Verification of
Competency
(VOC)
A verification of competency, or VOC, confirms that someone who already holds a licence or a Statement of Attainment can still operate that plant safely and to the standard the site requires. It is an assessment, not a course, and the record it produces is what a site or principal contractor asks for before putting a person on the equipment.
About the assessment
Sites ask for a VOC when a licence is years old and nobody on site has seen the person operate, when a worker moves to a new site or new equipment, when someone returns to plant after time away, and after an incident. A VOC does not replace the licence and does not issue a new one. The assessor watches the person operate the plant, asks the knowledge questions behind the unit of competency, and records whether they are competent on that plant today.
Who it is for
- Operators returning to plant after time away from it
- Workers moving to a new site, a new machine or a different make of plant
- Crews a principal contractor wants verified before a shutdown, a start-up or a new contract
- Supervisors and safety officers who need a current competency record on file for an audit
What it covers
- Pre-start and documentation.Licence and identity check, site permits, pre-start inspection of the plant.
- Safe operation.Start-up, normal operation and monitoring of the plant, observed by the assessor.
- Abnormal and emergency conditions.How the operator responds to faults, alarms and emergency shutdown.
- Shutdown and handover.Bringing the plant down safely and recording the handover.
- Knowledge questions.The theory behind the unit of competency, answered verbally or in writing.
- The record.The assessment outcome written up for the worker and the site.
What you will be able to do
- Show a site or principal contractor a current, assessed record of competency on the plant
- Put a returning or transferring operator back on equipment with the paperwork the site requires
- Identify any gap that needs refresher training before the person is signed off
Frequently
asked questions
Is a VOC the same as a licence?
No. A licence or Statement of Attainment says a person was trained and assessed as competent at the time it was issued. A VOC checks that they are still competent today, on the plant in front of them. Most sites want both.
Who asks for a VOC?
Usually the site, the principal contractor or the employer, and often before a shutdown, a new contract or a return to work. Some sites require one at set intervals.
What happens if someone is not yet competent?
The gap is recorded and the person is not signed off on that plant until it is closed, usually with refresher training and a further assessment.
Book a seat on a set date
Booking yourself or a few people onto a date listed here? Pick the date and book online. For a group, training on your site or a date that is not listed, get a quote.
Get a quote
Tell Glen the plant, how many people and where they are, and he will come back to you with a quote and available dates.