January has been a fast-paced and exciting month, setting the tone for a productive year ahead. We’ve been working closely with our clients to support their teams through competency management systems, assessor and verifier training, leadership development, Train the Trainer programmes, and more. From customised SQA awards to Modern Apprenticeships in Management and Food & Drink, our focus remains on equipping businesses with the skills and qualifications they need to thrive.
A huge thank you to all the companies we’ve partnered with so far this year, including Intervention Rentals, TEXO, Centurion, Motive Offshore, AISUS, Fugro, Kindred Clothing, Technip, and many more. Your commitment to investing in training and development continues to drive positive change in your industries.
In this edition, we’re also shining a light on the real impact of effective training with our latest testimonials, sharing valuable research insights on the cost of poor training and how businesses can avoid it, and showcasing our Service Spotlight on Train the Trainer programmes—helping businesses create confident and effective workplace trainers.
Finally, don’t miss out on our upcoming courses and events, including a webinar on agile Competence Management Systems (CMS) and our next Train the Trainer open course. Read on to discover what we’ve been up to, celebrate some fantastic learner achievements, and explore the exciting training opportunities ahead!
"Excellent and effective delivery with great content. Overall, an expertly designed course with clear objectives at each stage. The delivery was relaxed and informative. The trainer’s delivery and attention to detail were top-notch—extremely knowledgeable and patient, with a relaxed training style that I thoroughly enjoyed."
A Learner
Train the Trainer Programme
This feedback highlights exactly what sets Polaris Learning apart when it comes to professional development:
We ensure every training programme is structured with clear learning objectives, carefully mapped to industry standards and best practices. Whether it’s assessor training, internal verifier qualifications, or leadership development, our courses follow a logical, step-by-step approach that maximises understanding and application.
Our trainers are chosen for their expertise and their ability to create an environment that fosters learning. We blend structured teaching with interactive discussions, practical exercises, and real-world examples. This approach makes learning more accessible, even for those who might find formal training intimidating.
Rather than just delivering information, we ensure learners can apply their knowledge in real workplace scenarios. Our courses—such as the Train the Trainer and Assessor Certificate of Competence—require participants to actively engage with materials, demonstrate skills, and receive feedback.
A key aspect of our training is the tailored support provided to each learner. Our trainers take the time to address individual challenges, ensuring that every participant leaves the session feeling more confident in their abilities.
If you’re looking for a training experience that combines expertise, engaging delivery, and a strong focus on practical application, Polaris Learning is the right choice. Whether you need competency-based training, leadership development, or assessment qualifications, we ensure you leave with skills that make a tangible impact in your workplace.
Our Train the Trainer programmes are designed to develop practical training skills that empower individuals to become effective trainers. These programmes cater to various industries, offering tailored solutions for workplace trainers and facilitators, and ensuring participants acquire the skills needed to deliver impactful training.
❌ Inconsistent training quality within teams.
❌ Lack of confidence among trainers in delivering sessions.
❌ Difficulty engaging adult learners effectively.
❌ Challenges tailoring training to diverse learner needs.
❌ Struggling to handle difficult training scenarios.
❌ Trainers not utilising engaging or interactive delivery methods.
❌ Ensuring consistent performance across training teams.
❌ Limited trainer skills in managing group dynamics.
❌ Trainers lacking knowledge of how to create structured presentations.
❌ Difficulty managing nerves or unexpected disruptions during training.
❌ Struggling to make training content memorable and actionable.
❌ Poor understanding of how to create a positive learning environment.
If you recognise these challenges within your organisation, our Train the Trainer course could be exactly what you need. We’ll provide your trainers with the confidence, skills, and practical techniques to manage group dynamics, deliver engaging presentations, and handle unexpected disruptions with ease.
Our training and qualifications for trainers are designed for specialist trainers as well as employees, perhaps supervisors, who need to be able to train their team members as part of a range of tasks they are responsible for.
The course put me into a totally different understanding of training - definitely for the better! Was thoroughly explained and easy to understand. The tutor accommodated everyones needs very well and explained everything clearly.
A Learner
Train the Trainer Programme
Join us on Thursday, 20th February, at 11am for a webinar on taking an agile approach to Competence Management Systems (CMS). Without an agile strategy, CMS projects risk stagnating or veering off course, wasting time and effort. We’ll show how to deconstruct your CMS into manageable chunks to achieve quick wins, maintain momentum, and deliver results while aligning your strategy with industry expectations and client needs.
We’ll explore how to get started, plan incremental changes to drive impact, and lay strong foundations by focusing on strategy, client needs, and accreditation. You’ll also learn how benchmarking can assess competition and position your business effectively, with case studies showcasing successful CMS transformations.
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.