Selecting a Training Partner

Choosing a training partner is about more than finding a provider who can deliver a course. The right partner should help your organisation build capability, improve performance and create value that lasts beyond the training itself. Here is a practical checklist to support your decision making.

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1. Do they understand your business goals, not just your training needs?

A strong training partner should begin with understanding the outcomes you want to achieve. That might mean improving productivity, reducing waste, strengthening leadership, supporting change, or building problem-solving capability. And training needs rarely sit in one narrow area: many organisations need support across improvement, agility, leadership and change. A provider specialising in operational excellence with a broad range of courses can help create more joined-up capability.

At Catalyst, we offer a comprehensive range of courses in the field ot continuous improvement and business transformation so that training can be aligned to wider business improvement and transformation goals and learning supports practical business outcomes.

2. Do they offer training that is practical and relevant to the workplace?

Training is more effective when people can apply it to real situations. Look for a provider that uses practical examples, case studies, exercises and discussion that reflect the reality of your organisation.

At Catalyst we place strong emphasis on workplace relevance, helping participants connect learning to live business challenges and day-to-day performance improvement.

3. Are the trainers experienced practitioners?

The best training is usually delivered by people who have real experience, not just subject knowledge. A practitioner-led approach can make learning more credible, more useful and easier to apply.

Catalyst’s offer is especially strong here, with training shaped by practical improvement and transformation experience, not theory alone. Our trainers are hands-on experienced practitioners in their field.

4. Can they show how training will support ROI?

A good training partner should be able to explain how learning will contribute to outcomes such as greater efficiency, better decision-making, stronger leadership, improved delivery, reduced rework, or more sustainable internal capability.

At Catalyst, the focus is not just on course completion. It is on helping organisations build capability that leads to measurable business improvement over time. A recent engagement delivered a 4,096% ROI alongside £480k cost savings, increased productivity and faster lead times.

5. What reputable industry bodies are they accredited by? What independent certifications do they offer?

In some areas, external accreditation adds credibility and gives employers confidence in the quality and consistency of training. It can also increase the value of the learning for employees. Check out the details of our accreditation partners and certification courses.

6. Can they support different learning styles and delivery needs?

A good partner should be flexible enough to work around your business. That may include virtual delivery, in-person learning, self-paced options, blended programmes, or tailored in-company sessions.

We offer a range of delivery formats, making it easier to support individuals, teams and wider organisational learning needs.

7. Will they tailor the learning where needed?

Not every organisation needs an off-the-shelf solution. In many cases, the most effective training is adapted to your people, your challenges and your operating environment. Catalyst can support both open training and more bespoke in-company delivery, helping organisations match learning more closely to real business requirements.

8. Do they support learning beyond the classroom?

Training has more impact when people are supported after the session ends. Coaching, follow-up support and opportunities to reinforce learning can make a real difference to long-term results.

Our broader approach to support and capability-building can help organisations embed learning more effectively rather than treating training as a one-off event.

9. Are they focused on long-term capability, not just short-term delivery?

A training partner should help your organisation become stronger and more self-sufficient over time. The goal is not just to run a course, but to leave behind better skills, stronger confidence and greater ownership within your teams. That long-term capability focus is a key part of the Catalyst proposition, particularly for organisations looking to create sustainable improvement and lasting transformation.

Another aspect to consider is whether your training partner can help you build on the skills you’ve acquired with follow-on courses and support your development at the next level. For example, if you’re now a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, what next?

Whilst some learners opt for a standalone qualification, others value a progression pathway. Our portfolio of courses offers clear pathways, for example an improvement practitioner can progress from Lean Six Sigma White Belt to Green Belt to Black Belt and beyond, while our Lean pathway moves from introductory courses up to Advanced Lean Practitioner and on to more advanced improvement and leadership programmes.

10. Can they support improvement beyond the training room?

Training is only part of the picture. The best partners can help you apply learning in practice through consulting, diagnostics, project coaching, facilitation and hands-on support. This helps ensure new skills are translated into measurable business results rather than remaining as theory.

Catalyst Consulting offers an integrated blend of training, diagnostics, consultancy and project support, helping organisations develop capability and deliver sustainable results.