Process Safety Competence of Vocational Students

Abstract

Since safety demands are an integral part of the process industry, process safety competence should be developed accordingly. When developing this competence during the vocational education and training (VET) of process operators, close collaboration between the students, VET providers, and workplaces is essential. The aim of this study was to examine the current needs regarding process safety education in the process industry with respect to VET. Interviews (n = 46) and a workshop were carried out with participating process industry, VET, and expert organizations. Competence requirements were categorized into (1) knowledge and skills, (2) values and attitudes, and (3) abilities and traits needed to achieve the required level of performance in the process industry. Developing these competencies can be helpful to VET organizations, as they enable students to adapt to workplaces’ process safety requirements. Moreover, the study results can be utilized in the development of the process safety competence of senior employees.