Developed by global oil and gas training standards body OPITO International, IMIST online is delivered in partnership with Atlas via approved invigilation centers only.

The Atec Training Center has the capacity to offer training to around 500 oil workers each month. With an estimated 244,000 people in the North America currently employed in exploration and production activities, the center is ready to be used by companies across the region.

IMIST brings a standardized level of basic safety training for the first time to an estimated 1.5 million oil and gas workers worldwide. The training, which was launched in the Middle East in July and is being rolled out across thirty countries, assesses basic safety knowledge in nine subject areas including risk assessment, asset integrity, the use of hazardous substances, working at height, and mechanical lifting among other subjects.

John Rowley, chief executive of Atlas, says the accreditation is a good step towards promoting the roll out of this global minimum safety standard to industry in this region. "IMIST is an important element of assuring a common standard of competency, and this accreditation is a clear step forward towards achieving a step-change in the health and safety culture globally."

He adds, "There has been a great deal of interest from training providers all over the world who want to deliver this global safety standard in their centers, with 26 now registered and spread across most oil and gas regions. Using an invigilated environment ensures the online course is being delivered at the high level the industry demands, and we are delighted that Atec has become the first center to gain approval in this key region."

IMIST is now available in four languages: Arabic, Bahasa Malaysian, English (UK and American), and Hindi - and is coming soon in Thai, French, and Bahasa Indonesian.