News

As our annual workshop fast approaches we are pleased to announce that the agenda for the event has been released.

IWCF are delighted the secure eAssessment solution, FORUM HUB, developed by eCom, was the winning entry in the innovation category at the eAssessment Association’s 2019 annual awards.

eCom had to take into consideration that we are a global organisation with over 260 accredited training centres, spanning 54 countries.  This eAssessment solution gives training centres that operate in remote locations, with internet connectivity issues, the ability to offer the same secure ‘online’ assessment experience offline.

With FORUM HUB, remote centres can use pre-programmed Raspberry Pi device to download and upload assessments from a secure online link, for use at their centres.  Assessments are then automatically marked, with results issued to the candidates once the scripts are uploaded back into the centre FORUM database.

FORUM, based on eNetAssess™, eCom’s flexible online assessment system, customised for IWCF, facilitated the move from paper-based exams to online assessment (eAssessment).  This has delivered significant benefits to our organisation, centres and candidates, such as instant marking, cost reductions, instant resits and results as well as increased flexibility.

CEO Antony Quin said “We Knew digitising our processes was key to transforming our business.  FORUM enabled delivery of eAssessment at most of our centres and now, thanks to FORUM HUB, all our centres can be now offer eAssessment. Because of this, we’ve been able to improve quality and delivery of our assessments on a global scale.”

Commenting on the delivery of FORUM HUB, eCom Group CEO, Linda Steedman said “We’re delighted to be working with IWCF, putting the platform for innovative scalable eAssessment in place to support and enhance their business.  Winning the eAssessment Association’s innovation awards is great recognition that we’re setting the standards in the eAssessment industry.”

REGISTER NOW!

As part of our mission to provide competency assurance and continuous development globally, we invite our members to join us at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Well Control Workshop.

Taking place at the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel in Malaysia on 29-30 October 2019, our interactive members event will be your opportunity to let your voice be heard as we discuss key well control topics.

Topics will include:

• Human factors
• Enhanced well control
• Well Intervention Pressure Control updates including practical assessments
• Specialist modules
• Continuous learning
• Assessor and instructor competency

The full agenda will be made available shortly.

All current members will receive free delegate passes to attend the event. Places are limited so register your attendance today by clicking here.  If you are not a member of IWCF but would like to attend the event, contact us for more information.

Please contact us if you have any questions about the event.

Are you looking for a new opportunity where you can really make a difference?

We have an exciting opportunity to shape and lead our new project management function. We are looking for an experienced individual who will be responsible for delivering our extensive project management workbook, including projects to deliver the Board’s strategic agenda.

Projects will relate to IT systems, efficiency and quality improvement and a range of operations activities. We are a leading training provider to the oil and gas industry, however technical engineering or sector specific knowledge is not a requirement for this role.

We are looking for an experienced project manager confident to deliver a concurrent and diverse portfolio of projects.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Leading the implementation of Board projects and initiatives to implement the organisation’s project strategy
• Defining and implementing project management standards, processes and procedures ensuring they are followed across the organisation
• Actively project managing approved projects delivering to time and budget
• Managing and coaching the Project Supervisor, developing their project management skills
• Introducing project reporting protocols to track progress across multiple platforms and ensure delivery within time and budget
• Designing and implementing processes for UAT, ensuring all issues are managed, tracked and resolved
• Creating a suite of project communications for all levels within the organisation including the Board
• Maintaining the project workbook, ensuring all projects are recorded and maintained
• Identifying, appointing and managing external project consultants in line with procurement processes
• Introducing formal project management approaches such as Six Sigma, Agile or Prince and design and deliver training as required
• Managing budget planning for the year ahead
• Overseeing project data analysis including extracting data from Report Designer as required
• Designing and delivering project management training as required.

You will be an experienced project manager ideally with a professional project qualification such as Agile, Prince2, Lean, Six Sigma or similar. You will have proven experience of delivering end to end projects to time and budget. You will have proven leadership skills and have experience of coaching and mentoring others in good project management practices, developing project processes, documentation and systems and designing and delivering training. You will ideally have experience of undertaking project analysis and designing and delivering reports to demonstrate project status and performance.

You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, have exceptional interpersonal skills and a proven track record in people, stakeholder and relationship management. Experience of managing third party contractors would be beneficial. You will be a team player, able to work to high standards and on your own initiative. Experience of project budgeting would also be an advantage.

