Wireline Magazine Autumn 2020 Issue 49

and really create process upsets that reflect what the person would face in the real world.” Moreover, most elements can be tailored and altered according to the organisation, asset and even individual job level, adding to the sense of realism. All scenarios are controlled and overseen by an Erisort assessor, with virtual break out rooms where they and the students can offer feedback and discuss the team’s performance. Indeed, despite the lack of a physical presence, the assessor’s feedback is enhanced by the online suite, largely because of the greater ability to capture data during the exercise, “far in excess of what you can do in a traditional sim,” Macleod notes. “Every keystroke that someone does on the sim is tracked. I can see exactly when an action is taken and it’s all evidence-based – that’s what a lot of organisations want to see now.” The opportunity to conduct training sessions without co-located teams offers additional flexibility for clients as well, enabling Erisort to run weekly or monthly sessions as opposed to concurrent days. This frees up travel budgets and managers’ time – both valuable commodities – and in turn may help to reduce the carbon impact of international travel. (Macleod’s office in Lewis is also powered by a 5kWwind turbine, meaning the whole company is, at present, net zero carbon). “When we started, we were looking very much at a solution based on COVID restrictions. But what we’ve learnt developing this is that a lot of clients are looking at it from a broader base and with a longer-term vision. One of the great things we can do with this software is to help reduce the carbon impact through training and contribute to organisation’s net zero targets,” he continues. Transforming through technology Despite the setbacks of coronavirus, 3t Energy Group president Paul Stonebanks is upbeat with regards to the impact of lockdown on the group’s plans. With demand for training steady or rising, the ability to manage and provide many of those services has helped grow his pipeline of new business. “It’s proved huge, in terms of further tangible opportunities, and the team has been able to improve products and develop some of the

Right: Erisort's E-Sim suite replicates process safety incidents with a high level of immersion and realism.

more innovation type projects. I’m more than pleased with our progress,” he tells Wireline . 3t is a four-strong group of companies focused on transforming learning with training, simulators, software and technology. Comprised of AIS Training, Survivex, Drilling Systems and latest spin-out Transform, it offers training services across the energy sector - from fire, safety and BOSIET through to e-learning and role-specific simulation modules for drilling or crane operators - as well as the tools and management systems to help businesses keep track of staff training and competency. The year began with a statement of intent, as Transform moved from a supporting unit of AIS and Survivex to a standalone business within the group. Now with its own locations in Newcastle and Aberdeen, as well as global capacity in China, US and the Middle East, Stonebanks says this is a key part of the group’s strategy going forward. Transform provides smart software to help manage the end-to-end journey of workforce management including training. This runs from recognising a trainee’s location and advising them and their employer of the nearest training location, priming themwith information ahead of the session, right through to recording and integrating their results within their employer’s HR systems. “It has developed technology for a number of years, and it’s actually helped differentiate ourselves from the standard training business into something a bit

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