PDA Now Training Singaporean Certified Divers

The Professional Diving Academy (PDA), Dunoon, Scotland and KBA Training Centre (KBAT) have signed a MOU to train commercial divers in Singapore to the UK HSE offshore diving standard.

Delegates who have successfully completed the nine-week inland/inshore commercial diving training with KBAT can thereafter apply to PDA to attend a bespoke training programme that will fast-track them towards a UK HSE offshore diving qualification.

KBAT said it has been working closely with the PDA to provide the relevant information so that HSE recognition of a prior learning and competence programme would be accepted. Commercial divers who have completed a full KBAT training course can now apply to PDA to attend the shortened HSE Surface Supplied with Top-Up competence assessment programme.

Darren Brunton, managing director of KBAT, said: “The training programme is initially developed with the aim that we have a more competent workforce with safer work systems and procedures for the Singapore Commercial Diving Industry. Because of their excellent reputation, we wanted very much to work with the Professional Diving Academy on this training advancement. We are satisfied that this MOU will allow KBAT trained commercial divers to further their career options with arguably one of the best commercial divers training schools in the world, gaining a highly recognised international offshore commercial divers’ qualification in the process. Ultimately, we seek to provide a training platform where our delegates are able to develop their competencies, thus improving international employment opportunities with these enhanced skills, whilst simultaneously enhancing local commercial diving services and standards.”

Alastair Baird, managing director of PDA, commented: “KBAT are a highly respected training provider within the diving industry, and we are delighted to be working with them. By furthering training and enhancing global employment opportunities for divers graduating from KBAT’s diver training programme, we are proud that we are directly influencing diving safety standards within the region.”