From left, Keith Adam, managing director at Polaris Learning, and Charlie Cameron, training director at AquaTerra Training (photo: Polaris Learning/AquaTerra Training)

Two Aberdeenshire firms have joined forces to offer enhanced training services to businesses operating across a range of high-risk industries.

Polaris Learning and AquaTerra Training have agreed to deliver complimentary training, development and competency management courses targeting onshore and offshore personnel. This approach will result in greater availability and choice for end-users as well as ensuring continued high standards of delivery.

Several courses developed in-house by Polaris Learning, including assessor, verifier and leadership management, will be added to AquaTerra’s training programme. Similarly, the company will promote AquaTerra as an approved provider for an extensive range of training services.

While both companies work globally, the initial focus will be on developing business relationships in the north-east and across the rest of the UK.

In addition, the two businesses will share intelligence on a variety of other key industries including oil and gas, renewables, food and drink, distilleries and construction, among others – which will allow each company to diversify further into these specific sectors.

Keith Adam, managing director at Polaris Learning, says, “We are pleased to have reached this agreement with AquaTerra and welcome the opportunity to offer a complimentary range of training services which will, ultimately, benefit the end-user. This is an exciting time for all of us at Polaris Learning as we continue to bring our experience in training and competency to bear amongst clients in the energy sector. This joint venture will allow us to provide additional training programmes and forge links into new industry sectors.”

AquaTerra Training was established in 2008 as part of the AquaTerra Group – a company founded in 2004 to provide difficult access operations in hazardous environments. The firm currently delivers a range of accredited, practical courses covering: work at height, confined space, rigging and lifting, transport of dangerous goods and health and safety to an average of 8,000 candidates per year.

Charlie Cameron, training director at AquaTerra Training, adds, “We look forward to working together with Polaris Learning and developing this relationship over the months ahead. As a company, AquaTerra is not constrained by traditional methods or thinking and our approach is to be proactive by working with companies that share a similar ethos, drive for continuous improvement and high standards in terms of attention to detail.”

Established in 1996, Polaris Learning provides competency management services as well as an extensive range of accredited training and qualification programmes from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).

The business was recently approved for the Business Gateway Growth Pipeline, an intensive 18-month programme which provides across-the-board support covering business strategy, marketing strategy, IT resources and research into overseas markets.

In November 2016, Polaris Learning exhibited at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) as part of the SDI Scotland Pavilion. The company has also expanded into new geographical markets over the past 12 months, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Norway, following the development of its online and blended learning portal, PLUS.

Tags: AquaTerra Training, Polaris Learning