tycom and SQA join forces Offshore

Published:   10th Sep 2007, 13:55

We have joined forces with the SQA to create a pioneering new system for storing and verifying offshore workers' evidence of competence. The electronic portfolio, or e-portfolio, has been designed to speed up work-based assessments of oil and gas related Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), by removing the need for folders, photocopied work and paper certificates. Following a year of research and refining, the product was launched at Offshore Europe 2007 last week.

Called e-competence Energy, the e-portfolio is a database which can be accessed by employees, SQA assessors and verifiers and employers. We and the SQA say it will prove particularly useful to companies which have offices overseas as elements of a candiate's work can be assessed and verified from the UK. The system has already been trialled by an oil company and there may be scope to modify the system for other sectors in the future.

We had the expert knowledge of the oil and gas industry and the experience in creating specialist bespoke software that SQA was looking for when it was considering designing an e-portfolio system.

Alistair Findlater, Managing Director, said: "We are delighted to have been working with the SQA to develop this new e-portfolio. This is a product designed specifically to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry and those who work in it, but it can be tailored for other sectors in the future.

As well as freeing up time, e-competence Energy provides remote access to files, therefore speeding up the process of getting staff offshore as companies can quickly check an employee's qualifications and records by logging on to the database.". He added: "This is a great example of our ability to create unique systems for specific purposes.".

Alison Spice, a Business Development Manager at SQA, added: "The e-portfolio means there is no need for papers or folders which can get lost. It reduces time and it can also be used to store information like passport and medical certificates. This new product means that a company which is based overseas will have the option to use assessors and verifiers, when appropriate, in different locations which could significantly save on resources. While candidates will obviously still be able to use paper files, the SQA is giving the companies the option to have a paperless solution, with the vision that Scotland will be seen as demonstrating innovative and successful use of emerging technologies.".

In the wake of the Cullen report following the Piper Alpha disaster, workers have had to meet strict company standards or obtain vocational qualifications in order to work offshore. SVQs come at different levels and the SQA oil and gas qualifications are based on the national guidelines developed by OPITO, which has responsibility for standard setting in the oil and gas industry. The areas covered include process engineering maintenance, offshore deck operations, processing operations hydrocarbons, offshore drilling operations and well services. Candidates carry out work-based assessments and instead of sitting exams, they are continually assessed so must provide evidence of their work. The e-portfolio can also be used to store video or audio clips to provide further evidence of a candidate's achievements.