Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/124894
Learning leverage the potential of the IT infrastructure available to support social learning. Learningzone are one of the first units in the bank who have built a portal, providing another channel to distribute content and engage individuals in the continuous learning as part of their role. ensure just in time training for key topics and challenges that business units face on an ongoing basis. These master class sessions are delivered around a conference table or in a theatre style setting, providing flexibility in terms of participant numbers. Still Further Learningzone have now expanded its service to include delivering training for customers and strategic partners of the bank. A range of business, personal development, and management programmes are offered to small and medium enterprise customers of the bank as part of the organisations commitment to helping and supporting customers. These programmes are offered free of charge and have made a significant impact on the reputation and brand of the bank with its customers. Learningzone also trains employees of the bank's strategic partners to ensure that they meet the competency levels that the bank requires from its strategic partners. As part of the bank's corporate social responsibility agenda, Learningzone trains representatives from hundreds of charitable organisations on a range of programmes. Outside the classroom, Learningzone provides a range of in-house built and externally sourced web-based training (WBT) programmes for bank customers via the bank of Ireland Group web site. For broad communications, Learningzone write and publishe a targeted email campaign to executives and senior management on a regular basis. This email focusses on current business and leadership topics and includes links to recognised leadership and industry resources. It also directs the reader to internal training resources and includes links to training supports or interesting and relevant article Additionally, the senior executive population are a group of people that Learningzone identified as key champions for capability development and Learningzone. They are a group that have development requirements but are time-poor, so engaging them in traditional learning programmes proved difficult. Learningzone introduced a range of initiatives targeting this group in order to market the function and increase brand awareness, while providing short, sharp capability uplift opportunities. For the iPhone world, launching the Learningzone app and also the management modules via the iPhone was specifically aimed at this population, as iPhones are supplied on a top down approach in the organisation. Meanwhile, Learningzone have access to a pool of external experts who provide master class sessions on a variety of topics aligned to business strategies and challenges. Learningzone adapt and tailor the content and audience as required and use this flexible training delivery method to Diagram 4: Hosted on Bank of Ireland Website for Customers A Holistic Success Learningzone are committed to delivering a holistic range of services that deliver a wide range of development programmes to staff meeting business and individual development requirements. Learning in Bank of Ireland has been transformed by combining delivery of a high quality curriculum with effective IT systems, measurement, evaluation, recording, and reporting. A major uplift in quality, consistency, rigor, governance, design, development, delivery, and evaluation of programmes has been achieved, while realising a 30 percent reduction in annual cost. Through use of new technologies and methodologies, a shift from 99 percent classroom to 40 percent web and 60 percent information and learning technology (ILT) has been achieved that meets the changing needs and expectations of employees. The introduction of new approaches, methodologies, technologies, and a change in mindset has increased usage of the learning service and placed it on a business partnership footing within the organization. The Learningzone model has proven that a continuous focus on innovation and delivery of a best in class service to employees with a strong focus on return on investment will ensure Bank of Ireland continues to deliver a world-class learning service to their workforce, equipping the organization with the skills and capabilities that it needs to succeed in the future. Eamonn Eaton is head of group learning and engagement at Bank of Ireland. Diagram 5: 'All About Business' – Customer Training WINTER 2013 | www.hroglobal.com [31]