Unlocking Workplace Potential with The Occupational Psychology Centre
In today’s highly competitive and performance-driven industries, organisations face increasing pressure to build resilient, efficient, and safety-conscious teams. This is especially critical in sectors such as transport and logistics, where human error can have serious consequences. One UK-based organisation that has been pivotal in supporting companies through science-backed psychological services is The Occupational Psychology Centre.
Founded in 1995 and based in Watford, England, The Occupational Psychology Centre (OPC) is a specialist consultancy in occupational and business psychology. With over two decades of experience and a proven track record in transport and other safety-critical sectors, OPC offers reliable, tailored services that enable organisations to recruit smarter, manage better, and ultimately perform at their peak.
About The Occupational Psychology Centre
Website and Contact Details
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Website: https://www.theopc.co.uk
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Headquarters: 1 Wellstones, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 2AE, United Kingdom
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Phone: +44 1923 234646
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Founded: 1995
What Is the Occupational Psychology Centre?
The Occupational Psychology Centre is comprised of two sister companies:
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The Occupational Psychology Centre (OPC) – the consultancy arm providing expert advice and training.
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OPC Assessment – the test development arm offering a range of psychometric tools.
Together, these arms work in synergy to offer a holistic approach to talent acquisition, workforce development, and performance improvement.
Services Offered by The Occupational Psychology Centre
Psychological Consultancy
At the heart of OPC’s services lies its expert psychological consultancy. These services are tailored to the unique needs of clients, particularly those operating in high-risk and safety-critical environments like rail, aviation, and public transport. Key areas of focus include:
Selection and Assessment
OPC helps employers identify the right candidates using scientifically validated methods. This includes:
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Structured interviews
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Role-relevant situational judgement tests
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Job simulation exercises
Safety Culture and Human Factors
Improving organisational safety culture is one of OPC’s standout offerings. Their consultants analyse human factors influencing safety and help introduce training, monitoring, and management changes to mitigate risks.
Post-Incident Assessment
After workplace incidents, OPC provides psychological assessments to support employees and determine their fitness to return to duty.
Psychometric Tests and Exercises
Under its OPC Assessment wing, the organisation offers more than 80 reliable and valid psychometric tools. These assessments fall into several core series:
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Customer Service Series: Evaluating soft skills, empathy, and communication.
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Professional Series: Assessing decision-making, resilience, and leadership.
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Safety Series: Focused on vigilance, rules orientation, and risk management.
Their psychometric tools are frequently used in train driver recruitment, air traffic control, and other roles requiring sustained attention and low error tolerance.
Training and Development
OPC doesn’t just assess – it empowers organisations by building in-house capability through bespoke training. Programmes include:
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Train-the-Trainer in Psychometrics: Accredited courses to use OPC tools in-house.
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Competency-Based Interviewing Skills: Helping recruiters make informed, structured hiring decisions.
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Non-Technical Skills (NTS) Workshops: Focusing on communication, teamwork, and decision-making – crucial for safe and efficient operations.
Why Choose The Occupational Psychology Centre?
Deep Sector Expertise
With more than 21 years in the field, OPC has carved out a unique niche in the transport and safety-critical sectors. Their consultants understand the challenges specific to these environments and design interventions that truly resonate with operational realities.
Evidence-Based Approach
Every tool and methodology employed by OPC is grounded in occupational psychology principles and rigorous validation. This ensures both legal defensibility and practical impact.
Human-Centred Philosophy
OPC’s aim is not just to assess and critique, but to build people up. Whether it’s identifying high-potential candidates or helping employees bounce back after incidents, their work is underpinned by a belief in human potential and growth.
What People Are Saying
While OPC has garnered praise for its technical expertise and range of tools, some user reviews on Google reflect mixed experiences, particularly around customer service. For instance, one reviewer mentioned “rude reception staff,” while another highlighted that “the OPC gets paid regardless of pass or failure.”
However, these concerns should be weighed against the broader impact of their services, especially the value provided to large organisations in safety-focused industries.
Company Snapshot
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | The Occupational Psychology Centre |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Location | Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom |
| Website | https://www.theopc.co.uk |
| Employees | 11–50 |
| Specialties | Selection & Assessment, Psychometrics, Safety, Job Analysis, Post-Incident Support, Non-Technical Skills |
Specialties in Detail
Job Analysis and Competency Profiling
OPC uses a structured approach to understanding the roles they help assess. They break down job roles into key competencies, ensuring assessments are relevant, targeted, and legally defensible.
Human Factors and Safety-Critical Work
In high-stakes environments like railways or aviation, even minor psychological lapses can have major consequences. OPC’s interventions are designed to enhance attention, decision-making, and stress resilience – factors often missed by standard recruitment processes.
Validation Studies
Their psychologists work closely with clients to validate new or existing assessment processes. This ensures tools measure what they are intended to and remain legally compliant.
Conclusion
In an era where organisations are only as strong as their people, The Occupational Psychology Centre offers a compelling blend of science, empathy, and practical expertise. Their tailored psychometric tools, consultancy services, and specialised training programmes make them a critical partner for organisations looking to optimise performance and safety.
Whether you are hiring your next train driver or redefining your company’s safety culture, OPC’s holistic and research-led approach ensures you’re not just compliant – you’re ahead of the curve.
