Competence Management System
A fully structured digital Competence Management System (CMS) built in line with the IMCA Competence Assurance and Assessment framework for the Diving Division. This system reflects IMCA C003 Rev.3.3 (2025), IMCA C001 Rev.3.2 (2024), and IMCA Info Note No.1022 (2010).
What This CMS Contains
Policies & Procedures (P01–P08)
Eight documented policies covering scope, roles and responsibilities, assessment standards, evidence and documentation, validity and reassessment, transferability, appeals and training.
Trained Assessors & Verifiers
Full definitions, responsibilities and training requirements for Assessors and Verifiers as defined in IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.1.1 and §4.1.2. Verifier must always be a different person from the assessor.
Structured Assessment Process
Six-step assessment and verification process covering entry criteria verification, assessment planning, candidate evidence gathering, workplace assessment, independent verification and recording.
12 Safety-Critical Job Roles
All twelve diving roles as defined in IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3: D01–D12. Each role has full entry level qualifications (Assurance Table) and competence units (Assessment Table) with Knowledge, Ability and Demonstration columns.
Standardised Assessment Plans
Role-specific assessment plans for all 12 roles showing every competence unit with exact Knowledge, Ability and Demonstration requirements from the IMCA C003 Assessment Tables. Selectable by role.
Evidence Upload
Digital document upload for candidates. Fourteen evidence types aligned to IMCA C001 direct and indirect assessment methods. Accepted: PDF, Word, JPG, PNG (max 20 MB).
Downloadable Reports
Six report types: Full Portfolio, Assessment Data CSV, Progress Summary, Evidence Register, Certificate of Competence and Transferability Report. All live and updated from current data.
Transferability Matrix
Recognition of competence between contractors per IMCA Info Note 1022. Covers six scenarios with recommended actions and reassessment requirements, managed through management of change process.
Policies & Procedures
The following policies govern the DIVCAAS competence management scheme in accordance with IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 (May 2024) and IMCA Info Note 1022 (July 2010).
Trained Assessors & Verifiers
Full definitions, responsibilities and training requirements as defined in IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.1.1 (Assessor) and §4.1.2 (Verifier). All text sourced verbatim from the document.
Key requirement from IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.1.2: "To afford a level of auditable credibility it is important that the verifier is a different person from the assessor on each occasion."
Structured Assessment & Verification Process
Six-step process built from IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.2 (assessment and verification process) and IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 §2.4–§2.5 (assurance and assessment tables). Every step is sourced directly from the documents.
From IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4: "An integral element of a CAS — also known as a Competence Management System (CMS) — should be workplace assessments carried out by appropriately trained and experienced assessors. In addition, to ensure the consistency and fairness of the assessments, a company should have in place a verification process to assure the assessments undertaken."
Assessment Methods — IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.2.1
| Method Type | Method | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Methods | ||
| Direct | Observation | On-the-job observation of the candidate performing tasks. In most cases this is the primary assessment method per IMCA C001 §4.1.1. |
| Direct | Questioning | Oral or written questioning to assess knowledge components of competence units. |
| Direct | Discussion | Structured discussion with the candidate about their approach to tasks and understanding of procedures. |
| Direct | Simulation | Simulated scenarios, including emergency drills. Satisfactory completion of drills required for all emergency units per IMCA C003. |
| Indirect Methods | ||
| Indirect | Witness Testimony | Written testimony from a colleague, supervisor or client confirming observed competence. |
| Indirect | Work Products / Records | Examination of work records, logbooks, end of trip reports, and documented in-service experience. |
| Indirect | Candidate Reports | Self-assessment reports and candidate testimony documenting competence achieved. |
| Indirect | RPL / Professional Qualification | Recognised prior learning or professional qualification. Used for entry criteria verification against IMCA C003 Assurance Tables. |
Assessment Decision Outcomes — IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.2.2
Competent
The candidate has demonstrated the required knowledge, ability and demonstration requirements for the competence unit to the satisfaction of the approved company assessor.
Not Yet Competent
The candidate has not yet demonstrated the required competence. Clear and constructive feedback must be provided. Further development and reassessment required.
Insufficient Evidence
Evidence provided is insufficient for a positive decision to be made. Assessor must determine what additional evidence is needed. No decision is made until sufficient evidence is available.
