The establishment of the success criteria (things that people should be able to do) is subjective but arguably the IMCA competencies maybe correct
The problem is in the manner in which the competencies are supposed to be developed, recorded and their finite validity period (if no work for example)
The 'method' stated in the competency documents is simply not viable anymore; it was ok when done in-house or when things were very busy but NOT now
IMCA needs to consider the impact of this on the Industry and suggest a better way (just as they did when they published competency framework)
I suggest that IMCA supersedes the IMCA competency guidance with a simple IMCA membership card guidance
The membership card ( I say it this way as its less contentious) would be similar to offshore medical and survival cards (plastic credit card sized)
ONLY IMCA WOULD ISSUE THESE CARDS
It should record the three key aspects from the persons submitted CV and declaration (as part of the membership application process)
1. number days offshore
2. number of piloting hours
3. number days offshore in position
It should be issued by IMCA for a total price of less than USD 50-100 and can be updated as and when a person/member feels the need
The 'membership fees' would pay for the administrator for this aspect and the cards themselves
================================================
IMCA ROV SUPERVISOR CARD
NUMBER >> 16-08972
ISSUED >> 01 JAN 2016
NAME >> Mr Jack Russell
DOB >> 01 Jan 1990
TOTAL DAYS OFFSHORE >> 792
TOTAL PILOTING HOURS >> 196
TOTAL DAYS OFFSHORE AS ROV SUPERVISOR >> 250
This card is issued based on declared Information from Jack Russell as reviewed by IMCA
============================
In my view,
PRIOR to anyone paying any money for the suggested 'membership card' (with work related data)...
IMCA needs to issue guidelines that categorically explains to its contractor members that these membership cards are intended to confirm that a person has proven experience/competence in the specific role
Importantly that the card replaces the need to refer to expired 'competency records' or fictitious IMCA certificates
When the person goes offshore the safety officer can ask to see Survival Card, Medical Card and IMCA Card
These will verify the person is trained re survival, medically fit and has past experience at the position he/she is going to do (or at least in the role they will supervise)
It is using proven performance offshore and past work as the basis for issuing a 'statement of fact'
This 'method' removes any liability issues
Most importantly when we all get asked for IMCA certification we have it
Obviously employers should look in detail at the CV of the person to see if the experience (and training) fits the system and job scope...but itâs a start
My belief is that the vast majority of people that have been offshore for a reasonable period of time and performed the work at a certain level can be assumed competent
The CV is ultimately proof that your contractor members have previously entrusted a certain aspect of their contract, equipment, personnel and reputation to the person in questionâ¦
What else is there?
The good thing about this is in a time where people have no work and canât continue to pay to be recertified they can have an IMCA certificate (in card form) which documents accurately what they have proven they can do
IMCA can also explain to contractor members what a 'real IMCA card looks like' and to ignore anything counterfeit
Anyone that reads the IMCA card will get a quick snapshot of what the person has done in the past
The problem is in the manner in which the competencies are supposed to be developed, recorded and their finite validity period (if no work for example)
The 'method' stated in the competency documents is simply not viable anymore; it was ok when done in-house or when things were very busy but NOT now
IMCA needs to consider the impact of this on the Industry and suggest a better way (just as they did when they published competency framework)
I suggest that IMCA supersedes the IMCA competency guidance with a simple IMCA membership card guidance
The membership card ( I say it this way as its less contentious) would be similar to offshore medical and survival cards (plastic credit card sized)
ONLY IMCA WOULD ISSUE THESE CARDS
It should record the three key aspects from the persons submitted CV and declaration (as part of the membership application process)
1. number days offshore
2. number of piloting hours
3. number days offshore in position
It should be issued by IMCA for a total price of less than USD 50-100 and can be updated as and when a person/member feels the need
The 'membership fees' would pay for the administrator for this aspect and the cards themselves
================================================
IMCA ROV SUPERVISOR CARD
NUMBER >> 16-08972
ISSUED >> 01 JAN 2016
NAME >> Mr Jack Russell
DOB >> 01 Jan 1990
TOTAL DAYS OFFSHORE >> 792
TOTAL PILOTING HOURS >> 196
TOTAL DAYS OFFSHORE AS ROV SUPERVISOR >> 250
This card is issued based on declared Information from Jack Russell as reviewed by IMCA
============================
In my view,
PRIOR to anyone paying any money for the suggested 'membership card' (with work related data)...
IMCA needs to issue guidelines that categorically explains to its contractor members that these membership cards are intended to confirm that a person has proven experience/competence in the specific role
Importantly that the card replaces the need to refer to expired 'competency records' or fictitious IMCA certificates
When the person goes offshore the safety officer can ask to see Survival Card, Medical Card and IMCA Card
These will verify the person is trained re survival, medically fit and has past experience at the position he/she is going to do (or at least in the role they will supervise)
It is using proven performance offshore and past work as the basis for issuing a 'statement of fact'
This 'method' removes any liability issues
Most importantly when we all get asked for IMCA certification we have it
Obviously employers should look in detail at the CV of the person to see if the experience (and training) fits the system and job scope...but itâs a start
My belief is that the vast majority of people that have been offshore for a reasonable period of time and performed the work at a certain level can be assumed competent
The CV is ultimately proof that your contractor members have previously entrusted a certain aspect of their contract, equipment, personnel and reputation to the person in questionâ¦
What else is there?
The good thing about this is in a time where people have no work and canât continue to pay to be recertified they can have an IMCA certificate (in card form) which documents accurately what they have proven they can do
IMCA can also explain to contractor members what a 'real IMCA card looks like' and to ignore anything counterfeit
Anyone that reads the IMCA card will get a quick snapshot of what the person has done in the past