Aberdeen Training Simulator Receives OPITO Accreditation

Rubicon Response, a division of Petrofac Training specialising in emergency response and crisis management, has opened a new state-of-the-art emergency management training simulator in Aberdeen.

The Aberdeen simulator has been accredited by OPITO for the assessment of offshore installation managers (OIMs), deputy OIMs, control room operators (CROs) and senior CROs (shift supervisors).  It has also enabled Rubicon Response to help meet industry demand for improved skills by introducing a range of new and enhanced emergency response training courses.

Petrofac Training has been providing Major Emergency Management (MEM) training from accredited simulators in Montrose since 1980, through its specialist safety training division, RGIT Montrose.  Extensive research was undertaken with customers to ensure that the company remained in step with market needs, and the state-of-the-art simulator was developed in Aberdeen, augmenting the company’s two other simulators in Montrose.

The MEM training team is now part of Rubicon Response and a new and enhanced course portfolio in the area of Critical Incident Management Training (CIMT) has been developed, including a brand new course specifically developed for OIMs of normally unmanned installations (NUI), taking into consideration the differences in the skills required.

Petrofac Training’s Scota House in Aberdeen is now home to the simulator and classrooms, delivering a range of courses from within the CIMT portfolio (including MEM) in the heart of the North Sea’s oil capital.

“OPITO accreditation was received a week after completion and we are delighted to be offering our complete suite of courses across our Aberdeen and Montrose locations”, explained Mike Comerford, Managing Director, Rubicon Response.  “We have taken a very innovative approach and in addition to the development on the NUI course, have revised the management of major emergencies course for OIMs.  We have reduced the number of delegates on each four day course to six, giving greater exposure and more activity for each delegate to fulfil the OIM position.

“This is an exciting time for the team,” continued Comerford.  “The development of new courses and industry accreditations aligned with the creation of a state of the art facility in Aberdeen, ensures that we are well placed to meet our customers’ needs in 2006 and beyond.”