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INTERVIEW KEN CHAPMAN

Some of the people who come in for training and assessment may not have been in that position of scrutiny for some time, so I always try to make the candidates comfortable. But this does not mean we make it easier. When it comes down to it, I have a personal baseline: “Would I trust this person to look afer my loved ones on board a vessel or an installation?”

Source: Maersk Training

Ken Chapman

Senior Instructor, Maersk Training be done in the class. There is no replacement for theoretical is very cyclic, and yes, this downturn has been the longest education, but blending theory with practical, real-life simu- and the deepest but you have to recognize that one of the lation is the way forward. frst things companies do during a downturn is to minimize costs, which has usually affected personnel training; nothing required by law is lost. Still, individuals who may be develop-

What do you consider to be the greatest challenge to deliver and assess effective training?

ing their career are sometimes put on hold.

Adapting to the differing cultures and attitudes I have had This is where I personally try to step in and help. If I have the pleasure of working with and ensuring the candidate is contact with an individual, I may offer some advice on how comfortable, especially when it comes to assessments and they can continue to prepare for courses or assessments to ensuring they are happy with the environment. Some of the come when the downturn is over. We see signs of improve- people who come in for training and assessment may not have ment already, recruitment is actively picking up, and with the been in that position of scrutiny for some time, so I always try introduction of a vaccine for COVID, I can see our business to make the candidates comfortable. But this does not mean picking up even more.

we make it easier. When it comes down to it, I have a per- In addition, we are using online or virtual training more sonal baseline, “Would I trust this person to look after my and more, but again COVID and the downturn has impacted loved ones on board a vessel or an installation?” Whether it be us in numbers. Once we get back to a sense of normalcy, I a written assessment or visual assessment, my goal is to fnd think online training will stay to a certain extent, but when them competent from the start. Still, if necessary, I will fnd it comes to us assessing some competencies, I feel we need to people who are not yet competent. I always try to have a plan have that personal contact.

in place for those who need to re-sit their assessment before leaving my care. Hence, they have an idea when and where

What long-term changes do you project to training delivery and assessment as a result of the pandemic.

they will return and what they need to do to improve their situation. It doesn’t always happen, but we try to make the Technology is moving along so fast that the use of video candidate leave with a positive frame of mind. meetings is making the world smaller and bringing us closer to our students in some respects. However, I am old school in

The offshore industry has been in a prolonged some ways as I like to interact with candidates, get to know downturn. Can you discuss if and how the downturn them and have that personal relationship, however small. But impacts your training procedure? that is me. I am 63, in the twilight of my career, and still

Training in a downturn is not new to me. The oil industry learning. The day I stop learning is the day I will retire.

MARCH/APRIL 2021 OFFSHORE ENGINEER 15