Demonstrating Competence in the Process Industries

Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield

Wednesday 7th June 2006

How do you demonstrate competence in your operation?

Competence is defined as the ability to undertake responsibilities and to perform activities to a recognised standard on a regular basis. Competence is a combination of practical and thinking skills, experience and knowledge….

(From; Developing and maintaining staff competence. HSE (2002), ISBN 0 7176 17327)

Whilst ‘Competence’ is critical to operational safety and a key concern to the HSE (from Flixborough to Buncefield), the need for a competent workforce embraces many other areas and many other Regulatory bodies - the Environment Agency, the FDA, MHRA to name but a few - it affects the quality of our products, the efficiency of our processes and, ultimately, whether or not we survive in business.

This workshop looks at the importance of competency in the workplace and addresses questions such as - how do I assess competence within my operation?…..is there such a thing as unconscious competence?(remember the Hertzberg journey from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence!)…where do I start?

NEPIC, together with COGENT, have been running a project reviewing how companies in our various sectors (base chemicals, biotechnology, pharma and specialities) address the topic of competence.

This workshop will;-

• present our findings on competence assurance in a range of sectors
• show example of good and best practice throughout the industry
• launch a competence assurance framework, including a web based model with access to a range of guidance tools and information
• review approaches to competence in other regions

The initial demand for this work was strongly industry led and a number of local Companies have already been directly involved in the project  - giving us the basis of a competency framework which could well become an industry standard.

This provides a great opportunity for networking around one of the most important topics of the day. People who should attend include operations and laboratory managers, engineers, safety and regulatory specialists…anyone with a responsibility for demonstrating competence in the workplace.

Agenda

15.00             Registration and coffee

15.30              Welcome and introduction                                                                          Stan Higgins CEO, NEPIC

15.45              The status of Competence assurance in the NE process industry         Walter Williamson, COGENT

16.15              The NEPIC / Cogent Competence framework                                         Ian Findley, NEPIC

16.45             Break

17.00              The Regulatory view                                                                                     Keith Partington, HSE

17.30              The CATCH model, Humberside                                                                Glyn Hughes, Humber Chemical Focus

18.00              Next steps and roll out                                                                                  Iain Taylor, NEPIC

18.15              Exhibition, networking & buffet

Don’t miss this special event and register with [email protected] or call Michelle on (01642) 443630. On registration you will be invoiced for your attendance and this will be non-refundable.

Registration fees are £25 plus vat for members £100 plus VAT for non - members. Exhibitors including one attendee £100 members and non members £500.

For further information, please click here