CEDIFOP news n. 64 - Ottobre 2011 - articolo 115
Cosa sono e cosa rappresentano IDSA e IMCA?
(tratto dal sito dell'IMCA: http://www.imca-int.com/news/press/0419.html )
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I.D.S.A. (International Diving Scools Association)
Founded in 1978 on the initiative of Alan Bax (Fort Bovisand, UK) and Jim Joiner (College of Oceaneering, Los Angeles) the Association brought together the major Diving Schools, world-wide, concerned with the training of Commercial Divers. From the earliest days one of its major concerns has been the need for of an internationally accepted standard for diver training which would improve the quality of divers entering the profession, provide for on-going professional development, and enhance job opportunities beyond national borders. The Association now has 16 Full Member schools, 21 Associate Members, 17 Affiliate Members, 11 Industrial Members and 4 Reciprocal Members.
The regular meetings of members of the Association provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas, not limited by national boundaries and interests. In recent years members have been able to review the qualifications and training programmes already on offer and to bring together their expertise in the planning and teaching of courses. The result of several years of negotiation and planning has been the recent publication of the IDSA Standards and Procedures which, whilst encompassing all national standards at present in existence, provide the basis for courses which meet the needs of industry for trained divers at various levels. It is thus intended that employers worldwide will be assured that a diver with an IDSA card has been properly trained to the stated level, whilst divers can be confident that an IDSA recognised school will provide training necessary to achieve the relevant level of competence.
As part of the on-going development of IDSA standards, all Full Members - who are entitled to award IDSA qualifications - will undergo full audits of their schools within the next three years. New schools, joining the Association are first accepted as Associate Members and must then undergo a full audit before being eligible for full membership.
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I.M.C.A. (International Marine Contractors Association)
IMCA is an international association with well over 750 members in 58 countries, as at January 2011, representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Asia-Pacific, South America, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India and Central & North America regions. As well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training. IMCA seeks to promote its members' common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports. These have been developed over the years and are widely distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document, safety recommendation, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and safety flashes.
Judith Patten is here to help you if you want any additional information on IMCA; would like to discuss a feature article; want to organise interviews with key members of the IMCA team, etc.
