International learning and skills specialist Atlas has expanded the global footprint of facilities capable of delivering the groundbreaking new global training initiative IMIST for the oil and gas industry with the approval of the first centre in Iraq.
The accreditation of the Al Delma facility in Basra City demonstrates Iraq’s commitment to developing its energy industry and creating a workforce trained to the globally recognised basic safety standard, IMIST online.
It brings the total number of invigilation centre’s approved to deliver International Minimum Industry Safety Training (IMIST) around the world to 16, with facilities spanning Australia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines as well as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Nigeria and Russia among others.
The Al Delma centre will be capable of delivering the programme to up to 250 people every day.
Bilal Mahmood, CEO of Al Delma said: “Long-term underinvestment in the development of our oil and gas personnel has meant considerable training is needed if we are to accomplish the goal of a safe and skilled workforce for the future.
“As one of the biggest training centres in Iraq we have built our reputation on being quick, smart and reliable and we are delighted to be the first to gain approval to deliver this new international training and be a model to others in the country.”
Developed by global oil and gas training standards body OPITO International, IMIST brings for the first time a standardised level of basic safety training to an estimated 1.5million oil and gas workers worldwide. The training assesses basic safety knowledge in nine subject areas including risk assessment, asset integrity, the use of hazardous substances, working at height and mechanical lifting among other subjects.
IMIST online, which was launched in the Middle East in July 2011, is delivered in partnership with Atlas via approved invigilation centres only.
By gaining Atlas approval to deliver the course, workers using the Al Delma centre will have their IMIST training accepted by employers all over the world. It will also reduce the burden of training costs for companies with both new entrants and experienced workers able to undergo a full range of mandatory and voluntary health and safety courses under one roof.
Atlas chief executive John Rowley said: “This is a significant step forward for the oil and gas workforce in Iraq in terms of creating a safe, sustainable and profitable oil and gas industry for the country.
“It is also a major milestone in the adoption of a common industry standard for basic safety and competency in oil and gas around the world. The support which has been shown for this initiative is evident in the rapidly increasing footprint of centres which now spans across all four corners of the globe and is testament to the industry’s desire to improve safety at all levels.”
