Yak Diving Institute to create workforce for deep sea oil & gas operations
The Indian offshore oil and gas industry which until now had to depend mostly on naval divers or expats, skilled in working underwater has now reason to celebrate. Yak Diving Academy, the country’s first institute in private sector offering a number of courses in diving and underwater services has gone on stream and is in the process of developing skilled divers required to operate underwater for the oil and sea exploration and production industry.
“For young aspirants wanting to get into this adventurous profession Yak Diving Academy opens a vista of opportunities since they no longer need to spend enormous sums to go abroad to become expert divers,” stated D. S. Yadav an ex-chief engineer who came ashore a decade back and initially started an institute to train cadets in pre sea courses. “Our institute is Associate Member of International Diving Schools Association and Member of International Marine Contractor Association. We look forward for IDSA’s full membership in near future”
He goes on to explain that those interested in developing expertise in various aspects of offshore activity, the Academy offers a comprehensive 4 ½ months course in Under Water Welding and Cutting, Under Water Videography and Under Water Non-destructive Testing. Those who find under water adventure or entertainment appealing can take up the elementary two-week Scuba Diving course. Yet another stream offered is in Salvaging and under water rescue operations.
Yak Education Trust which runs the Diving Institute and which has been adjudged the ‘Most Efficient Institute’ by the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India for 2008-09 plans to take up industry contracts for training aspirants in diving and other skill sets. Based at Khopoli, two hours drive from Bombay, the Academy boasts of world class facilities with faculty consisting of internationally acknowledged instructors.
Those in the industry circle advocate creation of more such institutes because of the rampant poaching of talented employees in the offshore industry. Umesh C. Grover, Director (Technical & Offshore Services), Shipping Corporation of India stated, “Talented people are constantly being lured away by other players in the field with offers of a better salary, with the result the salaries of such operators has skyrocketed by 250% within the past one to two years.” He points out that divers are being poached and the industry ends up having to offer them ever escalating salaries to retain them.