Identified Safety-Critical Job Roles
All twelve (12) offshore diving roles as defined and described in IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 (September 2025) §2.1. Every role is classified as safety-critical. D01 may also be termed Offshore Manager (Ref. IMCA D014).
From IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §2.1: "Certain 'core' competences are considered essential to all personnel working at any level in the marine energy sector and, as such, may be considered common to all job functions. These are: safety; emergency response; personnel skills and communication; and project activities. Knowledge and demonstrable skill levels in these competences will also vary with a person's seniority and level of operational responsibility."
The 12 Roles — IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 §2.1
Standardised Assessment Plans
Role-specific assessment plans for all 12 roles. Each plan shows the complete Assurance Table (Entry Level Qualifications) and Assessment Table (Competence Units with Knowledge, Ability and Demonstration columns) exactly as defined in IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 §2.4–§2.5.
Evidence Upload
Digital documentation upload for candidates. Evidence types are aligned to the direct and indirect assessment methods defined in IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.2.1 and the Demonstration requirements in IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 §2.5.
From IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.2.2: "The assessor should work with the person being assessed to gather and record evidence in line with the assessment process being followed; in most cases this requires 'on the job' observation and assessment." The individual worker is responsible for keeping their portfolio and logbook/record of competence (IMCA Info Note 1022 §6).
Accepted file types: PDF, Word (.doc/.docx), JPG, PNG | Maximum file size: 20 MB per file | Note: Uploading evidence does not automatically mark a competence unit as achieved. Each unit must be assessed and signed off by an approved company assessor.
Click to Upload Evidence or Drag & Drop
Accepted formats: PDF, Word, JPG, PNG (max 20 MB)
Evidence Type Codes — IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.2.1; C003 Rev. 3.3 §2.5
Downloadable Reports
Six report types — all live, all generated from current data. Reports align with the recording and reporting requirements of IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 §4.2.2 and the competence record format of IMCA C001 §2.3.
Transferability & Recognition of Competence
Implementation of IMCA Info Note 1022 – July 2010. The IMCA competence framework supports portability of those elements of company competence schemes which mirror IMCA guidance.
From IMCA Info Note 1022 §2: "This framework supports portability of those elements of company competence schemes which mirror IMCA guidance… Provided that the scheme is underpinned by the IMCA guidelines, and the assessment criteria used are similar, then proof of competence should be accepted by other IMCA member companies."
From IMCA Info Note 1022 §3: "The various contractor schemes are not identical but are based on the IMCA framework. Contractor companies will have processes in place to recognise the competence of all personnel new to the company. Each company will also add its own company-specific requirements for competence criteria for the role, as well as familiarisation, induction and training relevant to the project, worksite, vessel or equipment being worked on."
Recognition Scenarios — IMCA Info Note 1022 §4
Role of the Individual Worker — IMCA Info Note 1022 §6
Using this process, the individual worker gathers material into a portfolio, has it signed off as a true record and has it formally assessed by the contractor's assessor. In this way a freelance or transient person may have competencies assessed from contracted assignments in more than one company.
- The individual worker is responsible for keeping the portfolio and their logbook/record of competence.
- Covers all personnel: full-time and part-time employees, casual and transient workers, and freelance personnel.
- A worker who has already been assessed as competent against all or some of the relevant competences may have these achievements recognised by the new contractor.
Source: IMCA Info Note 1022 – July 2010 §6
Document Compliance Mapping
This section maps every CMS requirement to its exact source in the three IMCA documents. Every feature of this system is derived directly from the documents.
