UK: The Underwater Centre Scoops Prestigious Award

Fort William-based subsea training and trials facility, The Underwater Centre, has picked up a prestigious award at the SCDI Highlands and Islands Annual Dinner and Business Excellence Awards 2013.

The Underwater Centre was presented with the Global Energy Award for Excellence in People Development at the ceremony, which was attended by 350 guests from the Highland business and economic community.

The award was presented to the business, based in the Highlands and Islands, which could best demonstrate its commitment to developing the skills of its employees. This involved leadership and a company-wide ethos of investment in people which shows a high priority to excellence of service, health and safety, sustainability and the communities in which its works.

General Manager Steve Ham said: “It is an honour to have picked up this award. In a year when we have further developed our ties with industry, plus we’ve seen an increase in individual UK and international customers, it’s really pleasing that our efforts have been recognised by our industry peers,” said Steve.

“This is testament to the hard work of all our staff and I would like to thank everyone at the Centre for their input and efforts in helping to deliver our service in the UK and further afield.”

The Underwater Centre has been training divers and ROV pilot technicians for almost 40 years. Its primary focus is to provide industry specific skills and competency training for commercial divers and ROV pilots, helping graduates into their new careers and providing the energy sector with the skilled workforce it needs.

It is the only training centre in the world that offers the full range of Health and Safety Executive (HSE) commercial diving qualifications in air and mixed gas diver training, from HSE SCUBA to HSE Closed Bell diving.

Global Energy Groups Communications Director Alastair Kennedy added: “The Underwater Centre has been recognised for some time as a leader in the training of skilled commercial divers, and their efforts to ensure that as many people as possible can benefit from the opportunities both in the North Sea and around the world are worthy of praise.

“There is a growing demand for skilled workers to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry and wider energy sector and I hope through this scheme and others we can help a new generation of Scots to access those opportunities.”

Based at the head of Loch Linnhe, the Centre offers a unique sheltered, seawater site with a large private pier extending into the loch. The waters plunge to depths of 150 metres, which are ideal conditions for commercial diving and ROV training. There is also a large, purpose built, onshore diver and ROV training tank complex.

The Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) is Scotland’s leading economic development organisation. Its aim is to influence and inspire government and key stakeholders to create sustainable economic prosperity for Scotland. Its membership includes SMEs, colleges and universities, government agencies, local authorities, trade unions, charities and the third sector.

The SCDI annual dinner and awards celebrates excellence and showcases the achievements of the region’s businesses. The event took place at The Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on Friday, September 13.

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Press Release, September 16, 2013