No, there aren't 2000 of them, but since March this year we've been focussing on a different training-related organisation each month, bringing you an insight into the way that they work, the issues currently affecting them and the things they're doing that are currently making the news.
We've brought all of them together for you here. Read on and enjoy!
March: Ian Clague, BlueU.
BlueU.com are one of the UK's new e-learning companies. Founded only a year ago, BlueU.com has already created significant market awareness, created a substantial content portfolio and pioneered a number of new developments. This week, TrainingZONE interviewed Ian Clague, the man behind the company.
May: Dr Javier Bajer, The Talent Foundation.
The Talent Foundation was launched on March 20th of this year to "provide pragmatic and innovative answers for the development of Talent in the world of work". The Foundation, which is a not-for-profit, independent organisation operating globally, is funded by a broad spectrum of supporters ranging from voluntary sector organisations like the RSA and the Campaign for Learning, to major corporations including Spring and Andersen Consulting. TrainingZONE spoke to the Foundation's CEO, Dr Javier Bajer, about the interesting work the Foundation has been commisionning on 'learning to learn'.
June: Jenny Daisley, The Springboard Consultancy.
The Springboard Consultancy were celebrating the tenth anniversary of women's development programme Springboard when we spoke to them. Since the programme began in the BBC, it has spread to cover 14 different countries using a network of over 380 trainers. 300 companies in the UK have sent employees on the programme so far, including a number of local councils, banks and universities. A 'brother' programme for men has also been launched. TrainingZONE spoke to co-founder and chief executive Jenny Daisley about the way that changes in society and the workplace in the last decade have impacted upon their work.
July: Professor Steve Molyneux, the Learning Lab.
Based at Wolverhampton University, The Learning Lab has been established as a European centre of excellence to develop and showcase applications of learning technologies within the education and training sector. Launched in November last year, the Learning Lab was formed as a collaboration between Professor Steve Molyneux of the University, Microsoft and ICL. It has a number of founding members who have contributed financially to the Lab, and who will be collaborating on ICT-based projects, but the Lab also offers advice and information to any interested organisations interested in developing or using technologies for learning. TrainingZONE spoke to Steve Molyneux, Director of the Learning Lab about the work of the Lab and how he views the current state of online and computer-based technologies for learning.
August: David Wilson, eLearnity.
Founded in 1996, eLearnity specialise in consultancy for technology-based learning, advising and helping to implement e-learning programmes within organisations. eLearnity will help an organisation to identify suitable methods of course design and development, technical customisation and integration, and implementation support using a range of products including e-Learning technologies from Asymetrix, Centra, Lotus, Macromedia and Microsoft. TrainingZONE spoke to founder and MD David Wilson for some interesting insights into cutting through the 'e-learning hype'.
September: Donald Clark, Epic Group Plc.
Formed 17 years ago, Epic Group Plc is the largest producer of bespoke interactive learning programmes in the UK, providing integrated learning and business solutions through digital technology and instructional design. Recent clients have included Vision Express, British Airways and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Epic also provide advice and technology for e-business and government, including internet and intranet developments, design and management of major portal sites and delivery of online learning.
TrainingZONE spoke to CEO Donald Clark about, among other things, digital delivery and the use of WAP phones for training - the shape of things to come!
October: Tony Green, Employment NTO.
With the changes surrounding the Learning and Skills Council, National Training Organisations are finding the world is changing quickly around them. At the CIPD show this month, TrainingZONE took the opportunity to talk to Employment National Training Organisation (EmpNTO) Chief Executive Tony Green about some hot topics: namely, the process of revising the old TDLB standards, the incoming Learning and Skills Council, that old chestnut, 'skills shortages' and the Department for Education and Employment's recent suggestion that the number of NTOs would need to be reduced in order for them to function successfully.
November: Michael Wills MP.
The government themselves to answer back in November through written questions given to the MP responsible for learning and technology. Michael Wills, whose full title is Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Learning and Technology, reports to Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett at the Department for Education and Employment. Wills has responsibility for ICT in education and employment, the National Grid for Learning, the University for Industry and learndirect (with Baroness Blackstone), broadcasting and the development of home-based learning, relationships with employers and workforce development. With a portfolio like that we were keen to get him to comment for us on some of the developments currently coming out of the DfEE.
December: Brian Merison and Sarah Bell, British Association for Open Learning.
BAOL, the British Association for Open Learning formed in 1990 as a result of a merger between the National Open Learning Association (NOLA) and the Supervisory Management Open Learning Federation (SMOLF). BAOL today is a national cross-sector association for open learning, with a membership including corporate users, education and training providers, TECs, government organisations and specialist open learning providers. It exists to 'promote quality and best practice in open, flexible and distance forms of learning throughout the education and training sectors of the UK, Europe and internationally'. TrainingZONE spoke to Brian Merison, General Manager and Sarah Bell, Marketing and Development Manager about the role of the association and current issues affecting its members.
We hope you've found our (almost a) year in interviews interesting and informative. Stay tuned for some more exclusives from TrainingZONE in the new year!
