Competency Management Systems and Solutions

Integration and Overhaul of Global Competency Management System (20 + Rigs)

• We have been supporting this client to integrate a number of different competency management systems resulting in one integrated competency management system that can be used globally across 20 plus rigs, allowing for individual rig variations.
• This focused on the organisation’s own performance standards derived from their barrier management strategy and incorporated their on-the-job training framework
• It has been a risk-based approach with a focus on how to streamline the competency management system to allow for movement between types of rigs and locations, while managing risk.
• We have worked with the team to implement their IT solution effectively as they roll out their revised competency management system
• We are providing the verification expertise until the in-house verifiers are trained and able to take over the process
• Assessor and verifier training have been provided globally online via our online learning portal PLUS, has been tailored to the client’s process and paperwork, and translated into Scandinavian for the Norwegian market. The client has been delighted with how much money has been saved by selecting this training route and how effective the training has been.

Re-focus and revised roll out of CMS Programme

• 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.

Major contract awarded to develop a CMS, based on the organisation’s own performance standards (derived from its barrier management strategy), for international drilling fleet.  This followed an extended review and selection process of international providers.  We have delivered an ambitious Phase 1 of this project on time, on price, and have been awarded Phase 2 of this project.

Putting good practice into place is central to this project, which also involves mapping the company’s performance standards into its competence framework.  Roll out on the first rig started recently and then a strategy to roll out on over 20 plus rigs will be planned and implemented.

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.

As part of the strategy to take key services in-house, Polaris Learning was tasked with developing a CMS framework for positions falling within the Asset Integrity Division.  Polaris Learning reviewed the department’s policies and key procedures (including the recently introduced “Asset Integrity Philosophy and Arrangements for Ageing Assets”).

Polaris Learning developed the framework across all levels and disciplines within the department by initially mapping out a framework based on:

• Technical Competence
  • Integrity function fundamentals
  • Inspection techniques and actions
  • Integrity management of ageing installations
  • Integrity management processes
  • Corrosion management strategies and control schemes
  • Topsides (process facilities)
  • Topside (structural)
  • Pipelines
  • Subsurface Structures

• Asset integrity operations management
  • (Plan) Plan and Priorities Inspection Activities
  • (Do) Implement and Coordinate Inspection Activities
  • (Review) Review Inspection Activities

• Leadership
  • Provide leadership in your area of responsibility
  • Develop the performance of your team
  • Management review and improvement
  • Manage change within your area of responsibility

One of the main pieces of work was the development of a competency management system process for production roles.  The organisation had 3 false starts on this process during the previous 2 years.  Polaris Learning were tasked with pulling the processes together.  We also completed extensive research and consultation with stakeholders before proposing a model that designed competency with the employee development life cycle.

Polaris Learning then built a template for each of the 12 production assets to customise using the following model:

CMS and Execution Plan Health Check

• 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.

Polaris Learning were tasked with evaluating and formalising the formal training and assessment programme and presentation to the HSE for the Operations and Maintenance personal involved in the introduction of a new production facility on one of the client’s major field investments.

This involved the identification of any gaps within the training and development process, and pulling together all records within an established process.

Development and implementation of organisation’s competency management system to ensure it is ready for working within European waters.

Polaris Learning provided the technical expertise to ensure the competency management system met these requirements by writing the necessary technical content for the critical positions. This included the provision of assessor and internal verifier training as well as onsite support services, including the achievement of IADC Accreditation.

Development of a CMS framework for senior management of a drilling contractor based on its safety management system.  This focuses on the competencies required to prevent major accident hazards and the model as based on both technical, managerial and leadership competencies.

Provision of consultancy to develop a competency model to reflect activities of the contractor’s association (ROV, Diving, Survey and Marine) and to align with the STCW code for marine positions.

Delivery of over 350 SQA awards to organisation’s offshore based crew as part of CMS implementation.

Development of competency portfolios and then the roll-out of assessor and internal verifier training across the diverse fleet to support the implementation of the competency management system.

With the introduction of the OSPRAG working body and its recommendations to the UK sector, Polaris Learning was contracted to assist with the final stages of development of the competency management system arrangements covering related roles.

We led with the development of guidelines for the CMS framework competency writing and implementation as well as the establishment of supporting processes around assessment and internal verification. Polaris Learning also led with the development of the CMS guideline for the conduct and documentation of evidence and assessment activities.

On completion of the framework, Polaris Learning prepared and delivered the briefing sessions as well as more formal assessment and internal verification training for senior personnel conducting these responsibilities within the CMS. These sessions were rolled out to other senior personnel in the business following highly positive feedback.

Please note that the framework and practices implemented was identified by OSPRAG as an example of sound industry practice within its formal guidance on meeting the requirements.

Polaris Learning was contracted 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Polaris Learning initially focused on the implementation of its existing CMS by providing a bespoke programme of assessor and internal verifier qualification to support the organisation’s training onsite at its UK sites.

This relationship has continued with a few important developments and extension of the services being provided, including the ongoing provision of assessor and verifier training and qualifications using a variety of delivery methods (class room and online).

We were then engaged by the company to assist with the re-launch and re-focus of the organisation’s CMS. This involves the following activities:

• Development of revised guidance for CMS users
• Training sessions for assessors and internal verifiers

We have helped 5 international clients to achieve OPITO CMS accreditation by providing assistance at different levels of setting up CMS processes and standards to implementation through accredited assessor and internal verifier training.

This involved the development and implementation of engineering competency frameworks.

Polaris Learning has helped more than 600 people to achieve the SQA L&D9DI and SQA L&D11 qualifications through an SQA Satellite Centre arrangement.  This has saved the company a significant amount in training costs.  At the same time, the competency management system’s KPIs relating to the role of assessors and verifiers have also improved with the North Sea rigs consistently recording high qualification achievement rates of 96% and high rates for competency of 98%.

Through this partnership, the client has developed a robust competency management system that has grown to include more senior personnel and been adopted in an increasing number of global locations.  The relationship has developed in recent years with the client being one of the early adopters of PLUS, the online and blended learning portal created by Polaris Learning.

Polaris Learning has also delivered various training courses on-site at, including L&D9DI for assessors and L&D11 for verifiers, with practical assessments carried out offshore. This has been supplemented by additional training courses for drilling and maintenance crews to support the OPITO-accredited competency scheme, and to assist those who wish to achieve further qualifications.