Whilst we are a leading provider of Industry leading training to the Oil and Gas industry you may have worked in any industry or sector.

You will be located within a reasonable commuting distance of our office in Montrose and be willing to travel if required.

If you are looking for a new challenge and to make a difference we look forward to receiving your application.

How to apply: 

We ask that you submit a cover letter explaining why you are interested in IWCF and this role, along with your CV to hr@iwcf.org by Friday 2nd August 2019.

As part of our mission to provide competency assurance and continuous development globally, we invite you to save the date for our AGM and Well Control Workshop.

Taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 29-30 October 2019, our interactive members event will be your opportunity to let your voice be heard as we discuss key well control topics.

A short survey has been sent out to our members so that you can let us know which topics and themes are most important to you.

Add the dates to your diary today, with more registration information to follow soon.

Please contact us at workshop@iwcf.org if you have any questions.

We are looking for Technical Consultants to support the development of the technical content of IWCF’s core programmes, syllabi and assessments. Applicants must have more than 15 years operational industry experience in either drilling or well control, have at least a BSc or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject and have achieved an IWCF Level 4 qualification.

Business Division: IWCF Operations LTD

Location: Montrose, United Kingdom

Line Manager: CEO

Line Management Responsibility for: N/A

Authority: N/A

Role Summary: Technical Consultant

Role Description

Reporting to the IWCF CEO, this role is part of a team of technical specialists who will support the administration to deliver the technical aspects of IWCF’s operational and strategic goals.

The role of the Technical Consultant is to review, improve and monitor the technical content of IWCF’s core programmes, syllabi and assessments and to develop new programmes and projects as directed by the IWCF Board.

This role is considered to be important in influencing and supporting initiatives to enable continuous improvement in technical training standards through such areas as enhancements to accreditation, examination and certification standards.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Actively promote IWCF ethical and integrity standards
• Review IWCF Question Bank, drafting new or revised questions as required
• Undertake audits of the IWCF Question Bank as requested, utilising and complying with the IWCF audit process
• Provide technical guidance and support to respond to candidate feedback
• Actively support continuous improvement of technical documentation
• Support continuous improvements/developments of practical assessments to deliver Board approved projects
• Support technical projects as required/directed
• Create technical frameworks associated with programme development
• Provide technical support to improve our Audit and Accreditation programmes
• Chair technical topic discussions within IWCF Taskforces
• Act as a technical authority to the CEO/Administration and provide general technical advise and guidance as requested

This job description reflects the current requirements of the post.  As duties and responsibilities change and develop due to changes in organisational and other circumstances, so the actual duties and responsibilities will vary from the particulars of this job description.

How to Apply

Click here to download the full role profile including person specification which details the experience, skills/personal requirements, behaviours and knowledge requirements for the role. For an application form or if you have any questions, please contact HR@IWCF.org.

IWCF are preparing to transition all centres to a fully integrated digital assessment solution.

There are three digital assessment options available – online, USB and HUB. These options will be available on PC, laptop, iPad and Android tablet devices.

The digital assessment solution will be rolled out to all centres regionally between 1st October 2018 and 31st March 2019.

We understand this is a significant change for our accredited centres and we are committed to working closely with our centres to help prepare for this transition. We have created a digital assessment solution information pack to explain the process and options available. To request a copy of this pack please contact us.

We have a dedicated team of Account Coordinators who can answer any questions you may have on the digital assessment solution. Visit our contact page for information on how to get in touch.

A new training initiative to help prevent oil and gas incidents by focusing on human behaviours has been launched free to industry by the International Well Control Forum (IWCF).

Experts in human factors and strategic leadership developed the online training course with IWCF, the independent, not-for-profit organisation which sets international training standards for well control.

Research findings for the creation of the Well Operations Crew Resource Management (WOCRM) awareness course show that better understanding of leadership, situational awareness and decision making can reduce the impact of human factors on major well incidents, such as Macondo.

The pioneering move by IWCF means that for the first time ever well operations crews can boost their knowledge of non-technical skills, including communication and teamwork, using one internationally available resource.

Course participants will also learn how to look out for warning signs of stress and fatigue in themselves and colleagues, which can affect performance in potentially dangerous work environments.

