Using Learning Pool’s Totara Learn-based platform, in just twelve weeks a new ELevate was born. The core content was made up of some generic training modules, together with a set of compliance modules on subjects like safeguarding, health and safety and fire safety.

Certifications were put in place for the mandatory courses and a schedule of recertification created. An Induction Programme was also created, particularly important for part-time workers who are often not able to join a face-to-face session or who work weekends. As part of the first phase, a GDPR module was also developed, using Articulate. Learners had a tight deadline to complete this, so it was an ideal piece of content to get staff logged in and engaging with the new system.

Key to the platform’s success was always going to centre around communication. In advance of the launch, the L&D team engaged with the Chief Executive, senior leaders, managers and venue-based L&D staff to raise its profile. The staff newsletter was used to ‘trail’ the launch, together with an all-staff update.

In the weeks following the launch, a member of the L&D team visited every venue and conducted a presentation and demo of the system and was on hand to answer queries and most import to them, to listen. They also attended management team meetings and staff training sessions, gathering feedback on the platform and ideas for its future use.

With a lot of part-time staff and roles that have high staff churn, it was really important for staff to have a flexible way of accessing these modules easily and quickly.

Following the initial phase, automated reports for managers were created so that they could monitor mandatory training within their teams. This has been extremely positively received by managers who are now actively using ELevate to access ‘just in time’, up to date training data when they need it.