In advancing our presence within many industry sectors, a partnership agreement aimed at helping high-risk industries create safe and competent workforces has been signed between digital learning specialists Mintra and competence framework experts ITB Competence Assurance Ltd. The move brings together Mintra’s market-leading learning and competence management system, Trainingportal, with ITB’s expertise in creating competence management system frameworks, policies and procedures.

Both companies have a strong track record in responding to the needs of highly regulated industries, where technical competence is critical to the safety of people, assets and the environment. ITB’s offering is focused on project managing the design, implementation and operation of competence management systems. By scoping out the correct framework, based on best practice, the company helps customers to develop a fully functional, simple to use and accessible solution.

Whereas ITB develops the framework and specialist training, Mintra provides the cloud-based software platform to digitally manage all administration. Around 1.7 million workers are currently using Trainingportal to access accredited training courses, while HR teams use the system to track workforce competence, ensuring that every worker has the certifications required to perform their role safely.

Duncan Bonner, managing director and co-owner of ITB Competence Assurance, described the collaboration as a perfect coming together of expertise. He said: “Safety continues to be at the core of everything our customers do, particularly in sectors such as oil and gas, renewables and maritime. In 2019, the oil and gas industry alone experienced 25 fatalities during 3bn work hours. While this was down 19% on the 31 fatalities recorded the previous year, even one fatality is one too many. Ensuring competence across the workforce is a route to achieving a zero-fatality rate.

Our agreement with Mintra combines unrivalled expertise in the field of competence management services, bringing together two highly skilled and complementary teams of people, focused on ensuring customers have access to industry leading tools and services.

With over 2,000 courses available-many of them accredited by external organisations such as OPITO, STCW and SQA-Marketplace represents one of the largest eLearning libraries of training for safety-critical industries. ITB’s offering on Marketplace is focused on the training of assessors and verifiers.

This partnership allows Mintra and ITB to deliver a holistic solution to ensure that organisations recognise the competencies their operations require and to enable their people to develop skills, stay safe and verify their competence.”

ITB, recently acquired by Assurance of Learning is a leading provider of assessor and verifier training and carries multiple internationally recognised accreditations, including OPITO and SQA approvals. ITB has been providing subject matter expertise in the design, implementation and operation of competence management systems to the energy industry for over 10 years and has worked with a number of blue chip energy businesses in implementing best practice competence frameworks, standards, processes and procedures. Additionally, ITB provides training to international accredited standards, including OPITO and SQA, as well as in-house training for Competence Assessors and Verifiers.

Mintra is a leading provider of digital learning and human capital management systems for safety-critical industries worldwide. Mintra develops and deploys software solutions that enable its clients to develop and deploy their people, readily demonstrate compliance and maximise operational efficiency. From its headquarters in Bergen and offices in Oslo, Stavanger, Aberdeen, Dubai, Cyprus, India and Singapore, Mintra serves the training, HR, payroll and workforce management needs of organisations operating in the maritime and energy sectors.

For more information please contact ewenc@itbltd.co.uk