We’re excited to share the latest from across Polaris Learning, AquaTerra Training, and Bon Accord Training—three companies working together to deliver industry-leading training and development across the UK and beyond. Whether it’s supporting learners on the ground, coaching leaders, or strengthening workplace safety, our combined efforts continue to make a real difference.
In What We’ve Been Up To, you’ll find a snapshot of some of the fantastic activity from April. From apprenticeship milestones and school partnerships to leadership development programmes across the UK and Europe, it’s been a month filled with energy, achievement, and impact. You’ll also read about our teams’ travels—from Shetland to Houston—and the people behind the progress, who go above and beyond to deliver meaningful learning experiences.
Our Research Insights section zooms out to explore the wider context—looking at the latest industry statistics, trends, and risk areas shaping workplace training today. With a particular focus on health and safety, confined spaces, equipment operation, and manual handling, this section unpacks the ‘why’ behind what we do and the growing importance of competence in high-risk environments.
In Service Spotlight, we turn the lens on our collective capabilities as a group—highlighting how Polaris Learning, AquaTerra Training, and Bon Accord Training complement each other to provide joined-up solutions. Whether you’re looking to build leadership, stay compliant, or roll out large-scale practical training, this section shows how we can support your goals, together.
Finally, be sure to check out our Upcoming Courses and Events. From ILM-recognised Train the Trainer courses to practical workshops and a Lunch and Learn in Inverurie this June, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved, connect with others, and develop your team’s skills.
This month, we’re highlighting the extensive capabilities and combined expertise offered through Polaris Learning, AquaTerra Training, and Bon Accord Training. As a group, we deliver integrated, industry-leading training and development solutions that address critical areas of workplace competence, compliance, and leadership.
Polaris Learning excels in developing tailored competency management systems, delivering impactful leadership and management programmes, and providing modern apprenticeship schemes across various sectors, including food and drink specialisms. Our solutions range from online customisable courses to comprehensive assessor and internal verifier training, ensuring your teams are not only competent but continuously improving.
AquaTerra Training specialises in safety-critical training courses such as confined space entry and rescue, working at height, and the handling of dangerous goods. Our fully-equipped training facilities, mobile units, and highly skilled instructors mean we can deliver exceptional practical training wherever it’s needed, maintaining safety standards and compliance at all times.
Bon Accord Training further enhances our group’s capabilities by providing expert training in plant machinery, cranes, lifting equipment, and lift truck operations. Our accredited courses are delivered onsite, tailored specifically to your equipment and operational environment, ensuring your teams are proficient, confident, and fully compliant with regulatory standards.
📌 Coaching for Communication (7–8 May) Help your leaders deliver clearer toolbox talks, safety briefings, and task instructions. Miscommunication leads to risk—this workshop focuses on getting key messages across effectively to boost both safety and performance.
📌 Leadership Development (21–22 May) For new and experienced supervisors—build confidence, strengthen leadership skills, and learn how to handle difficult conversations, keep teams motivated, and lead under pressure.
📌 Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (23–25 June) Train supervisors and managers to monitor, advise, and report on dangerous goods compliance. Ensure clarity on regulations, packaging, labelling, and documentation—reducing risk and improving operational safety.
📌 Train the Trainer – ILM Recognised (3-day course) Equip your trainers with essential practical skills for effective communication, interactive training, and delivering constructive feedback. Participants practise delivering presentations and demonstrations, receiving structured feedback to enhance their training effectiveness.
We’re partnering with AquaTerra Training and Bon Accord Training Limited for an engaging Lunch and Learn focused on Training, Competence, and Learning & Development. Taking place on Thursday, 12th June 2025 at Fly Cup, Inverurie (09:00–15:00), the event includes expert talks, networking, and a complimentary lunch with teas and coffees throughout the day.
Topics include managing high-risk hazards, onboarding strategies, coaching and mentoring, and building agile competency systems. Whether you're in training, HR, or operations, this is a great chance to explore key challenges, share ideas, and discover practical solutions that can benefit your organisation. Don’t miss out – we’d love to see you there!
We provided a range of consultancy services during a major reorganisation of its operations. This includes the following main changes:
– The in-sourcing of a range of training and competency services affecting onshore and offshore positions which had previously been outsourced to a major service company for 10 years
– The recontracting of its main offshore services including Fabrication and Maintenance, Operations and Production and Asset integrity
• Polaris Learning was contracted to redefine the training and competency requirements for all offshore positions affected by the re-contracting of major services. This included all positions within Fabrication and Maintenance
(including onshore based managers), Operations and Maintenance personal, Deck and Emergency Roles.
• We liaised with a variety of stakeholders to redefine the minimum training, qualification and competence requirements for all positions affected (around 30 roles in total).
• We also liaised with service providers to ensure alignment of revised requirements and processes with their existing arrangements.
• A long-term relationship to assist the organisation development and implement training and competency initiatives across its international operations.
