language and culture differences are no barrier to the industrysongoingcommitmenttoasafeworkingenvironment. Competence coordinator for NAM Well Services, Richard Horlings, is responsible for thedaytodayoperationoftheCMS.Richard,whowasawardedhisInternalVerifier,VI certificate from OPITO in 2004, said The benefits to our company, of having OPITO approval,arethatwehaveademonstrableandclearcompetencesystemthatisjudged onaregularbasisbyarecognisedexternalauthority.. ShellNigeriaExplorationandProductionCompany(SNEPCO) SNEPCOsproductionskillsmanagementcoordinatorDeleMagbadelosaidWewanted to get an external and internationally recognised offshore training body to audit and approve SNEPCOs competency management system and award vocational qualificationLevel3topersonnelwhomeettherequiredstandards. This ensures that personnel become highly motivated, having the required knowledge, skills and attitude to operate and maintain safely all facilities with a high degree of competencybyapplyingbestpractices.

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