Page 44: of Marine Technology Magazine (May 2014)

Training & Education The practice in oil & gas eLearning in the U.S is growing rapidly, with many oil companies now us- ing eLearning as part of its competence manage-ment programs. Several oil giants in the U.S. such as Shell, Exxon and Chevron are keen on competence-based management, because it is an effective way for managers to ensure their workers are capable of making the workplace de- cisions. Although companies have focused on competences for some time, the practice is growing in eLearning, and more companies are making formal attempts to tie eLearning to competence management.Because the oil and gas business is so competitive, senior executives realize that knowledge, and the application of knowledge, is key to business success. Oil and Gas execu- tives therefore tend to see learning as a strategic priority. And because the major oil companies have a variety of proprie- tary processes and technologies that require bespoke learning solutions, it often commissions third-party vendors, such as British company, Maritime Training & Competence Solutions (MTCS Ltd.), to develop bespoke content. Both Shell, Exxon and Chevron use competence management within learning and training, and this process plays a role in deÞ ning the need for eLearning content. MTCS Ltd. is currently working with Team Trident, a private stafÞ ng Þ rm based in Houston, Texas, with a niche focus on skilled trades for the offshore energy industry, to ensure Team Trident customers have excellent competence certiÞ cation op- portunities available to them. ÒAfter Macondo, the U.S authorities have been emphasizing the skills and experience expected from personnel in the Gulf of Mexico,Ó said Rod Long, Team Trident, Houston. ÒThis is being handed down by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Manage- ment, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) through its Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS) re- quirements and is a very good thing for our industry. Team Trident is working with MTCS to clarify what skills ELearning Oil Majors Increasingly Employ eLearning Tools MTCS assessor. May 201444 MTRMTR #4 (34-49).indd 44MTR #4 (34-49).indd 445/12/2014 2:15:38 PM5/12/2014 2:15:38 PM