5 Things to Consider When Choosing Your API Training Provider

, 1/22/2019 2 Comments

Tags: Human Factors Risk Based Inspection Training


Our VP of Performance and Learning discusses some things to investigate when evaluating training providers for your API learning needs. While there are many vendors out there that bill their ability to provide training for American Petroleum Institute (API) certification and education, not all vendors are created equal. Some up-front research can go a long way toward a high-quality learning experience.

5 Things to Consider When Choosing Your API Training Provider

Whether you are trying to prepare for your API certification exam or want to learn more about Inspection, here are some questions to ask to ensure that you get the best learning experience possible when selecting a training course/provider:

Is the course up to date?

Training courses take a lot of time to develop. Therefore, not all courses are kept up to date. Verify that the course reflects the current edition of API Code/Recommended Practice. The American Petroleum Institute's documented codes, standards, and recommended practices are updated and modified every couple of years. Sometimes these changes can have a significant impact. Ask how frequently the course and course materials are updated. Your training provider should be training from the most current publications coming from API.

What is the Class Size?

Remember to check this as it will potentially have a big impact on your learning experience. Am I going to be in a class of 10 participants or 100? The amount of questions that I get to ask (and get answered) may be very dependent on how big the class is. It has been my experience that when a class size exceeds 25, you will need more than one facilitator. While usually a vendor will cancel a course if there is not enough turnout, in some cases they may not. Keep in mind that having too few participants can also have a negative impact on the learning experience.

What is the pass rate of course participants?

If you are preparing for API certification, what is the success rate of previous participants? The answer to this question may be both difficult to provide and difficult to interpret. Are the pass rates high because only highly-qualified personnel attend? The course provider may not be able to verify who actually took the exam during a particular testing window and therefore may not be able to provide an accurate pass rate. Because there are so many variables playing into the estimation of pass rates, be wary of vendors who tout their pass rate as a significant indicator of quality. Also, you may have a higher quality learning experience with a vendor that strives to teach more than just what is necessary to pass the test.

What experience and certifications do the facilitators have?

Some trainers know the course materials but may not be industry professionals. You want to verify that your course facilitator has on-the-job experience implementing and applying the API Code/Recommended Practice. Also ensure that the course facilitator is certified to the current API Codes/Recommended Practices related to the course. Again, it is relatively easy to train to an exam or to regurgitate key phrases from a published document and just about anyone with rudimentary training skill can do this. However, if you are going to invest in the training, make sure you get with someone who knows what they are talking about and who can field the deeper questions that may come up. Don't settle for a trainer that does not have sufficient experiential background in the material being presented or who's not current on their certifications.

Is the course timed effectively to coincide with API exam windows or your RBI implementation?

If you are pursuing API certification, when you take the training becomes very important. In order to retain knowledge gained during a training course, many participants want to complete training as close to the API exam window as possible. Similarly, if you are planning a new RBI implementation, for example, you will want your team to receive their training as close as possible to when they will actually begin making use of their new knowledge.

Conclusion

While some of these questions seem basic and obvious, the answers can be enlightening and help you to make the best decision possible when selecting API training courses. Good luck on your professional development and certification journey!


Comment on this article

Comments

8/16/2021 - AOC
We do offer several of our courses virtually.
8/16/2021 - Ekow
Can I enrolled this program online?

Add your comment

Related Services

Risk Based Inspection (RBI) Implementation and Planning

AOC has delivered thousands of sustainable Risk Based Inspection (RBI) programs earning the trust of owner operators.

Development of Mechanical Integrity (MI) Procedures and Processes

A maintenance system designed in which elements work together as a quality system for maximum returns

Damage Mechanism Review / Corrosion Study

One of the most important steps in an RBI project is the corrosion study or damage mechanism review.

Related Tools

API 580 Work Process Quiz

How well do you know RBI? Take this short quiz to test your knowledge of the API 580 risk-based inspection (RBI) work process.

RBI Potential Savings Calculator

Create mechanical integrity (MI) program value rather than it being seen as a necessary cost to minimize.

Related Training

RBI/MI Overview

A high level overview introducing Mechanical Integrity and Risk Based Inspection

API 580 RBI Overview

What impact does Risk Based Inspection (RBI) have on my organization?

API 580 Training

Is your Risk Based Inspection (RBI) program aligned with the API 580 Recommended Practice? Are you ready for certification?

API 581 Overview

What's actually going on inside all of that fancy software? An introduction to the API 581 methodology.

API 581 Training

A deep dive into quantitative Risk Based Inspection (RBI) as outlined in API 581.

Related Knowledge

Managing Reliability of Ethane Crackers using DMR, RBI, and IOWs

How RBI, DMR, and IOW programs can be used to manage reliability of Ethane crackers.

Qualitative Risk Assessment of a Commercial Refrigeration System

A case study presenting the methods used to calculate qualitative risk for a critical refrigeration system and the results of the assessment.

Steam System Risk Mitigation Using Risk Based Inspection

The benefits of utilizing risk-based methodologies for the inspection programs of often overlooked utilities systems

Goal: 100% API 580 Certified

A long-standing vision of AOC, we are well on our way to meeting the goal of having 100% of our RBI staff certified to API 580.

Other Benefits of Risk Based Inspection Implementation

A look at several of the secondary benefits of Risk Based Inspection

Risk Strategies for Pressure Retaining Equipment

What are equipment/inspection strategies in relation to mechanical integrity (MI) and risk based inspection (RBI)?

API 580 (4th edition) Required Elements

What are the requirements of API 580, 4th edition?

Hidden Benefits of Risk Based Inspection (RBI)

What are the hidden benefits of implementing Risk Based Inspection?

How to Incorporate the New PHMSA Underground Gas Storage Requirements

This is a practical approach to incorporating the new PHMSA gas well rules into your integrity program with the rest of your surface and subsurface assets.

Plant Management 101: Common Work Processes

A dysfunctionality found in many refineries, chemical plants, and other production facilities, is a lack of common asset management work processes.