Finalists for OPITO Oil & Gas Safety Awards Unveiled

The shortlist of six finalists for OPITO’s annual global oil and gas workforce safety awards has been announced.

SBM, Stork Technical Services and Total ABK Academy are competing for the Employer of the year title while IFAP, MSTS/Falck Safety Services Malaysia and PT Samson Tiara have made the final three in the Training Providers category of the awards.

The awards recognise companies that best demonstrate their commitment to building a safe and competent workforce through OPITO standards.

Winners will be announced at the OPITO Safety and Competency Conference (OSCC) in the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Tuesday, November 19th. This global annual event, now in its fourth year, is supported by headline sponsor Shell as well as IHRDC, SEFtec, Atlas and Gulf Technical & Safety Training Centre.

SBM has adopted OPITO principles in its operations and training efforts and is committed to achieving continuous safety performance improvement. The majority of the company’s 1700 offshore personnel are trained to OPITO survival standards and the courses are mainstays of SBM’s survival requirements. More than 51 offshore installation managers and deputies passed the Controlling Emergencies coaching and assessment during 2012.

Total ABK Academy aims to train Emiratis to work proficiently and safely as technicians in the oil and gas industry. OPITO standards have been adopted due to their internationally recognised brand and their integration has helped to establish a strong culture of safety at Total ABK Academy. Over the past 12 months, more than 70 students and staff members were trained in the Emirates Technical and Safety Development Centre – the first OPITO accredited training centre in the Middle East.

Central to the aim of Stork Technical Services is the development of a sustainable, skilled and competent workforce. The company has introduced a training programme for newcomers to the oil and gas industry and has also worked closely with OPITO on a training programme for former members of the armed forces. In total, Stork has assessed more than 1079 individuals as part of its competency management system.

PT Samson Tiara became the first OPITO approved training provider in Indonesia during 2004. The organisation’s mission is to drive the growth and adoption of the OPITO standards across the country. PT Samson Tiara has helped more than 2000 companies to train 17,000 people to OPITO standards. In the past year, more than 50 members of PT Samson Tiara’s own staff have been involved in the provision of OPITO training over two training centres.

Within the past 12 months, IFAP has trained new staff members in the OPITO course staff development plan. Progression through IFAP’s career pathway is based upon attainment of OPITO competencies and a demonstrated capacity to consistently deliver courses that meet or exceed IFAP’s quality standards. New staff are paired with an experienced staff member who has attained OPITO course competencies to mentor them throughout their initial training programme.

MSTS/Falck Safety Services Malaysia uses train the trainer and OPITO competency assessor courses as part of its induction programme. All of MSTS/Falck Safety Services Malaysia’s 20 OPITO approved standards are included in their internal training matrix, with all 30 trainers involved in the programme. A continual development programme ensures all trainers remain competent and are briefed with any changes introduced by OPITO.

The OSCC was introduced in 2009 as a way to bring operators, contractors and the supply chain together with training organisations to provide a forum for improving standards of safety and competency that protect the workforce and the industry’s reputation.

Upwards of 300 delegates from around the world are expected to attend the event which will explore how a global approach to training standards, frameworks, qualifications and quality assurance of the training supply network add value for employers. It will also examine what these procedures mean for individuals in the workplace.

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Press Release, October 07, 2013