Knowing how to run a facility on paper and being able to do it safely under real conditions are two different things, and the gap between them is exactly what competency assurance is meant to close. This course focuses on the practical mechanics of proving operator and technical capability: structured training pathways, simulation-based assessment, certification, and the documentation needed to demonstrate readiness before a new or modified facility starts up.

Delivered as part of Arab British Fellowship Training Academy’s Operations Readiness and Assurance Training courses, within the Engineering maintenance and operation category, participants design training programmes, run competency assessments, and build the certification and re-certification systems that keep a workforce demonstrably capable throughout operations.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between competency, qualification, and experience, and understand why all three matter for operational readiness.
• Design role-specific training pathways, combining classroom, practical, and on-the-job learning.
• Use simulations and scenario-based training to verify decision-making under normal and abnormal conditions.
• Develop competency-based SOPs and link procedures directly to training and assessment.
• Conduct structured competency assessments, gap analyses, and practical evaluations.
• Establish certification and re-certification processes, including authorisation for critical tasks.
• Maintain accurate competency records and verify workforce readiness against operational requirements.
• Manage competency risks during the transition from commissioning to steady-state operations.
• Support a safe, reliable handover from project execution to operations through demonstrated competence.
• Build continuous competency improvement into day-to-day operations.

Who Should Attend

• Training and competency managers.
• Competency assurance specialists.
• Operations readiness and assurance professionals.
• Plant operators and technical staff.
• Operations and maintenance managers.
• Operations supervisors and team leaders.
• HR and learning and development professionals.
• Commissioning and startup personnel.
• Project managers involved in facility startup.
• HSE and process safety professionals.

Module 1: Competency, Qualification and Experience, Why the Difference Matters

• Principles and objectives of competency assurance.
• Competency versus qualification and experience.
• Role-based competency requirements and workforce readiness risk.

Module 2: Planning Workforce Readiness

• Workforce readiness strategies and identifying critical roles.
• Training needs analysis.
• Competency requirements for new and modified facilities.

Module 3: Building the Competency Framework

• Developing competency matrices and role profiles.
• Defining knowledge, skills, behaviours and performance standards.
• Critical task identification and linking competencies to responsibilities.

Module 4: Designing Operator Training That Works

• Designing effective operator training programmes and learning pathways.
• Classroom, practical and workplace learning.
• Structured on-the-job training, coaching and mentoring.

Module 5: Simulation and Scenario-Based Verification

• Using simulations for operational readiness.
• Scenario-based training and emergency/abnormal scenarios.
• Practical demonstrations and assessing decision-making.

Module 6: Competency-Based SOPs

• Developing competency-based SOPs and linking procedures to training.
• Critical operating procedures.
• Verification of procedural competence.

Module 7: Assessing and Closing Competency Gaps

• Competency assessment methods, knowledge testing and practical evaluation.
• Identifying competency gaps at individual and team level.
• Corrective training and development plans.

Module 8: Certification and Re-Certification

• Certification requirements, processes and sign-off systems.
• Authorisation to perform critical tasks.
• Re-certification, periodic reassessment and record-keeping.

Module 9: Competency Assurance From Startup to Steady State

• Workforce readiness verification and shift team readiness.
• Competency assurance during commissioning and startup.
• Monitoring performance, managing risk, and continuous competency improvement.