Focus on training benefits colleagues, clients and customers

Catalyst Services UK is on track to complete its most comprehensive programme of annual colleague training, with more than 500 hours of training delivered so far in 2025 across all teams.

The company has revised its training schedule to ensure more courses are completed in the first half of the year, a move already paying dividends by raising training take-up.

Catalyst Business Improvement Manager Yvonne Bardsley recommended the more intensive schedule so courses are completed in a timely way and colleagues get the most from the training.

Bespoke coaching and training

She said: “We’re always looking at ways to improve how we do things, and this is an example of that process. Training has always been a priority for us, which is why we’re doing things differently.

“It makes sure our standard refresher training is done thoroughly, and it creates space in the training diary for bespoke coaching and training, for example for specific clients or for further team development.

“We consider the quality of training is more important than quantity, but every team member at Catalyst is scheduled to undergo nearly 20 hours of refresher training every year. New starter training occurs over an initial three month period.

“In addition, our Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) course candidates receive protected study time, while our CII apprentices allocate 20% of their working week to training and personal development.”

Meeting client needs

All courses are delivered through the Catalyst Training Academy, which also provides courses for the company’s clients and other insurance claims industry professionals.

Training is delivered under three categories – technical, governance, and health and safety training, and are designed specifically to meet the needs of Catalyst’s insurance clients.

Governance course topics include GDPR, vulnerable customers, phishing, complaints management, conflict of interest, bribery and corruption,  modern slavery, and many more.

Technical training includes comprises drainage, including WRc sewer coding, water supply pipes and leak detection, subsidence investigations, cost management, and specialist claims handling.

In-house e-learning

Much of the governance training is delivered through bespoke in-house e-learning courses, developed and overseen by Yvonne Bardsley. Technical training is designed and delivered by Catalyst operations director Paul Duddle.

Yvonne Bardsley said: “Out internal training is a foundation element of career development at Catalyst. We want all colleagues to want to continuously learn and feel fulfilled. That way the capabilities of our teams grow with the business and shares our desire to provide the best possible service for insurance clients and their customers.”

Find out more

Catalyst delivers a comprehensive range of high-quality belowground and home emergency services to resolve claims on behalf of a growing number of insurance providers, brokers, and loss adjusters.

They include: drainage investigations and repairs (mains and off-mains), water supply pipe repairs and replacement, water leak detection, subsidence investigations, and environmental services.

Telephone: 0333 004 8008

Email: [email protected]