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:

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