LONDON, May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- OPITO is today announcing its second annual safety and competence conference for the global oil and gas industry. OSCC 2011, which will be held on 22nd of November 2011 in Abu Dhabi, will examine the issues around competence over compliance.

The one day event will focus on how the industry can develop a more competent workforce that significantly improves safety rather than one which simply complies with legislation and best practice.

The keynote speaker for the event, which aims to attract upwards of 300 delegates from around the world, is Lord Cullen, author of the Cullen Report, an outcome of the Piper Alpha tragedy.

He will be joined by a panel of senior industry figures, including Billy Mitchell, global competence assurance manager for Transocean, to debate the issue around achieving real competence in the workforce.

David Doig, OPITO group chief executive, said: "The aim is to build on last year's successful event with a range of high profile speakers and interactive debate on a subject that remains a continual challenge. More than ever our industry has to step up to the challenge of driving a step-change in safety. This will only be achieved if we truly understand competency and how we make our employees competent. This is not about ticking the right boxes but about driving real competence through relevant training and the best industry standards."

OSCC was introduced last year as an annual event to bring operators, contractors and the supply chain together with training organisations to provide a forum for improving standards of safety and competency that protect the workforce and the industry's reputation.

The conference offers the opportunity to contribute to the continual evolution of world-class industry practices and standards.

OPITO International delivers standards to improve workforce safety and competency at a global level with three business units focused on Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and the Americas. The organisation works with Governments, national oil companies, multi-nationals and contractors to meet their skills needs to provide independent advice and guidance on effective management of workforce skills development, emergency response and occupational standards and qualifications and quality assurance of training delivery.

Issued on behalf of OPITO International by The BIG Partnership. For more information contact Zoe Corsi on +44(0)1224-615014 or +44(0)7973983243

SOURCE OPITO International