3T Energy Group are a leading training and simulator specialist for the global energy industry. 

Group President Paul Stonebanks discusses the company’s use of digitalisation, virtual reality and advanced simulation as a cutting-edge approach to traditional training solutions. 

Can you tell us about the decision to create 3T energy group from the merger of Drilling Systems and AIS Training? 

This decision has always been focused on technology. 

I founded AIS in 2007 and went on to build the company into a multi-million-pound global operation in industrial training and technology. 

At the same-time I was well-aware of Drilling Systems and the technologies it was developing. 

No other solution exists in the market-place which combines traditional training with cutting-edge technology. 

Blue Water Energy acquired Drilling Systems in 2015 and from here the idea for 3T Energy Group evolved. 

Last year the momentous decision was made to combine both companies to create 3T Energy Group.

What impact has this had on the creation of new jobs? What has been your growth strategy? 

In terms of our growth strategy, we are looking to double our workforce over the next five years, open new training centres and expand our global reach. 

Currently we employ approximately 300 people and we are looking to increase employment by at least another 300 people in the next 3-4 years. 

We have ambitious plans and really want to transform the way the industry develops its workforce so we will be leading the field for others to follow. 

How does 3T energy group aim to transform training in the energy sector? 

3T will use training, competency and safety management systems and integrate them through e-learn to transform the way training is managed. 

Our integrated software allows real-time access to training records, course bookings and skills certificates. 

These systems also allow companies to track performance, monitor and manage workforce skills gaps and financially forecast current and future training needs at the touch of a button. 

This genuine operational intelligence will provide invaluable strategic information to help companies plan for future needs, at the same time as substantially reducing the amount of time and cost involved in managing skills and competencies. 

3T is also investing heavily in onsite training technology such as mobile full capability simulators so that training, competency and assessment can be conducted in the field however remote the location with realistic simulated scenarios and data. 

This technology is already in the field with Drilling Systems’ On-The –Rig (OTR) product being used by a number of customers. 

Having training technology in the field saves significant time and money as workers don’t need to be transported elsewhere for continuous learning and assessment. 

Skills can be delivered in situ keeping standards high and consistent. What role does digitalisation and technology play in 3T energy groups training? 

As a business currently we are doing traditional training, that some other training providers would do but we also mix in other technologies to help learning. 

For us, technology is at the centre of everything we do. 

The technology I mentioned before; training management software, competency management, linking to e- learn, v- learn, virtual reality, we are harnessing all of them together to create a powerful way of developing personnel. 

Are there any savings on cost or time that the industry can expect from 3T’s training? 

Our customers already save, we have proven we can already save our customers 20% through our approach and we expect to take that up to 30% to save on training costs overall. 

Through technology we believe we can save customers another 20% on travel, accommodation etc and we can also improve performance by 20%. 

That is the key part - improving performance, safety and operations overall. 

It’s what we aim for. 

How important is training in today’s market? 

What could companies be doing to improve on this? I think technology is key to advancement. 

In the industry now they are doing a phenomenal job of keeping standards very high. 

However, now it’s about how we can make that better, how can we decrease costs, how can we improve the performance. 

We will use our extensive experience and innovative approach to help the industry achieve this. 

What are 3T Energy Groups future plans? 

We want to bring technology and traditional training together and leverage our expertise and assets across the global marketplace. 

We really want training centres to adopt our our systems, software and simulators and work alongside each other so that the industry as a whole can utilize data to work better and safer.