A vocational education training model for ROV pilots and AUV operators

Mercer, Thomas Leander (2010) A vocational education training model for ROV pilots and AUV operators. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (13MB)

Abstract

A current concern is the training required to bring new underwater vehicle operators to a level where they will be proficient operational leads capable of performing all aspects of a typical mission. Globally, there is a significant lack of trained underwater vehicle operators. As underwater systems become more specialized and sophisticated they demand a higher level of skills from their operators and support crews. -- Stakeholders of the various projects in which underwater vehicles are employed such as offshore oil and gas, resource management and security rely heavily on the data collected, the functions performed by the vehicles, and the expertise of their operators. -- Currently most operators of these vehicles evolve into their respective fields through academic interests or operational requirements without specific background knowledge of the systems or the environment in which they will operate. Some operators migrate from other platforms and use their previous knowledge as a baseline. -- The content of their baseline knowledge is a paramount concern. There is a need to find a reliable method to train operators for a growing underwater vehicle marketplace, and moreover ascertain what education level is required as a baseline and then decide how we can take advantage of their prior learning skills. -- The AUV manufactures are doing their part, but there is an increased need to work in concert with academia, industry, military and other equipment manufacturers to achieve the best training methods possible for this growing industry. -- The ROV industry is working toward competency validation and certification using the IMCA as a baseline reference. There is no such reference for AUV operators; however this thesis produces a baseline knowledge guideline for an AUV operator, and through an investigation into the TAFE packages identified 58 out of the 69 competencies required as pre-existing units within the TAFE framework. -- The existence of the TAFE competencies introduce a method to leverage off of existing knowledge baselines as students acquire the skills required to operate underwater vehicles though an avenue of Vocational Education.

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