The intention is to set out the nature of the accreditation process for training providers and the requirements of the Observer Certification Management Committee (CMC) with regard to the quality systems that the training provider has put in place.

The PIRFO Certification Management Committee (CMC) is comprised of:

The Certification Management Committee (CMC) is the overarching body responsible for ensuring PIRFO standards are maintained. It manages recognition of PIRFO standards by member nations and facilitates accreditation of training providers to deliver PIRFO training. It ensures training institutes delivering PIRFO training and assessment have appropriate quality systems in place according to the requirements outlined the previous section “PIRFO Training Accreditation Requirements”.

The PIRFO Certification Management Committee (CMC) is comprised of:

 

The Observer Programme Adviser of the Pacific Community (SPC) The Observer Programme Manager of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Representatives from Micronesian, Melanesian and Polynesian states – likely to be Fisheries Observer Programme Managers or PIRFO Trainers & Assessors.

 

An invited advisory role for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Observer Program Coordinator.

The CMC should be co- chaired by the FFA and SPC representatives. Representation and the chair of CMC should be reviewed every three years to ensure fresh perspectives and equitable regional representation is retained. CMC operates as a shared regional entity resourced and funded via SPC and FFA. It is tasked with facilitating the development of training programmes, formal certification, training institute accreditation and effective quality assurance processes with regard to the competencies and specific tasks of regional fisheries observers.

The training institute accreditation process is outlined in the flow chart on the previous page. It consists of a desktop evaluation of documentation provided by the institute followed by a site visit and audit from a CMC representative to confirm training and assessment, moderation and quality assurance systems the training provider has in place meet requirements. CMC involvement in the accreditation process is usually free of charge. However, CMC reserves the right to charge a portion of its costs to applicant organisations if the accreditation application is particularly complex or time consuming.

Where, in the opinion of CMC, the applicant has established a credible background and history of providing training and assessment for fisheries observers and the quality systems operated by the applicant are known to CMC, the site visit requirement may be waived.

Generally a twelve- month probationary certificate to deliver PIRFO training is issued to a training institute that is new to PIRFO training and providing the CMC is confident that evidence of ongoing compliance has been provided a three-year certificate to deliver PIRFO training is issued at the end of the probationary period. The CMC is also responsible for monitoring the ongoing maintenance of standards by each training institute and acting on any defects in those standards that comes to the CMC’s attention.

SPC and FFA have been awarded certificates of accreditation from SPC's Education Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) for three PIRFO qualifications.  The accreditation of qualifications independently verifies that the standard of learning satisfies regional quality requirements and it meets the needs of industry. SPC and FFA welcome this recognition and encourage Maritime Colleges and other education institutes seeking to deliver the accredited PIRFO qualifications to apply to EQAP or their own education authority to become an approved provider.  Certified PIRFO Trainers are proud to deliver the Certificate III in PIRFO Observer Operations, the Certificate IV in Debriefer Operations (PIRFO) and the micro-qualification Level IV in Debriefer Mentor and Assessor

Certificate III in PIRFO Observer Operations

Certificate IV in PIRFO Debriefer Operations

Certificate IV in PIRFO Debriefer Mentor and Assessor