CMS Requirements vs. IMCA Documents
| CMS Requirement | Source Document | Section | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policies & Procedures | |||
| P01 – Scope and Purpose of CAS/CMS | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §1, §2, §3.1 | Implemented |
| P02 – Roles and Responsibilities | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.1.1, §4.1.2; Info Note 1022 §6 | Implemented |
| P03 – Assessment Standards | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §2.1, §2.2, §4.2.1, §4.2.2; C003 §1 | Implemented |
| P04 – Evidence and Documentation | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §2.3, §4.2.2 | Implemented |
| P05 – Validity and Reassessment (max 5 years) | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.5 | Implemented |
| P06 – Transferability and Recognition | IMCA Info Note 1022 | §2, §3, §4, §6; C001 §4.5 | Implemented |
| P07 – Appeals Process | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.2.2 | Implemented |
| P08 – Training, Support and CPD | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §3, §4.3, §4.4 | Implemented |
| Assessors & Verifiers | |||
| Assessor definition and responsibilities | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.1.1 | Implemented |
| Verifier definition and responsibilities | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.1.2 | Implemented |
| Verifier must differ from assessor | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.1.2 | Implemented |
| Assessor training requirements | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.2.1, §4.2.2 | Implemented |
| Verifier training requirements | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.2.3, §4.2.4, §4.2.5 | Implemented |
| Assessment Process | |||
| 6-step assessment and verification process | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 + C003 Rev. 3.3 | §4.2; C003 §2.4–§2.5 | Implemented |
| Direct assessment methods (observation, questioning, discussion, simulation) | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.2.1 | Implemented |
| Indirect assessment methods (WT, work records, candidate reports, RPL) | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.2.1 | Implemented |
| Assessment decisions: Competent / Not Yet Competent / Insufficient Evidence | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.2.2 | Implemented |
| 12 Safety-Critical Roles (IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3) | |||
| D01 Diving Superintendent — Entry criteria + 11 units | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.4, §2.5 | Implemented |
| D02 Bell Diving Supervisor — Entry criteria + 12 units | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.4, §2.5 | Implemented |
| D03 Air (Surface Supplied) Diving Supervisor — Entry criteria + 14 units (incl. nitrox) | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.4, §2.5; Rev. 3 change | Implemented |
| D04 Bell (Saturation) Diver — Entry criteria + 11 units | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.4, §2.5 | Implemented |
| D05 Air (Surface Supplied) Diver — Entry criteria + 14 units (incl. nitrox) | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.4, §2.5; Rev. 3 change | Implemented |
| D06 Life Support Supervisor — Entry criteria + 7 units | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.4, §2.5 | Implemented |
| D07 Life Support Technician — Entry criteria + 6 units | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.4, §2.5 | Implemented |
| D08 Assistant Life Support Technician — Entry criteria + 6 units | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.4, §2.5 | Implemented |
| D09 Tender — Entry criteria + 6 units | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.4, §2.5 | Implemented |
| D10 Senior Dive Technician (All Systems) — Entry criteria + 7 units | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.4, §2.5 | Implemented |
| D11 Senior Dive Technician (Surface Supplied Only) — Entry criteria + 7 units | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.4, §2.5 | Implemented |
| D12 Dive Technician — Entry criteria + 6 units | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.4, §2.5 | Implemented |
| Demonstration column for every unit of every role | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.5 Assessment Tables | Implemented |
| D01 note: "May also be termed Offshore Manager — Ref. IMCA D014" | IMCA C003 Rev. 3.3 | §2.1 footnote | Implemented |
| Evidence, Reports and Transferability | |||
| 14 evidence type codes aligned to C001 direct/indirect methods | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.2.1 | Implemented |
| Document upload (PDF, Word, JPG, PNG, max 20 MB) | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.2.2; Info Note 1022 §6 | Implemented |
| 6 downloadable report types (PDF, CSV) | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §2.3, §4.2.2 | Implemented |
| Transferability matrix — 6 scenarios | IMCA Info Note 1022 | §3, §4 | Implemented |
| Max 5-year validity period policy | IMCA C001 Rev. 3.2 | §4.5 | Implemented |
IMCA C003 Version History
| Date | Reason | Revision |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Section 1 revised. Sections 2–5 removed as addressed in IMCA C001 | Rev. 3.3 |
| April 2024 | Document quality review – preface and layout updated; no change to content | Rev. 3.2 |
| February 2017 | Deletion of Demonstration bullet point 'People management training course certificate' from Job Functions D01; D02; D03; D06; D10; and D11 | Rev. 3.1 |
| April 2016 | Optional nitrox competences added to D03 and D05 | Rev. 3 |
| December 2012 | Technical updates; streamlining and consistency of language | Rev. 2 |
| July 2003 | Extended to include further positions | Rev. 1 |
| January 1999 | Initial publication | — |