by Sherri Hogan

Holland College's Underwater Welding, Inspection and Maintenance program, located at the College's Georgetown Centre, has received accreditation from the Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC). Holland College is 1 of 3 training institutions in North America to receive this accreditation.

The DCBC, a federally incorporated not-for-profit body, is the only national body which certifies offshore and inshore commercial divers in Canada. Upon the request of the College and as per DCBC's accreditation policy, the DCBC provided an independent audit which included an on-site visit and a detailed review of the curricula, equipment, facilities, staff, dive sites and safety policies of the College. The audit was conducted on behalf of the DCBC by staff of the Experimental Dive Unit of Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC-Toronto). The final step in the process was the presentation of a report and a recommendation to the Board of Directors of the DCBC by David Parkes, their Executive Director. The Board approved the accreditation at a recent regular meeting. The DCBC will audit the Underwater Welding, Inspection and Maintenance program on a regular basis and requires full re-accreditation every five years.

While attending a recent open water training class at the government wharf in Georgetown, David Parkes commented on the Underwater Welding program. "The DCBC is very impressed with the facilities available to the students in the Underwater Welding program and with the initiative shown by the instructors. For example, it is particularly beneficial to the students to be able to carry out real life activities such as the underwater inspection of a tug which the students conducted today." While in Georgetown Mr. Parkes presented the Certificate of Accreditation to the College.

Students in the Underwater Welding, Inspection and Maintenance program can now be assured that the skills they acquire during their 34 weeks meet national and international standards. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for a certificate of competency as a commercial diver from the DCBC. This "Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver" certification is internationally recognized.

"Accreditation through the Diver Certification Board of Canada assures that Holland College is training to nationally recognized standards for commercial diving, "said Jenna Boon, Program Manager, Engineering, Trades and Technology Department at Holland College. "Training Programs and Diver certification are essential components in addressing the skills and safety requirements for diving in many important economic sectors in Atlantic Canada."