Development of Competency Instrument for HVAC Maintenance Technical Executor of Oil and Gas Industry in Malaysia

Abstract

Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) are critical mechanical systems maintained in the oil and gas (O&G) industry. However, there are no guidelines to define and measure the competencies of the personnel who execute HVAC maintenance in the O&G industry in Malaysia. The research objective is to develop a competency instrument for HVAC maintenance technical executors in the O&G industry in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey was designed in the study by using a quantitative approach. The developed instrument has been distributed to 163 respondents using cluster sampling based on four regions. The analysis results through Winstep Software V.3.69.1.11 identified 19 competencies with 119 sub-competencies in technical skill, three competencies with 30 sub-competencies in non-technical skill, and four competencies with 18 sub-competencies in core personality. These competency instruments were pertinent to academic and professional communities based on perspectives from the industry. For practical purposes, the HVAC competency instruments may assist the employees in their career advancement to be competent.