CANADIAN PIPELINE COMPETENCY SYSTEM

    The Canadian Pipeline Competency System (CPCS) provides an industry consensus-based set of requirements (i.e., theoretical knowledge, experience, expertise) for the technical functions associated with the lifecycle of a pipeline system.

    WHAT IS COMPETENCY?

    Competency can be considered as having three components, described in Figure 1:

    THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE
    EXPERIENCE
    EXPERTISE
    What does an individual know?
    Does the individual apply their knowledge to real world situations?
    How does the individual apply their knowledge and experience in a broad range of scenarios?
    THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE
    What does an individual know?
    EXPERIENCE
    Does the individual apply their knowledge to real world situations?
    EXPERTISE
    How does the individual apply their knowledge and experience in a broad range of scenarios?

    Figure 1: Defining Competency

    WHAT IS CPCS?

    Demographic change and the evolution of industry regulation is driving a focus on competency management within the industry. To minimize the impact of these drivers and provide clarity regarding technical career paths, the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association's (APGA's) Pipeline Engineer Competency System was adapted by industry in 2021 for use in Canada. APGA is now working with Jiva Consulting to continue expanding adoption of CPCS in the Canadian market. The benefits of adopting CPCS are described below in Figure 2.

    BENEFITS OF ADOPTING CPCS:

    COMPANY-SPECIFIC BENEFITS
    INDUSTRY BENEFITS
    INDUSTRY PERSONNEL BENEFITS
    • Ability to assess and identify technical competency gaps at both an individual and team level
    • Ability to optimize training and development plans
    • Effective succession planning for technical roles
    • Ability to support contractor selection
    • More effective workforce retention and attraction
    • Improved quality and consistency of workforce technical competency
    • Improved industry performance through more robust technical skills
    • Increased understanding of potential career paths
    • Opportunity to actively develop skills or improve skills in an essential industry
    • Exposure to a greater range of technical information
    COMPANY-SPECIFIC BENEFITS
    • Ability to assess and identify technical competency gaps at both an individual and team level
    • Ability to optimize training and development plans
    • Effective succession planning for technical roles
    • Ability to support contractor selection
    INDUSTRY BENEFITS
    • More effective workforce retention and attraction
    • Improved quality and consistency of workforce technical competency
    • Improved industry performance through more robust technical skills
    INDUSTRY PERSONNEL BENEFITS
    • Increased understanding of potential career paths
    • Opportunity to actively develop skills or improve skills in an essential industry
    • Exposure to a greater range of technical information
    Figure 2: Benefits of Expanded Use of CPCS

    CPCS OVERVIEW:

    Image

    Figure 3: Components of CPCS

    HOW CAN CPCS BE USED?

    Applications of CPCS are described in Figure 4:
    Individuals
    Career Planning
    Demonstration of Current Competency
    Establishing Current Development Goals
    Future Development Goals
    Tailored Job Applications
    Individuals
    Career Planning
    Demonstration of Current Competency
    Establishing Current Development Goals
    Future Development Goals
    Tailored Job Applications
    Organizations
    Succession Planning for Technical Roles
    Demonstration of Meeting Regulatory Requirements
    Clear Role Descriptions
    Individual or Group Competency Assessment
    Project Team Structure
    Organizations
    Succession Planning for Technical Roles
    Demonstration of Meeting Regulatory Requirements
    Clear Role Descriptions
    Individual or Group Competency Assessment
    Project Team Structure
    Figure 4: Application of CPCS

    A FOCUS ON DAMAGE PREVENTION

    Within the CPCS, a subset of competencies focused on prevention of damage to buried infrastructure is available. Aligned with regulations across multiple jurisdictions, the system provides the structure for a holistic damage prevention program that goes beyond the immediate field-based activities, to include areas such as public awareness efforts, which are essential for safety and effectiveness.

    GET MORE INFORMATION

    Contact Us
    For specific information on the Canadian Pipeline Competency System (CPCS), please refer to the contacts below:

    Jeff Lecuyer

    Business Development Specialist
    jeff.lecuyer@jivaconsulting.com
    (403) 993-7084

    Ashley Lawson, P.Eng.

    Project Manager
    ashley.lawson@jivaconsulting.com
    (403) 245-1140

    Jeff Lecuyer

    Business Development Specialist
    jeff.lecuyer@jivaconsulting.com
    (403) 993-7084

    Ashley Lawson, P.Eng.

    Project Manager
    ashley.lawson@jivaconsulting.com
    (403) 245-1140