BRITISH ACCREDITATION COUNCIL INSPECTION REPORT. INTERIM INSPECTION (College)

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BRITISH ACCREDITATION COUNCIL INSPECTION REPORT INTERIM INSPECTION (College) INSTITUTION: The Underwater Centre ADDRESS: Marine Walk Carmichael Way Fort William

1 BRITISH ACCREDITATION COUNCIL INSPECTION REPORT INTERIM INSPECTION (College) INSTITUTION: The Underwater Centre ADDRESS: Marine Walk Carmichael Way Fort William Inverness-shire PH33 6FF HEAD OF INSTITUTION: Steve Ham Accreditation status: Accredited Date of inspection: 11 December 2015 ACCREDITATION COMMITTEE DECISION AND DATE: 28/01/2016

2 PART A - INTRODUCTION 1. Background to the institution The Underwater Centre caters for the training needs of commercial divers mainly in Closed Bell and ROV Pilot Technician training. ROVs are remote operated vehicles, unmanned submersibles controlled from the surface by skilled pilots. They fall into two categories: inspection vehicles, designed to observe divers; and work class vehicles which operate at levels too deep for divers. The Centre sits on the side of Loch Linnhe, a narrow but substantial tidal inlet from the sea leading to the Caledonian Canal and onto Loch Ness. It is also part of the small town centre, within easy reach of the rail station and the main road to Inverness and south to Glasgow. The Underwater Centre evolved from a government initiative following the serious loss of divers in the North Sea during the oil research and development phase and the opening up of the oil deposits associated with the various fields. In 1975 the UK Government established the Fort William Centre to train divers. It was privatised in the early 1980s and was initially run by Stenmar but in 2003 went into receivership. In 2004, the assets including the pier and the aquarium (now TUC's Ocean Frontier building) were purchased by the Crannog Concept Ltd, the TUC parent. There has been significant investment in site and equipment to bring it up to and maintain it at the required standard. The programme of investment has continued since the last inspection and is reported on below. Demand for training has reduced by around 10%, because the fall in the oil price has slowed the pace of new developments on which divers are engaged. The Centre is now looking to diversify its market by geography (Mexico, Singapore and China and a strengthening of the hub in Tasmania); services e.g. nuclear industry and also mode of learning. There has been further development of distance learning and while currently it serves as a support to face to face training, selling as a separate service is under consideration. 2. Brief description of the current provision As at the time of the last inspection, the training provision fell into two parts: diving and ROV. The diving is accredited by HSE and is at level 3. The ROV training, together with electrical and engineering courses associated with ROV, are accredited by SQA and are at level 5/6 in the SCQF. The training programmes range from one week to their premium package course of 13 weeks. The Centre has enrolled 402 students in the last year, of whom 208 were from the UK, 116 from other EU and 77 non-eu. The students are majority male. As noted above, this represents a slight fall on numbers in the previous year. Students generally have to find their own funding. 3. Inspection process The inspection was conducted over half a day by one inspector. A meeting was held with the Commercial Manager, who also provided a tour of the premises. There were informal discussions with a range of staff. Documentation was provided on request. 2

3 4. Inspection history Full inspection: 18 to 21 August 2009 Supplementary inspection: 16 September 2009 Interim inspection: 5 August 2010 Full inspection: 8 to 10 October

4 PART B JUDGEMENTS AND EVIDENCE The following judgements and comments are based upon evidence seen by the inspector during the inspection and from documentation provided by the institution. 1. Significant changes since the last inspection Accommodation has been expanded, through a loft conversion, to increase HR office space and provide private meeting rooms and hot desks for instructors. A state of the art electronics workshop for Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) courses has been created. There is now also a dirty workshop for hydraulics assembly and disassembly. The Centre now provides training in ROV work class (vehicles which can operate where too deep for divers) as well as ROV inspection (use of ROVs for observation of divers). The Centre now has two new vessels, including one for ROV work class. In collaboration with HSE, new training has been developed in bolt tensioning (to ensure compliance with commercial regulations and keep in line with best practice). 2. Response to actions points in last report 2.1 Consideration must be given to peer observation across all teaching disciplines. A system of peer observation has been initiated, with reports filed with HR. It appears that the scheme is being accepted by staff and leading to constructive discussions on good training practice. 2.2 A wider introduction for students, incorporating other parts of the TUC buildings and some knowledge of other courses, should be introduced. A more detailed induction procedure has been developed and includes informing students about other courses. The induction is now comprehensive in scope and meets the recommendation. 2.3 The BAC complaints procedure must be stated in the Student Handbook and during the induction. This has now been implemented. 2.4 All visitors entering or working within TUC establishment must be briefed on health and safety matters and it is suggested that visitors sign that they have been briefed. This recommendation has been considered but not yet acted upon. A short film is to be produced which will be shown to all visitors on arrival (or at least on entry to the working areas). Recommendations for improvement 2.5 Staff records should have a CV for each member of staff which is current and of a standard type where possible. HR now holds CVs for all members of staff. 4

5 2.6 The current student attendance records should, with the new computer systems, be adapted to accept the records directly, rather than the current partially hand written records. This has been implemented to the extent feasible but manual diving logs must still be maintained. 2.7 As part of the trainers continuing professional development, one or more trainers (for the whole training establishment to obtain benefit) should attend a short teachers' training course in order to gain the latest perspective on training techniques. There is now a permanent staff member with a further teaching background (and qualification) who, among his other duties, provides support to colleagues on best training practice. 2.8 A designated Student Welfare officer should be appointed. The Hospitality Manager s job description has been expanded to include nine specific responsibilities related to student welfare. 3. Compliance with BAC accreditation requirements spot check 3.1 Management, Staffing and Administration 3.2 Teaching, Learning and Assessment 3.3 Student Welfare Has been further strengthened by designating a member of staff to take some specific responsibilities. 3.4 Premises and Facilities The premises have been improved and further investment made in equipment as noted above. 5

6 PART C SUMMARY OF STRENGTHS AND ACTION POINTS Institution s strengths The Centre is well managed, very well equipped and maintains high technical standards. It has made effective moves to strengthen the quality of training through peer review and support. It is responding flexibly to current market challenges. Actions required The plan to produce a short health and safety video for visitors must be implemented. H Priority H/M/L COMPLIANCE WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS Declaration of compliance has been signed and dated. YES Further comments, if applicable 6

Diver The Work

Diver The Work Diver Divers carry out a range of tasks underwater, either inshore (such as rivers or lochs) or offshore (sea and ocean), depending on the type of diving and what industry they work in. This could include