1 Introduction
1.1 Theseguidelinesareintendedfornationaladministrationsoragenciesresponsibleforthe implementation of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and
Co-operation,1990(OPRC)andinparticular,forco-ordinatingoilpollutionresponseatalllevels.
1.2 Theguidelineshavebeenpreparedtoassistintheaccreditationand/orapprovalofeducation institutionsand/orprovidersoftheIMOOPRCModelTrainingCourses.Theguidelinesprovidean overviewofissuesandkeyelementsnecessarytoassesstrainingprovidersintermsofminimum standards of delivery, experience of personnel and facilities necessary to deliver such courses.
2 Background
2.1 TheInternationalConventiononOilPollutionPreparedness,ResponseandCo-operation, adoptedatIMOon30November1990,providesaglobalframeworkforinternationalco-operation
incombatingincidentsorthreatsofmarinepollutioninvolving,inparticular,ships,offshoreunits, seaportsandoilhandlingfacilities. Itenteredintoforceon13May1995andatthetimeofwriting
(April2005),85StateswerePartytotheConvention,representingsome64%oftheworldmerchant tonnage.
2.2 ImplementationofOPRCtraining-relatedissuesarereferredtoinArticle6,whereParties undertaketoestablishprogrammestotrainrelevantpersonnelinoilspillpreparednessandresponse.
In Article 9, the OPRC also calls for the IMO, along with relevant international, regional organizations,oilandshippingindustriestodevelopacomprehensivetrainingprograminthefieldof
oilpollutionpreparednessandresponse,includingtheavailabilityofexpertiseforthedevelopment andimplementationoftrainingprograms.Inthisregard,IMO'sIntegratedTechnicalCo-operation ProgrammehasfundedthedevelopmentanddeliveryofasuiteofOPRCModelTrainingCourses.
3 The OPRC Model Training Courses
3.1 The IMO has developed four levels of response training. These are:
· OPRC Introductory Level
· OPRC Level 1 - First Responder
· OPRC Level 2 - Supervisors and On-Scene Commanders
· OPRC Level 3 - Administrators and Senior Executives
3.2 TheobjectiveoftheIntroductorycourseistoprovideanoverviewofthemainsourcesofoil releasedtothemarineenvironmentandtheirrelativeimportanceandtheprincipalcausesofmarine
oilspills.Itisaimedatpersonnellikelytobeassociatedwith,ordirectlyinvolvedinaresponsetoan
oilspillincident.Levels1and2aredesignedforthespecificgroup(s)withincreasingresponsibility
atthesceneoftheincident. Themaincharacteristicsofstaffdesignatedasfirstrespondersarethat theyareabletomanageandleadasmallergroupofrespondersandthosethathavebasictechnical and communication skills. Level 2 staff are equipped to co-ordinate and manage the response includinginputfromotherorganizationsandcanmakedecisionsonresponsestrategiesandtacticsto
beusedintheclean-up.Level3isdesignedforhighlevelofficersandexecutivesandincludes
handling media issues.
ResponsibilitiesofGovernmentswithregardtonationallyapprovedoraccreditedtraining organizations and experts
3.3 At meetings of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, the Committee has recommendedthatMemberGovernmentsofficiallyapproveoraccreditprovidersofOPRCModel TrainingCoursestoensurethattheyrelyonthecontentoftheTrainingCoursesandhavethe personnel with appropriate experience to deliver such courses.
3.4 Additionally,MemberGovernmentshavebeeninvitedtonotifytheSecretariatofthenames andcontactdetailsofnationallyapprovedoraccreditedtrainingorganizationsandexpertsandany subsequentchanges,inorderthattheIMOSecretariatmaykeepanuptodaterosterofsuchexperts andtrainingorganizationswhichmaybeusedinteraliaforassistingtheOrganizationinthedelivery
of training courses in developing countries as part of its Integrated Technical Co-operation
Programme.
4 Accreditation/Approval Process and Information
4.1 AMemberGovernmentsettingouttoapproveoraccreditaparticularproviderofIMO OPRCModelTrainingCourseswillneedtodevelopandapplyastandardapproachorprocessto ensure that each potential provider is treated equitably.
4.2 It is therefore advisable that Member Governments define and publish:
.1 how a provider must apply for approval or accreditation;
.2 who must be contacted;
.3 the timelines associated with the approval process; and
.4 how much it will cost.
4.3 Itisalsoadvisabletoindicatewhetherthedecisiononapprovalwillbefinalorcanaprovider improveitsshortcomings.Additionally,itisimportanttoindicatehowlonganapprovalisvalidand whether accreditation will need to be reassessed once approved.
4.4 Toenableathoroughassessment,thefollowinginformationshouldbeobtainedfromthe provider:
.1 promotional material for the course(s);
.2 content of proposed Level(s), overview of practical work and assessments;
.3 backgroundandexpertiseofthepresenters/speakersorinstructors(someinstructors may need to be interviewed); and
.4 information regarding the venue, facilities, times, duration and costs.
5 Criteria for assessing providers
5.1 Thissectionsetsoutthecriteriaagainstwhichaproviderwouldbeassessed. Thecontentof
theIMOOPRCModelTrainingCourseshouldbestudiedcarefullybeforecomparingthetraining provider material.
5.2 Criteria for assessing a provider include:
.1 Extent of and availability of promotional material, advertising and pre-course information or documentation.
.2 Qualityandaccuracyofstatementsoncourseaimsandobjectives(includingteaching approach).
.3 Qualityofstatementsonadmissionprocedures(clarityofenrolmentformsandother documentation).
.4 Quality and extent oftopics, syllabus content, course structure and procedures.
.5 Qualityofparticipantassessmentprocedurestoobtainfeedbacktoimproveoverall level of delivery.
.6 Quality of course administration, staff and facilities.
.7 Methodofdeliveryofthetraining,includingthenumberandqualityofeducational aids, interactive or real-time exercises and group/individual activities.
.8 Extentandfollow-upofcourseevaluationbyparticipants,methodsofdealingwith complaints.
.9 Extentandqualityofsponsorshiporsupportbyexternalsources(e.g. industryor other Governments, organizations or agencies).
.10 Issuance of course certificates.
6 Accreditation Reports
6.1 Onceanapprovalisgranteditisadvisabletoprepareareportprovidingaccreditationor approvaland/orsubsequentfollow-upprocedureswhichaprovider mayneedtofollowtoachieve accreditation. Accreditation validity should be limited and renewal procedures set out.
6.2 Eachcriterialistedinsection5aboveshouldbeassessedagainstaspecificlevelthatmustbe met in order for a provider to be accredited.
6.3 Lowerlevelsofachievementshouldbeaccompaniedbyrecommendationsforimprovement and timelines within which reassessment could take place.
6.4 Theperiodofaccreditationand(inter)nationalrecognitionshouldalsobesetoutinthe report.