We have a range of online learning courses available via our online and blended learning portal PLUS.

In January 2015, we launched our online and blended learning portal PLUS enabling us to provide online, cost effective, high quality training.

PLUS enables us to support those who prefer online learning, it allows us to bring groups of learners together for online meetings, and it allows us to extend the learning process through a combination of workshops and online learning.

Learners tell us PLUS is engaging, easy to use and the support from their trainers has been fantastic.  Our client training managers make use of the client reporting to track progress and they appreciate the cost savings.  Our Polaris Learning trainers find it is a great way to provide bite-sized learning.

SQA L&D9DI ASSESS WORKPLACE COMPETENCE USING DIRECT AND INDIRECT METHODS 

This qualification is suitable for people who assess the competence of individuals within a competency based assessment system using direct and indirect methods of assessment.

Your assessors will learn what is expected from them as workplace assessors, the key steps of the assessment process and the skills they need in order to be effective assessors. This qualification is internationally recognised and is accepted by industry bodies such as OPITO.

We can build your assessment paperwork and assessment process into the online learning so that the assessors not only achieve an internationally recognised qualification but also leave with a better understanding of their role once they return to the workplace.

Although we need to help the assessor complete the qualification, we do not believe you can throw assessors into the qualification without training on how to assess, what to assess, when to assess and how to handle difficult questions.

We want the assessors to finish their learning and understand what is expected of them in their role and how to use your company’s assessment paperwork and assessment process.

We start with an online meeting (webinar) to introduce the assessors to the qualification and also to PLUS.  For those who can not make it, an on demand copy is available on PLUS so they can watch it at a time that suits them.

Your assessors then work through six online modules:

Following completion of the online modules and assessment planning, the learner completes the necessary work to generate the evidence required by the qualification back in their workplace.  This includes the assessment of two individuals.

SQA L&D11 INTERNALLY MONITOR AND MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF WORKPLACE ASSESSMENT

Firstly, for your internal verifiers to succeed, we believe that they must be trained on your verification process.

We recommend that we build your quality processes and paperwork into the online learning.  This means that the verifiers not only achieve an internationally recognised qualification but also leave with a better understanding of what to do back in their workplace.

Secondly, internal verifiers usually have two responsibilities: supporting assessors and carrying out the process of internal verification (or auditing the assessments).

We address both of these aspects in the initial online learning before supporting your internal verifiers through the qualification.

We want your verifiers to not only complete their qualification but also understand what is expected of them in their role, how to use your company’s assessment paperwork and assessment process, and how to be effective internal verifiers.

We start with an online meeting (webinar) to introduce the verifiers to the qualification, the learning modules on PLUS and how to make the most of PLUS. For those who cannot make it, an on-demand copy is available on PLUS.

Your verifiers then work through six online modules.  The online modules provide an overview of the key requirements of the role.  They also enable learners to start finding out about their own organisation’s assessment and verification processes, their procedures and their paperwork.

Following completion of the online modules, the learner completes the necessary work to generate the evidence required by the qualification back in their workplace.  This includes the completion of two candidate reports and an SQA L&D11 Knowledge Assignment.

ASSESSOR AND VERIFIER CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE

The training with practical assessment (certificate of competence) option allows your assessors and verifiers to receive the relevant training to work as assessors or verifiers, but instead of a full qualification, they complete a short practical assessment in the workplace.

If you currently cannot go to your workplace, then you can complete the online learning and you may be able to complete the assessments remotely or you can complete the assessments once you are able to be back in the workplace.

We can build in your assessment paperwork and assessment process into the online learning so that assessors leave with a better understanding of their role.

ASSESSOR

This involves the provision of an online training process which includes the completion of a formal knowledge-based assignment and practical assessment back in the workplace which is reviewed by a Polaris Learning Consultant.  

The online modules are:

• Module 1: Introduction to Assessment
• Module 2: Planning and Assessing Competence
• Module 3: Providing Feedback
• Module 4: Assessor Assignment

On completion of this, a Polaris Learning Certificate of Competence is awarded.

VERIFIER

This involves the provision of an online training process which includes the completion of formal knowledge assignments.  This would typically take one day to complete.

The online modules are:

• Module 1: Assessment Refresher
• Module 2: Introduction to Internal Verification
• Module 3: Planning Sampling Activities
• Module 4: Monitoring Assessment Practice
• Module 5: External QA Requirements
• Module 6: Case Study

Following completion of the online modules, the learner completes the necessary work to generate the evidence required by the qualification back in their workplace.  This includes the completion of two candidate reports and an SQA L&D11 Knowledge Assignment.

SVQ LEVEL 3 IN MANAGEMENT

The Level 3 SVQ in Management is designed for managers who want to develop their people management skills as well as demonstrate their competence in management.

You will have the opportunity to complete online learning, you will be sign-posted to other online resources to research and you will be asked to complete work-based activities which will help you apply what you are learning to your role and your organisation.  Many of us currently are working from home.  You will be able to do some of the activities remotely and others you may have to wait to do once you are back in your workplace but you can complete the online learning.

These activities will also contribute to the evidence that you need to gather for your qualification.

The combination of learning and activities will help you build your knowledge, skills, tool set and methodologies, giving you resources that you can call on as you progress in your management career.

The online learning modules you will work through are:

• Self Development and Coaching Others
• The Effective Manager
• Performance Management
• Operational Management

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT ESSENTIALS ENDORSED BY THE ILM

Our own programmes were created by ourselves and draw on over twenty-two years of experience delivering leadership development programmes.

They can be tailored for future supervisors, team leaders and managers as well as those people already in these roles.

We work closely with your managers to help them:

• Excel as managers, living your organisation’s vision, values and culture, and supporting their teams to do the same
• Giving them the skills, knowledge and behaviours to be competent in their role, understanding how to lead and the impact that their leadership has on their team
• Being clear on their responsibilities and having the confidence and tools to have difficult conversations, manage performance on a daily basis and drive their teams forward

We allocate each learner a Polaris Learning consultant who works closely with the learner.

We build in a series of live webinars or on demand webinars to support the learning process. Client reporting is built in as standard so you can keep track of progress.

The duration of the programme can be organised to suit your requirements and we can facilitate the completion of this over a short or longer period of time.

Learners will be required to work through five online modules and will receive feedback as they work through the individual modules.  The online modules are:

STANDALONE MODULES

We also have a list of standalone modules within PLUS for people to choose from including:

• Communication for Managers
• Motivation for Performance
• Leadership Skills
• Leading Change
• Coaching Skills for Managers
• Effective Manager
• Performance Management
• Operational Management
• Self Development and Coaching Others
• Assessor Refresher Training
• Internal Audit
• Lean Management

Food Hygiene and and Introduction to Lean Management are coming soon.

TAILORED ONLINE COURSES

We provide tailored online courses hosted within PLUS or within your own learning management system.