A diver training centre is rolling out top calibre training worldwide due to the worrying number of people killed on the job.
The Underwater Centre has been teaching the highest standards of safety to those who work at depth for 40 years.
But until now divers were restricted to working in the waters within their certification boundaries.
However they will be able to work around the world, on a range of jobs and for different companies thanks to an International Training Establishment (ITE) Partnership scheme.
The ITE Partnership scheme works by allowing existing diver training establishments to partner with the Underwater Centre, in Tasmania, the island off Australia.
It has a unique agreement in place with the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme allowing it to deliver accredited training outside of the country.
And it has netted its first partner with Singapore’s SSE Training Centre.
Steve Ham, commercial director of The Underwater Centre, said the move was much needed.
He said: “There are huge opportunities in commercial diving around the world, but also risks – which is a dangerous combination.
“In many countries, too many divers are dying because of insufficient training.
“Partly this is down to cost, but largely the barrier is having to travel to get the best standard of instruction, which is often unfeasible. We’re removing that barrier with the ITE scheme, just as the market needs it most.”
Mr Ham added: “The oil and gas industry is just picking up from the bottom of its cycle and more projects are coming online; the offshore wind industry is taking off and decommissioning ageing oil and gas assets will need a lot of divers too.
“There are busier times ahead for the sector in the near future, and the ITE scheme will help divers around the world be part of that while maintaining the highest standards of safety.”
All potential partners are fully audited by The Underwater Centre, who also have a base in Fort William, Scotland, to ensure high standards.
By training this way, divers benefit from greatly increased safety, as well as an internationally recognised qualification that boosts their earning potential and opens career paths around the world.
Companies employing the divers can also be assured of greater worker safety and efficiency and they can bid for a broader array of projects internationally.
