Oil Spill Response

Oil Spill Response Training Managers Darren Waterman and Thomas Liebert discuss the achievements of 2008 and give their insights on the year ahead for the Training Department and worldwide industry.

Looking back on 2008, what was particularly significant for the Training Department?
Darren Waterman:	"2008 was a record year for the Training Department. We've been increasing the numbers of delegates, courses and course locations year on year. That's 2300 people on 148 courses, roughly three courses a week delivered by our teams in Southampton and Singapore. We intend to continue on that trend of growth for 2009 and beyond."
Thomas Liebert:	"To cite a precise instance of growth, the Singapore base experienced a huge overall change. After a few years of steady progression, we've actually managed to increase by 50% the number of courses we've delivered this year, making us a regional hub for training and we want to build on this development for years to come."
DWa:	"The introduction of the competency based Assessment Options was a significant step change in the way we deliver learning. It measures the competency of the delegates through assessments, observations and other different methods that we've put in place, and allows delegates on published courses the choice of being measured against an occupational standard versus a standard attendance-led option."
TL:	"We back ourselves up against OPITO, an international organisation that is the industry's focal point for skills, learning and workforce development. It is well-recognised, be it in the North Sea or Southeast Asia. We didn't want to have something that was in-house only. Having an Approved Competency Management System recognised by OPITO gives us a lot of credibility and demonstrates that we have taken our training standards to a higher level."
2009 promises to be a challenging year for the Company and the greater industry. What immediate challenges do you foresee that will have an impact on the demand for Oil Spill Response training courses?
TL:	"Indeed, it's often said that training tends to be the first part that is cut back when there is a financial squeeze. It would be good for companies to remember that their people are their most important asset and investing in people in difficult times is probably the best way to prepare for when the economy picks up again. The message we give to our Members is to use the time to invest in your people and review your preparedness levels. Hopefully, on our part, we will be in good stead to deliver this increased range of training and other services to cover all those customer needs."
DWa:	"In tough times quite often the oil, gas and shipping industries streamline themselves so they are left with a leaner workforce that still has to deliver the needs of the business. Staff will still require training to make them competent in their new areas of responsibility. From another angle, the industry, regulators, governments, public and other stakeholders will continue to put even more emphasis on environmental issues, thus driving higher standards and increasing the need for companies to be prepared for oil spill response. Other areas of preparedness will be emerging like Hazardous and Noxious Substances issues, so I think we will also see a demand for preparedness services like training."
What are the strengths of Oil Spill Response training courses that will continue to be built upon in order to meet these challenges?
DWa:	"Like it says in our tagline "Improving Preparedness through Development in People", as Thomas mentioned earlier, we believe our most important asset is people. Our people have the competence and real current spill response experience that they gained through the attendance in actual responses to be experts in their own field."	"Our people have the competence and real current spill response experience that they gained through the attendance in actual responses to be experts in their own field."
TL:	"We've got a record of 37 spills this year. We draw from that incredible experience and translate it into the training we offer, using real life knowledge to explain to our delegates what the realities of oil spill response are. This is our real strength and how we differentiate ourselves. From that point of view, I'm not sure any other organisation has had so much exposure to spills in a year like we do."
DWa:	"Our purpose as a function of Oil Spill Response is to improve the preparedness of the oil and shipping industry so therefore our focus is on delivering high-end services that sets industry benchmarks for quality and in-depth learning. We encourage feedback from our customers to ensure that we are delivering the right services at the right standard of quality and look to constantly improve on that."
New locations, courses and training delivery methods are on the cards for 2009. Perhaps you can share some details with us.
TL:	"We are in a position now to develop much more. The locations and some of the highlights of 2008 will be put into practice next year. For example, we've been developing the Shipping Course that is dedicated to the shipping community in Singapore since 2007. We've organised the first shipping course in Hong Kong just this year in November and this is now part of our 2009 portfolio. We are also looking at expanding into the rest of the Asia Pacific region. Shanghai and Japan are among our options as well as seeing how certain courses can be translated into Europe where the shipping industry is also very dynamic. Another important development is the chemical response for Hazardous & Noxious Substances, or HNS as we call it. There is a new IMO convention on HNS in force now that require facilities with petrochemicals to have response plans and trained personnel. Our Members who deal with such chemicals seek our advice and tap into our expertise that is evolving into those petrochemicals. What we did in answering to that particular request was to develop a course that focuses on raising the awareness of how to plan, respond and ensure safety for response to HNS incidents. Our Members are asking us to do it because we have a track record of good delivery and high standards. With the structures and organisations involved in the Shipping course for example, we offer our Members a full scope of support."
And that harks back to the stepping of our traditional remit of oil spill response.
DWa:	"That's right. Likewise, with the change in direction, there is an expansion in our services. We have been developing a course on Incident Management for delivery in 2009. This is a high-level course that allows managers to develop the soft skills, processes and procedures of managing a generic incident. So that's yet another way we are stepping out of our traditional remit. We are also looking at different methods through which we can offer learning. In January we'll be releasing an E-Learning course for On-Scene Commanders of UK offshore installations. This is the BERR Level 1 course, or the DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) Level 1, and will be delivered entirely through e-learning. You can access the course through our website and take the course online. As for new locations, in addition to Hong Kong as mentioned by Thomas, we will be delivering published courses in Libya and Nigeria, further increasing the places we offer courses and placing them closer to the customer."
Tell us more about the capabilities of the training workforce that has enabled Oil Spill Response to develop new training initiatives and deliver courses to the highest standard.
DWa:	"It should be reassuring for our customers to know that we use the same methods of competency assessment on our own staff as we do for our course delegates. We have developed occupational standards for all technical disciplines within the organisation. This method of learning, on-the-job application and assessment form the bases for personnel development and career progression.	"It should be reassuring for our customers to know that we use the same methods of competency assessment on our own staff as we do for our course delegates."
	We also give our staff the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and gain new skill sets from working in different departments. This not only pays dividends in providing people with an excellent range of skills but also keeps our staff motivated, enthusiastic and full of fresh ideas. Our aim is to get all our trainers through recognised 'Assessor' qualifications, adding to their capability as oil spill experts."

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