One of DNV’s most important diversifiers is the competence level of our employees. Not only do over 75% of them hold a university degree but, by putting their knowledge into practice each and every day and learning from these experiences, they provide DNV with an extraordinary amount of expertise.

That high level of expertise is what enables us to deliver real added value to our customers in our core businesses. We want to develop knowledge and competence and share these with our customers: not only in technical or consulting assignments but also in professional training.

DNV professionals deliver high-end training in over 35 countries, including Korea, China and Vietnam, and this has attracted positive customer response. On average every workday over twenty classrooms are filled with students taking part in training developed and provided by a DNV trainer. Our courses vary in content and cover:

• Quality systems and standards
  Courses in the areas of quality systems, environment, safety, project management, automotive, IT compliance and risk management.

• High level IT training
  Training that provides state-of the-art knowledge and fundamental insights into strategic IT topics such as IT architecture, business intelligence, security and IT management.

• Knowledge management
  One-day introduction courses and intensive five-day Master classes to help organisations manage their information, knowledge and competences effectively.

• Technical training
  A variety of technical courses with a special focus on helping customers use DNV’s software products and custom- ised solutions for the maritime, off- shore and process industries.

DNV Academy
In late 2006, the Executive Board decided that all DNV’s commercial training activities should be placed under one label: the DNV Academy. This would create visibility and a firm basis for becoming a renowned global provider of high-value professional training.

In 2007, this initiative started with the appointment of a steering committee consisting of representatives of all DNV’s business areas. Together they developed a joint idea of what the DNV Academy could and should be. They also initiated a pilot to start off the DNV Academy in The Netherlands. All four business areas provide training in The Netherlands, making it a good place to start the experiment. Joint marketing materials were developed, and support is in the process of being organised across the business areas. In 2008, the DNV Academy will present itself as a real provider of high-end professional training in The Netherlands.

Based on these experiences and a plan developed by the steering committee, the Executive Board decided in the autumn of 2007 to pursue this idea. A DNV Academy manager will be appointed; he or she will initiate and support local initiatives to start working together under one label in ten countries around the world. To support this, marketing materials and quality standards will be developed and made available to the industries we serve. The aim is to ensure that DNV is recognised as one of the leading providers of professional training through the DNV Academy.

Photo: Scanpix/Bo Olsen