By Ewen Hay, OPITO
The demand for a highly trained and experienced workforce across global offshore operations grows as the energy industry diversifies, technology advances and net-zero goals become more urgent. From ensuring safe travel to assets, to developing the necessary skills and knowledge in the workforce, it falls to global industry bodies like OPITO to meet this evolving need at scale and at pace.
Today’s dynamic offshore energy landscape sees the industry at a critical juncture. As global energy demands surge and sustainability imperatives intensify, the sector faces increasing pressure to innovate, adapt and elevate safety standards across all operations.
Key to meeting these challenges is a highly skilled and proficient workforce, equipped not only with technical expertise but also a deep commitment to innovation, safety and environmental stewardship. An equal responsibility from training and standards providers is pivotal to realizing this level of competency, with a critical element being the skillsets required for helicopter travel to and from offshore assets.
Cultivating competence
OPITO's training initiatives are designed to deliver a skilled and adaptable workforce, providing individuals with the knowledge to progress through their career. From emergency response and crisis management to helideck safety, specialized equipment operation and adherence to HSE protocols, these programs encompass a broad range of competencies and are critical to driving a culture of safety, environmental responsibility and operational excellence.
OPITO’s Safe Offshore Marine Operations – Offshore Installations & Energy Structures Safety Zone standard enables energy workers to recognize and mitigate potential hazards in and around safety zones. It is designed to equip personnel responsible for marine operations around structures across the energy mix, from oil and gas installations and assets to offshore wind turbines.
Helicopter safety training
This safety focus extends to the transit of personnel to offshore and remote assets—something paramount to the energy industry’s integrity. Advanced technologies play a pivotal role here, from sophisticated navigation systems that optimize travel routes to real-time communication platforms that accelerate emergency response times.
OPITO’s various training standards for helicopter landing and underwater escape are continuously monitored and updated, equipping offshore workers with the relevant experience and confidence to handle helicopter and marine-related scenarios, tailored accordingly to serve various geographies.
For the Americas region, the Helideck Operations Initial Training (Americas) and Helideck Operations Emergency Response and Aviation Fuel Management Awareness standards were designed and updated to reflect legislation and operational differences in the Gulf of Mexico. These standards offer a minimum benchmark for training in relation to Helicopter Landing Officer competence across the region to ensure the safe operation of helidecks and the safety of workers traveling offshore.
OPITO also has granted greater flexibility for training centers to offer helicopter underwater escape training (HUET) to offshore workers. As the industry embraces sustainable practices and renewable energy technologies, like carbon capture, wind and hydrogen, this needs to be reflected in training modules.
As such, making sure energy workers can achieve relevant training for their roles is a priority. Global training centers can now offer OPITO’s HUET as independent approvals, irrespective of offering full basic offshore safety induction and emergency training on site. This move allows global training centers to offer a further variety of courses and passes efficiencies to industry workers, enabling increased mobility and tailored training across different parts of the energy sector.
Shaping the workforce
The offshore energy industry is navigating a transformative era marked by technological innovation, heightened safety standards and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Certification processes and training standards, covering a wide range of skills and competencies, play a critical role in ensuring that the offshore energy workforce remains well equipped for this transformation, fostering a culture of safety, learning, innovation and operational excellence.
