Stork Technical Services Trinidad and Tobago Ltd, has become the first business in Central and South America to achieve OPITO approval for the way it monitors and develops the skills and competence of its maintenance workers in the region. Recognised as the global industry benchmark, the OPITO competency management system (CMS) accreditation confirms that Stork’s scaffolding and fabric maintenance personnel are carrying out their roles to a best-in-class international standard. The company, a global leader of asset integrity to the oil and gas, chemical and power industries, demonstrated that its CMS for personnel across nine different roles within the business met the criteria set out by the global skills organisation following a period of stringent audits. These safety-critical posts include scaffolding, sandblasting, painting and tradesmen positions. This is the second OPITO CMS approval Stork has achieved across its worldwide operations. Its UK office in Aberdeen has upheld the OPITO standard for its workforce competence framework since 2007. Stork has become the fourth business this year to see its CMS successfully rubber-stamped by the skills body. Awilco Drilling and Centrica Storage Ltd both met OPITO’s criteria for their systems in the UK, and MAN Energy Solutions Schweiz AG received the accreditation for its CMS for roles across its European office. OPITO director, James Hamilton, said: “It’s reassuring to see a continued number of businesses around the world successfully achieving OPITO approval for their competency management systems. The accreditation brings real and lasting benefits to employees, companies and their safety performances. It offers a high level of assurance and quality to clients and properly maps out attainable career paths for personnel.” Philip Vilain, country manager for Stork’s Trinidad operations, stated: “We are honoured to have received approval from OPITO. The oil and gas industry is continually changing, and we recognise and acknowledge that competent employees are critical to our success. Earning approval helps to ensure that the services we provide are world-class and exceeds our client’s expectations. Our colleagues will know that Stork has been rigorously examined and meets international skills needs. “As a company, we remain committed to employee development aimed at preventing accidents and injuries in addition to continuous quality improvement. This is a significant achievement and validates the dedication and hard work of our staff. It is another measure of our excellence as a regional provider of engineering, project management, industrial maintenance, and asset integrity solutions. Stork continues to be the industry reference being the first to achieve this in the region.”
Published: 01-08-2018