MoD Prepares for Change with IT Training
As it prepares to outsource its IT function, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is taking steps to ensure the staff involved are ready for change.The MoD is offering staff a blended programme leading to the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) qualification. Named Adapto, and coined ‘Fit to stay, Fit to go’, the programme aims […]
IT Workers Under Pressure to Pay for Own Training
The UK is heading for a critical skills shortage as IT professionals resist corporate pressure to spend their own money on training, according to a new study. In a survey of 100 IT professionals, Thomson NETg found that, while 36% expect to have to pay for their own education, 50% cite cost as the biggest […]
Feature: Blending the Right Solution
Many organisations found that e-learning to failed to live up to its initial promise. Here Frank Salisbury of Business and Training Solutions International looks at some of the common problems of e-learning and how blended delivery can overcome them. There is little doubt that e-learning has not achieved the success it promised some 10 years […]
Bespoke E-Learning Pays Dividends
E-learning must be designed to meet the needs of the organisation and staff if it is to deliver benefits, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.Recent research from the CIPD indicates that over half of organisations (54%) use e-learning. The research shows that employers are concentrating on developing e-learning modules specific to their […]
QA Gets Developers’ Vote
QA has been voted Training Company of the Year for the third year in succession by the readers of developers magazine Visual Systems Journal (VSJ). Based on an open vote by the magazine’s readers, the VSJ reader awards recognise excellence across the developer community. Including categories for software and developer tools as well as books […]
E-Learners Need Greater Information and Support
Educating delegates on the benefits of e-learning will have the greatest impact on completion rates, according to new research.The survey, from by e-learning company SkillGate, foundd that 40% of HR and training managers believe making staff fully aware of the advantages of online learning is the most important factor in improving completion rates. A further […]
BCS Reports Huge Growth in Demand for IT Training
IT training and qualifications are going through a period of “unprecedented growth” according to the British Computer Society (BCS).The society believes that the threat of off-shoring and new skill sets needed by employers have contributed to demand.BCS chief executive David Clarke said that the industry is changing fast. “The Society’s view is that there has […]
Hilton University Proves its Worth
Hotel company Hilton International has found a significant link between employee development and reduced staff turnover. In a survey completed by 1,854 employees across all parts of Hilton International’s business worldwide, 37% felt that being offered development opportunities is the most important factor in them deciding to continue their career with Hilton. A further 50% […]
Parkin Space: The Prosumer Future for Learning
In an age when we people are becoming more pro-active in their Internet usage, Godfrey Parkin explains why the producer-consumer, or prosumer, model is ideal for e-learning. I have always been convinced that one key to future success in web-based learning lies in the notion of the prosumer. Prosumers produce what they consume, and it […]
Finalists Compete for IT Trainer of the Year Award
Four IT trainers are set to go forward to the final judging stage of the British Computer Society’s (BCS) third IT Professional Awards. The medallists for the IT Trainer of the Year Award are Richard Malam (Centrica), Andy Wright (Sysop Limited), Andrew Driver (Parity) and Darren Burford (QA). They will join 94 other medallists across […]
The Way I See It… The Investment Case for IT Training
Rick Marshall, MD of networking and communications infrastructure specialist Comunica plc, discusses the importance of ongoing development for existing IT employees, as well as the need to invest in the recruitment of new talent for the industry. According to a recent e-skills UK survey, 85% of IT employers reported that IT professionals within their organisation […]
European IT Training Spend Set to Rise
IT training spend across Europe is expected to increase to combat skills shortages caused by accelerating retirement rates and a decline in IT graduates.In a recent survey of IT decision-makers from leading European economies, Forrester Research Inc found that they plan to significantly accelerate spending on training between 2005 and 2007. It also expects companies’ […]
Clive Shepherd to Speak at Free Open Day
E-learning guru Clive Shepherd is holding a free seminar at the Training Foundation next week.Shepherd, director of e-learning for the Foundation, will deliver a presentation entitled Rethinking e-learning in which he will challenge what he sees as popular myths about e-learning. These include e-learning is just a tool, the world is ready for self-study,e-learning is […]
Parkin Space: The Learning Object Paradox
Learning objects break learning content into bite size chunks, in theory making them easily reusable. Godfrey Parkin contests that in practice this does not always hold true. Parkin’s Learning Object Paradox states that: “The more reusable a learning object becomes, the less useable it is.” This is because the usability of a learning object varies […]
Case Study: Careconnect Learning in the NHS
In May this year, hospital porter Andrew Davidson achieved the title “keenest learner” in the NIACE adult learner’s week awards. Having left school at 15, he is now on his 11th course through CareConnect Learning, which offers computer courses for staff in the health and social care sectors. Kathleen Miller, Andrew’s tutor, hopes that his […]
Trainer’s Tip: Engaging E-Learning
Are your staff are turning off e-learning? Read Paul Allman’s advice for creating engaging CBT. There are lots of things you could do to make computer based training (CBT) more interesting, but before you hurtle off and create wonderful graphics, animations, audio, interactions etc, ask yourself why? Why are you doing this? Why do people […]
Case Study: E-Learning at M&G
M&G is one of the largest fund managers in the UK, managing the investments of over 500,000 clients in the UK and Europe. The company, formerly known as Municipal and General Securities, uses e-learning for aspects of training, such as compliance and inductions and making it available on the Internet has ensured its accessible by […]
Review: Beating IT Risks
Title: Beating IT RisksAuthors: Ernie Jordan and Luke Silcock Publisher: John Wiley ISBN: 0 470 02190 XPages: 278 Reviewer: David EvansPrice: £39.95 Books on risk and risk management are not exactly thin on the ground – Amazon UK lists well over a thousand. However, IT risks are far less well understood – the number of […]
Study to Analyse Effectiveness of On-line Learning
With over 3000 courses now available to study online – in subjects as diverse as languages, IT and fork lift truck driving – the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) is conducting a research project to find out how effective learning online is.As more and more people are using computers and the Internet for […]
Parkin Space: E-Earning in the USA
Ever wondered how much your equivalent earns on the other side of the Atlantic? Read on. This week the E-learning Guild released the results of its annual e-learning salary survey. Data was gathered in the first quarter of this year from people who work in the e-learning field. It’s amazing that they were able to […]
