Who is Cogent and What is their Role ?

Cogent was previously known as OPITO (Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation). OPITO standards are owned by he industry.

Cogent put the industry's policy into a properly formatted Training Standard,, approve Training Providers to carry out the training (as per the requirements of the standard) and audit the Training Providers. (Cogent is custodian, has the responsibility to industry to maintain, develop and update these standards).

How are the Training Standards Developed and Who Governs Onboard Ongoing Training for ERRV Crews ?

Training Standards have been developed using a national competence model. This involved the analysis of functions required to handle an emergency offshore from which Statements of Competence were developed. These statements specify what personnel care required to do in an emergency.

Using the competence based process, the following were identified and developed :
• What crew members were expected to do
• The knowledge and skills they would require to enable them to do what was expected of them
• How they could demonstrate what was expected of them
• How their performance would be assessed

Using the identified knowledge and skills, the content of the Ongoing Onboard Development and Training Programme, for distance learning offshore
was developed. This competence approach has ensured the content is relevant with the benefits being focused and effective development and training,

What is the Role of the Training Providers ?

The Training Providers are industry based training organisations approved by Cogent to carry out the training as per the requirements of the Training Standard. The role of the Training Providers is to ensure high standards of training that meet all levels of competencies required for the work being undertaken within the Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel industry, with specific responsibility to ensure training meets the appropriate accreditation standard as laid down by UKOOA, MCA and the HSE.