“Finally, we are able to offer this certification in our home region. We are thrilled to welcome the first class of Cetop 2 participants in June”, says Jarl Erik Hageland, Principal at Sørlandet Maritime High School.
Employees at various NODE companies have traditionally travelled to Geilo or other locations to undergo the training program, which comprises 4-6 weeklong courses spread out over a 12-month-period.
“Being able to offer this certification in our region saves NODE companies time and money whilst the participants are offered specially designed courses involving drilling bay products like offshore crane and subsea cranes. Hopefully this will make it easier and more interesting for people to be Cetop 2 certified”, says Hageland.
The first Cetop 2 course commences on June 13 and consists of five school days in Kristiansand. Skilled instructors will guide a maximum of 16 students through theory and lab exercises, whilst the ship MS Sjøkurs will provide lunch to the participants, who will be joining the captain aboard.
Sørlandet Maritime High School has been approved by the Norwegian Hydraulics and Pneumatics Association (HPF) to run the European standard certification program.
”Cetop certification is the mark of a quality education. The program has three levels. 10 Norwegian schools offer Cetop 1. Sørlandets Maritime Kurssenter is one of five schools to offer Cetop 2. No Norwegian schools offer Cetop 3 – the highest level”, says HPF Chairman Morten Gyllensten.
GCE NODE and the University of Agder have played a role in establishing the program in the region. Several NODE companies have provided equipment and expertise. On and Offshore Services, National Oilwell Varco and Wesmans were especially mentioned in the opening ceremony.
“This is an important competency building effort. We congratulate Sørlandet Maritime High School with the approval and look forward to seeing many NODE company employees back at school”, says CEO Anne-Grete Ellingsen at GCE NODE.
