Welcome to this month’s update from Polaris Learning! It’s been a busy and exciting few weeks across a range of programmes, partnerships, and events – and we’re delighted to share some highlights with you. From hands-on leadership development to mentoring, team building, and international training delivery, our work continues to support people and organisations in building capability, confidence, and connection.
We’ve been back in Glasgow delivering Sulmara’s Leadership Development Programme, where participants from diverse roles explored communication, conflict, and team dynamics. We also continued our collaboration with TechnipFMC, supported Sulzer with mentoring training, and enjoyed an energetic team-building day with AquaTerra and Bon Accord. These sessions continue to show the power of practical, reflective learning to bring teams together and unlock potential.
Our global training delivery reached a new milestone, with U.Supervise now being delivered in Spanish for Fugro in Chile – marking the third language for this programme and a proud moment in our long-term partnership. Closer to home, we’ve also been working with Opportunity North East on leadership training in the seafish industry, and Helena represented Polaris Learning at the World Butchers’ Challenge in Paris, supporting Team GB – a truly diverse month of activity!
Finally, don’t miss this month’s featured testimonial, spotlight on leadership development, and a deep dive into why early investment in leadership pays off. Plus, check out upcoming workshops and events – including a communication-focused leadership course in May and a June Lunch & Learn event in Inverurie. There’s plenty to explore, and we hope you find inspiration and ideas to support your own learning journey.
"Training was very engaging, and kept everyone alert by moving the focus. Content was clearly explained and the real-world examples and experience assisted extremely well in the course."
A Learner,
Leadership Development
This feedback highlights the core strengths that set us apart:
This shows that the training was interactive and dynamic, preventing monotony. By regularly shifting focus, the facilitator sustained participants’ attention – a key strategy in adult learning theory, which suggests that engagement increases when content delivery is varied and participatory.
Clarity in explanation ensures that complex topics are understood by all attendees, regardless of background. This highlights strong instructional design and delivery skills, ensuring that learning objectives are met effectively.
Incorporating real-world examples bridges the gap between theory and practice. This not only reinforces understanding but also makes the learning relevant and relatable, increasing its practical value to attendees.
The reference to the facilitator’s own experience suggests the course was led by someone with genuine industry insight. Learners are more likely to trust and absorb information from someone who has “been there and done that.”
This feedback reflects a training session that is thoughtfully designed, well-delivered, and rooted in practical relevance. These are core principles of impactful adult education – keeping learners engaged, making complex ideas easy to grasp, and ensuring applicability in the real world.
Thriving leaders are resilient, self-aware, and attuned to those around them. At Polaris Learning, we develop these qualities through flexible leadership programmes that quickly build confidence and competence—whether for new supervisors or experienced managers. Our solutions, including workshops, online courses, and ILM-recognised options, are tailored to align with your organisation’s goals and drive success at every level.
A key part of our approach is the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI), used in many of our programmes to boost self-awareness and improve interpersonal impact. This practical tool helps leaders navigate team dynamics, manage conflict, and foster collaboration.
From standalone workshops to full leadership pathways, we offer customisable training to suit all levels. Our ILM and SQA-recognised programmes provide practical skills and credible qualifications, helping you develop motivated leaders who inspire, manage, and deliver real results.
Spaces are filling up fast for our two leadership workshops this May – designed to give your supervisors the skills they need to lead with confidence.
📌 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.
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.