In an ever changing and challenging business world, many companies are increasing investment in maintaining and growing their market position and this often means investing in internal Learning and Development (L&D) resources and programmes. This can be enhanced by using a Managed Learning Service (MLS), which is one of the most cost effective and efficient resources at an L&D manager’s disposal, yet despite its success, is often clouded with misconceptions.

Any learning can present its own unique management challenges by requiring a certain skill set that may not always be available internally or is much needed elsewhere in the business, so drawing on essential expertise from an external dedicated resource rather than taking your in-house professionals away from business critical involvement, makes perfect sense.

However, there are five common false assumptions which relate to a managed learning service, so we want to dispel these myths:

False assumption no. 1: Managed Learning Services are only applicable to a limited number of business/industry sectors requiring specialised training.  Wrong. An MLS, being a management service means that its success is based solely on its flexibility; being able to be applied across the board to many different business/industry sectors including construction, engineering, manufacturing, telecoms, finance, law and many more, covering topics as diverse as communication skills, risk, specialist equipment use, the list is endless.

False assumption no. 2: Using a Managed Learning Service will not benefit companies with established L&D departments, right? That’ll be a no. Actually, it’s the total opposite. Just imagine how much time your L&D manager and team spend on the administration of your companies training, answering delegate queries, making phone calls, answering emails, booking hotels and on and on. Using an MLS will free the team from these shackles and allow them to focus on the business of L&D.

False assumption no. 3: Once a Managed Learning Service provider gets a foothold in our business, all our other suppliers will be pushed out. Absolutely not. If you already have a list of preferred L&D providers, then your MLS provider will work alongside them to get the maximum benefit and training impact for your business, collaboratively. Of course, recommendations will be made along the way, but this just offers you an opportunity to make informed decisions and control how your L&D budget is most effectively used.

False assumption no. 4: If we use a managed learning service, we’re all going to lose our jobs, surely? Far from it. The role of an MLS is to support the existing team by performing the essential but time consuming administration tasks. Your team is now free to consult, design, develop and perfect your learning and to continue their CPD (Continuous Professional Development).

False assumption no.5: Finally, this is going to cost us a fortune! Wrong again. By using an Managed Learning Service you can be confident that it will use its industry knowledge to manage your L&D and also, being vendor neutral, source high quality external providers, so that even factoring in the MLS costs your L&D department will be able to show savings year on year.

Using a Managed Learning Service has huge advantages for your L&D department and your business overall in terms of higher-level thinking, productivity, meeting business goals, cost management, industry knowledge, ROI and creating business advantage.