Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council signs up to e-learning
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough council are using learndirect – the UK’s largest online learning provider - for staff training via the internet.
The council has more than 3,500 employees and has offered each individual the chance to take a course of their choice.
Principal Human Resources Service Advisor at Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council, Lee Williams, said, "We are keen to develop the workforce skills in order to improve customer service and maintain our status as employer of choice. learndirect has helped us achieve our goal by offering a variety of comprehensive training packages for the workplace. Employees at all levels of the organisation can now obtain new skills and carry out their learning at work."
The Authority has been working with Acom Business UK to establish appropriate training packages. Sixty per cent of council staff have now signed up to courses with learndirect, covering a range of disciplines from basic skills to intermediate IT skills.
Business development director at Acom, Karin Rees said: "The flexibility of online learning provides an ideal training solution for large organisations. We have worked closely with the HR department at Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council to ensure their training needs are met. We have devised a tailor-made package through learndirect and we will continue to monitor the training programme as the organisation's requirements change and develop."
Mr. Williams added, "The accessibility of learndirect is key in its appeal. E-learning removes the need for employees to leave the office for training and allows learning to take place at workstations. The courses are broken down into clear, concise modules and learners can progress at their own pace, with advice and support immediately to hand through a local IT helpline. Ultimately, this offers a time-efficient and cost-effective training solution for us."
"Feedback has already highlighted the benefits of the course content. Allowing employees to up-skill in work time will boost morale and increase productivity and we envisage that calls to the IT helpdesk will decrease as individual competence rises. learndirect has provided an ideal solution for us and I am sure our relationship will develop further in the future."
Head of learndirect in Wales, Jeff Greenidge said, "It is very encouraging to see public sector organisations recognising the potential of e-learning. learndirect enables businesses to offer high quality, flexible courses that can be followed without disrupting day to day duties. In a situation where a large number of staff are in need of training, it can prove difficult and expensive for employers. It is great to see the flexibility of learndirect working to the advantage of organisations in Wales and I look forward to increasing our offer to Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council."