• The recent project focused on training and competency procedures and a cascade model for tool and workshop competency.
• The CMS project was linked to the organisation’s drive to improve downhole reliability with the human element of performance requiring attention, which was addressed by designing the CMS around their organisation’s key processes.
Provision of accredited assessor training to assist with the implementation of its CAMS programme which gained accreditation with OPITO.
This was followed with the provision of accredited internal verifier programme to a number of the organisation’s internal verifiers.
• The company needed to address the issue of competency for its diverse, international fleet.
• Polaris Learning were initially contracted to provide guidance through to the first road testing of the new competence assurance and assessment scheme.
• We used our CMS Health Check service to provide consistent guidance on the process and also our in-depth experience of working with the IMCA Competence Scheme to help TOPAZ get their approach right. Following initial implementation, we were re-contracted to provide assessor training for initial roll out and then to provide remote assessor training using our online blended learning platform PLUS.
• Development and implementation of training and competency systems for the organisation’s dive support vessels including all diving and deck positions.
• Working in partnership with the company to implement an online competence assessment system (CAS) across the organisation’s Dive Support Vessels.
• Additional contracts to implement similar requirements for marine and technical positions. Ongoing support to the training and competency manager.
Revision and roll out of CMSDevelopment and implementation of Training & Competency systems for the organisation’s key offshore teams: Well Ops; SIL; Coiled Tubing & Senior DP.
Review of system for diving operations and development of processes to support implementation.
Provision of Assessor and Verifier training since 2011 to assist with the improvement and energising of company’s offshore competency scheme for Marine and Construction personnel. This has included some independent verification of portfolios.
Detailed consultancy during 2021 to review and update the CMS system in line with industry practice.
Integrated LMS and CMS• Development and hosting of organisation’s integrated LMS and CMS. This included the transition of traditional learning programmes online.
• Competencies developed and implemented online in line with IMCA framework.
• Provision of Assessor, Internal Verifier and Train the Trainer programmes to support learning drive.
• Currently working on Phase 3 of LMS and CMS project to cover new parent organisation’s operations.
Stena Drilling were looking for specialist support as they revised their CMS to streamline and finalise their revised CMS prior to implementation.
Polaris Learning prepared and delivered a detailed review of the revised CMS and execution plan, working very closely with the CMS team.
This included a detailed review and benchmarking of their standards, assessment process, supporting procedures, alignment options and plans to update their online CMS system.
Development of online assessor training to mirror the revised CMS set-up.
Our support for the client involved integrating diverse competency management systems into a singular, global one usable across 20+ rigs, accommodating individual rig variations. This effort was centred on the organisation’s performance standards derived from their barrier management strategy and integrated their on-the-job training framework.
This comprehensive approach was risk-based, aiming to streamline the competency management system for seamless movement between rig types and locations while effectively managing associated risks. We collaborated closely to implement their IT solution efficiently, facilitating the rollout of their revised competency management system.
Our involvement extended to providing verification expertise until the in-house verifiers were trained to take over the process. Additionally, we offered assessor and verifier training globally through our online learning portal, PLUS. This training was tailored to the client’s processes, translated into Scandinavian for the Norwegian market. The client was notably pleased with the substantial cost savings from this training route and its remarkable effectiveness.
Since January 2015, we’ve collaborated with Sapura Kencana Drilling (SKD), initially training 500 assessors online through a program with a knowledge test. Subsequently, we extended this online training to verifiers, also incorporating a knowledge assessment. Recently, we further enhanced our support by offering a custom SCORM-compliant e-learning package designed specifically for assessors and verifiers. This tailored package is accessible through SKD’s learning management system, ensuring convenient and effective learning opportunities for their team.
In 2020, Polaris Learning engaged in a project to develop cloud-based competence solutions for agency contracting in Drilling and Well Services. Their task involved crafting a versatile framework that seamlessly integrates with clients’ CMS, ensuring comprehensive access and visibility to competence records. This CMS was meticulously designed to optimize crew efficiencies, acknowledging the varied competencies required for different rigs. Hosting this system on PLUS, their cloud-based platform, Polaris ensured its accessibility and reliability. Furthermore, they complemented this development by providing online training for assessors and internal verifiers.
Well Operations Audit of Supply Chain• We have worked together on a wide range of projects.
• When the Oil & Gas UK Guidance on Competency for Wells Personnel were issued by the HSE we were asked to conduct a full independent audit across all positions affected by the Wells Competence guidelines.
• This was an extensive piece of work covering onshore and offshore production, operations, engineering, drilling and geology as well as offshore production and key contractors including a number of drilling contractors and well services companies providing critical positions.
• The audit included a full desktop audit of systems and paperwork as well as onshore and offshore visits to drilling contractors identified for audit.
Transition of organisation’s CMS from paper to online format. Extension to cover other roles and services. Provision of SQA assessor training and third-party verification service.
