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IHRDC Announces It Is Now a Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Approved Center
[April 26, 2016]

IHRDC Announces It Is Now a Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Approved Center


IHRDC and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) are pleased to announce that IHRDC has been certified as an "SQA Approved Centre." With the approval, IHRDC is now able to assess candidates and award Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) for nine different vocational qualifications offered in partnership between SQA and OPITO specific to the oil and gas sector. The qualifications include the following:





                   
QUALIFICATIONS     SVQ Level 1     SVQ Level 2     SVQ Level 3
Process Operations: Hydrocarbons    

X

         

X

Process Operations: Hydrocarbons (Control Room)                

X

Process Engineering Maintenance (Electrical)          

X

   

X

Process Engineering Maintenance (Instrument & Control)          

X

   

X

Process Engineering Maintenance (Mechanical)          

X

   

X

           

In addition, IHRDC has earned the right to train and issue SQA qualifications for Assessors and Internal Verifiers involved in workforce competency assessments.

IHRDC earned the SQA credential following a rigorous vetting process. During the System Approval, the SQA reviewed IHRDC's approach to competency management, its assessment procedures and its competency tools and resources, including CMS Online, IHRDC's industry-leading competency management software. The second part of the process involved a review of IHRDC's ability to offer the qualification standards established by SQA. For each of these standards, IHRDC has developed a Job Competency Model that is unique to the oil and gas industry. These models are available off the shelf to the company's clients, to be used "as-is" or be customized if required, and have been mapped to the appropriate SQA qualification.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the SQA, an organization which has established a set of rigorous, internationally recognized vocational standards that have made a positive impact on the education and employment potential for many individuals in the United Kingdom," said Brad Donohue, Vice President of Competency Management at IHRDC. "As a global training organization, we see a distinct need to provide these same vocational qualifications to both developed and developing economies internationally - providing these same benefits to personnel on a much broader scale. We hope to work with clients around the world to help deliver these qualifications to our industry."

With the announced approval, IHRDC plans to use these qualifications in ways that include the following:

  • Assess the personnel of client companies against these standards, either with IHRDC assessors or client-provided assessors to award the appropriate vocational qualification to competent individuals.
  • Work with client companies to embed the aligned competency models, competency software system and assessment process within the organization to help assure an international standard of competency, while also providing the clients' personnel the added benefit of an international qualification.
  • Align these standards and the assessment process to the end of IHRDC's Operations & Maintenance Pathway's Blended Learning Program and award an internationally recognized certificate to participants upon completion of the program.
  • Assess the participants who are enrolled in vocational training programs from other training organizations to provide an internationally recognized standard for individuals who possess the requisite skills.
  • Train client organizations' personnel to become qualified workplace assessors and internal verifiers.

The approval means that IHRDC will have the right to register candidates in its own training programs or at client worksites and award Scottish Vocational Qualifications to those who meet the standard.

"SQA's mission is to provide products and services in skills, training and education which positively impact individuals, organizations and society," said Mark Hill, the International Regional Manager (Americas) of the Scottish Qualifications Authority. "Based on our evaluation of IHRDC's experience and innovation in the field of skills training and competency assurance, we are very pleased to approve their designation as an Approved Center for these oil and gas qualifications."

IHRDC has been providing competency management services for clients for more than three decades - defining the skills that apply to particular job roles and implementing these occupational requirements to ensure workforce effectiveness and enhanced organizational performance.

Because of its experience in enhancing organizational competence for clients, IHRDC has been able to apply the same methodology to building the competency of its professional staff. This showcasing of its own business expertise was one element that helped earn SQA's approval. In the future, IHRDC will expand the qualifications offered to other trained professionals supporting the oil and gas industry.

About IHRDC:

International Human Resources Development Corporation (www.ihrdc.com) has been a global leader in training and competency management for the oil and gas industry for more than 45 years, offering the best Instructional Programs, e-Learning resources, and Competency Management products and services available to the industry today. The company is headquartered in Boston, USA with offices in Houston, London, Amsterdam, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and Lagos.

IHRDC is the proud recipient of the "Petroleum Industry Training Provider of the Year Award" from the Getenergy organization for 2010, 2011, and 2012, the 2011 Platinum AVA Award, and 18 Telly Awards.

About SQA:

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is an international leader in education and training.

SQA is the national awarding body in Scotland - a not for profit government sponsored agency accountable to the Scottish Government - sitting at the heart of Scotland's world-renowned education system.

SQA helps people to realise their potential and to achieve their ambitions by providing a wide range of high quality, internationally recognised qualifications and associated services. We currently offer Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), jointly certificated Customised and vocational qualifications in more than 20 countries worldwide.

We have 100 years of experience in developing qualifications and qualification systems and over 20 years of experience of working internationally in partnership with governments, colleges, universities, schools and industry. We have a growing number of international centres, in countries such as America, Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, Oman, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates.

Our people take great pride in offering exceptional customer service - which is acknowledged by government organisations, universities, businesses and individuals throughout the world.

www.sqa.org.uk/international


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