Atlas has opened its first centre in Iraq that offers its global training initiative IMIST for the oil and gas industry.
The Al Delma facility in Basra City will be the home of Atlas new training centre and will be capable of delivering the programme to up to 250 people every day.
First to gain approval
Bilal Mahmood, CEO of Al Delma said: "Long-term underinvestment in the development of our oil and gas personnel has meant considerable training is needed if we are to accomplish the goal of a safe and skilled workforce for the future. We are delighted to be the first to gain approval to deliver this new international training and be a model to others in the country."
Developed by global oil and gas training standards body OPITO International, IMIST brings for the first time a standardised level of basic safety training to an estimated 1.5million oil and gas workers worldwide.
Training in nine areas
The training assesses basic safety knowledge in nine subject areas including risk assessment, asset integrity, the use of hazardous substances, working at height and mechanical lifting among other subjects. IMIST online, which was launched in the Middle East in July 2011, is delivered in partnership with Atlas via approved invigilation centres only.
Accepted all over the world
By gaining Atlas approval to deliver the course, workers using the Al Delma centre will have their IMIST training accepted by employers all over the world. It will also reduce the burden of training costs for companies with both new entrants and experienced workers able to undergo a full range of mandatory and voluntary health and safety courses under one roof.
Significant step forward
Atlas chief executive John Rowley said: "This is a significant step forward for the oil and gas workforce in Iraq in terms of creating a safe, sustainable and profitable oil and gas industry for the country."
