Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/124894
Learning In 2012 Learningzone counted many achievements: • 10,711 classroom student course completions • More than 73,000 web module registrations • 55 new programmes designed in-house and added to the curriculum of more than 400 programmes business unit objectives. These academies provide specialist programmes for small numbers of people, allowing the individual control over career development. Continuous Improvement During the course of 2012, the Learningzone team focussed on a number of areas that they believed were of strategic importance to the continuous enhancement and improvement of the range of services available. The organisation recognised that leadership and management capability were critical enablers of mobilising the workforce to achieve the bank's priorities and strategy. Through the Learningzone service, the bank invested heavily in leadership and management development with more than 1,800 managers attending programmes in a 24-month period. As these programmes were developed and delivered internally by Learningzone, the bank decided to seek external validation of the content through certification. Certification predicated on work-based assignments also supported transfer of learning back to the workplace. The full suite of classroom and web programmes were assessed and certified by a leading university, and participants on these in-house programmes can now obtain qualifications up to post-graduate level. This was the first time that the university had accredited an "in-company" designed and delivered programme to post-grad level. Further externally recognised qualifications have been achieved for the change curriculum, which is now certified through a leading business school. Both qualification programmes involve a combination of participation in classroom modules, completion of web modules, work based assignments, formal presentations, and online exams. Learningzone has further enhanced their suite of offerings by delivering learning academies for niche and specialist teams within the organisation. With finance, procurement, and change provided, academies staff in specialist areas have access to best-in-class learning from a specialist skill perspective. The academies are web-based, providing flexibility for staff in these specialist areas to undertake programmes aligned to their The partnership model presented Learningzone with the opportunity to leverage technology and reinvigorate the way employees learn. Emerging technology enabled a shift from a single-distribution method—classroom— to a blended distribution model, using alternative, flexible, technologybased delivery channels that the learner can access at any time, with the minimal amount of effort and quite literally at the touch of a button. Technology has provided new ways to reach and engage with learners that pushes the boundaries of the service and presents opportunities through expanded delivery channels. Learningzone has successfully introduced a Learningzone training app for smartphone users that provides another "just-in-time," anytime-anyplace channel to access learning. The app contains "A Managers Pocket Guide," which includes topics such as management tip sheet, coaching, innovation, and creativity. A pipeline of other topics has been created, which has adapted technology to fit the needs of the business and empowering employees to access their learning remotely, thus providing better individual control over career development. Learningzone added to the suite of courses with the "Manager Toolkit" (MTK) suite of courses, available via the web and also on the iPhone. These programmes sourced and licensed from a global tier 1 university are aimed primarily at the most senior end of the leadership and management population. Social learning has also been identified as a new and progressive delivery method of instruction that would appeal to a segment of the bank's target market and also provide an infrastructure and environment for the participation in, and engagement of, a learner's pre- and post-formal learning events. By developing a learning portal, Learningzone provides pre-reading and resources to familiarise the learner with a range of programme topics and allows them to discuss these topics with peers and trainers alike. After their learning course, it also provides the infrastructure to discuss key items, current issues, and further learning, and it formally establishes a network of experts. The outsourcing partnership provided Learningzone access to resources and expertise that were required to Learning Materials, Tools and Aids Diagram 1: Screenshot of Mobile Learning App [30] HRO TODAY GLOBAL | WINTER 2013 Diagram 2: SharePoint Portal Diagram 3: 'My Learningzone' Portal Page