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Operators, contractors, training providers and industry partners came together at OEUK’s Aberdeen office to formally toast the achievement and growth of the industry-led Connected Competence programme.

Connected Competence, enabled by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), was named the winner in the Collaboration category at the 2024 EIC National Awards hosted by Richard E Grant at the Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square, London.

In a new milestone for Connected Competence, clients and employers have agreed to a new measurement tool that will ensure the programme is embedded across their operations.

The ECITB is increasing the funding available to enable temporary workers within the engineering construction industry (ECI) to verify their base level of technical competence as part of the Connected Competence scheme.

Offshore industry leaders came together at a leadership summit in Aberdeen last night to hear how Connected Competence is improving the safety and agility of the workforce and supporting the Just Transition.

Workers in the engineering construction industry are more than aware of the multitude of risks and hazards that surround them in their everyday work. They are also aware that the onus is on each one of them to ensure that they are operating in the safest possible way at all times.

One of the biggest drivers behind Connected Competence is to help avoid workplace incidents across the engineering construction industries. By no means are we saying it’s a cure-all solution, but gaining Connected Competence contributes to a safer working environment for everyone.

Here’s the first in a series of worker stories, where site-based workers just like yourselves share their experience of taking the Connected Competence technical tests.

The Connected Competence scheme now recognises CompEx certification as part of the standardisation and recognition of base technical competence across the engineering construction workforce.  This continues to increase safety standards and efficiency by removing duplication and cost from industry training.

Did you miss the Connected Competence Webinar? Catch up with a recording from the event.

Site shutdowns for maintenance are crucial periods for the industry. Time is of the essence to minimise financial losses while production is suspended. While a well-planned relay of companies shutting down one after the other would be ideal, unfortunately it’s not the reality.

When planes kept flying through recent storms, videos of breathtaking landings flooded the internet. 

As you hear more about Connected Competence, you’ll no doubt have questions that you’d like answered. Here’s a round-up of the most commonly asked ones.

Do you ever get fed up of having to prove your skills – the ones you already have? You’ve been trained in your industry discipline for years now, yet each time you change jobs, you’re asked to provide proof of your skills. Annoying, isn’t it?

Depending on where you are in your career, you may have mixed feelings about Connected Competence. If you’re just starting out, it’ll be part and parcel of your training – but, if you’re a time-served worker, you might be wondering why you need to prove your competence… you’ve been doing the job for years, after all.

A transient workforce is key to project-orientated industries. As supply and demand fluctuates, companies can call in extra workers on limited-time contracts when needed.

The Connected Competence train is well on its way, and more and more people are joining the journey. From young people who are undertaking tests as part of their training, to highly experienced workers, people are realising the benefits of Connected Competence.