Antony Quin, Chief Executive Officer, IWCF, said: “Major incidents make everyone in industry sit up and take notice. Macondo was a prime example and strong prevention measures have been implemented since. Blowouts have continued at a high rate since the 2010 incident, so more needs to be done.

“The launch of this free awareness training means well control crews working anywhere in the world will have consistent, expert guided knowledge. We’re urging widespread uptake through our network of training centres and look forward to feedback.”

Dr Rhona Flin, a professor of industrial psychology, who has researched human performance in high risk industries, contributed to the course, she said: “This is a valuable resource for the industry as we know that non-technical skills are key for maintaining safety and efficiency in well operations. This training package helps to build a basic understanding of these skills and explains why they are so important.

“It’s vital that workers at all levels have the confidence to speak up about safety and increased knowledge can empower them to do so when they consider risk levels to be unacceptable.”

Well operations crews can access the free course online and complete the modules in their own time. Those with a pass mark of 70% or above receive an electronic certificate.

IWCF has offered the WOCRM to its 280 accredited training centres worldwide as an additional resource for candidates, following the success of the Level-1 Well Control Awareness Course, which has so far attracted 34,000 people.

Candidates with questions about the course can visit www.iwcf.org/programmes/wocrm or contact wocrm@iwcf.org for support.

IWCF are pleased to release the updated Well Intervention Pressure Control syllabi.

We have created this revised syllabus using guidance from a variety of sources, including our stakeholders, candidates, and Well Intervention Pressure Control Taskforce.

Together with the enhancements listed below, this revised syllabus aims to meet the principles outlined in IOGP Report 476 Recommendations for enhancements to well control training, examination and certification (August 2016) as a minimum.

The main enhancements contained within this revision provide:

• An improved structure that avoids duplication of topics in different syllabus components
• In-depth learning outcomes to cover previously identified gaps in candidate knowledge
• Defined progression between the levels, which ensures learning outcomes are now role-specific
• An increased emphasis on well integrity assurance during the well life cycle with reference to ISO 16530-1:2017 Petroleum and natural gas industries — Well integrity — Part 1: Life cycle governance
• An improved focus on the common principles of Pressure Control Equipment (PCE), which is now consolidated within the Completion Operations component.

All primary centres that deliver Well Intervention Pressure Control training courses must resubmit updated course materials to reflect the changes to the syllabi, and all training centres must teach the new syllabi from 1st April 2019.

The Programme Accreditation Application and Cross Reference Forms must be completed and returned with the course materials. These are available to download from the Members Login Area.

You can view the new syllabi on the website here. If you have any questions, please contact us.

The International Well Control Forum (IWCF) will issue all certificates online, creating significant savings for training providers and greater overall assurance in the oil and gas industry.

IWCF – the independent, not-for-profit organisation, which sets international training standards for well control – introduced eCerts to offer significant benefits to users including improved quality and delivery of certificates, while combating instances of fraud.

Combined with the fully integrated digital assessment solution the IWCF eCerts bring the entire process online.

Industry feedback has also led to the introduction of a new optional grading descriptor system. This will create transparency on the level of pass, with ‘Pass with Merit’ awarded for 80-89% and ‘Pass with Distinction’ awarded for 90-100%.

The digital assessment solution will allow candidates to take online assessments using an internet connection or offline, with connectivity only required to initiate the schedule and upload the results. This will significantly improve the customer experience with increased booking flexibility, the ability for instant re-sits, and much faster delivery times for eCerts.

Antony Quin, Chief Executive Officer of IWCF, said: “We’ve been driving this change in certification over the last 18 months. It will greatly benefit candidates, employers and training providers by making our certification process more streamlined and efficient. This is important to our members so we’re pleased to have reached this milestone.

“The IWCF eCerts cannot be replicated or copied due to in-built meta-data security measures, which means qualifications can be traced back to their origin. Although fraud isn’t common, it can happen. This introduction makes it easier for all employers to confirm that eCerts are genuine.”

IWCF’s online administration platform, FORUM, which is used for candidate registrations and schedule bookings, is central to the new certifications. Using Mozilla’s Open Badges network, successful candidates will be awarded a digital badge, which can be shared on social media to celebrate their achievement.

The introduction of eCerts comes as IWCF celebrates a record breaking number of candidates in March 2018, with figures up 25% against 2017.