session overview

Thursday 28th January 2010

11:30 - 12:30 Track 2 Session 4

Large-scale learning

When you're running organisational learning and development for a large organisation, how on earth do you make it work? These two organisations have tackled it and shown the way. Fugro has grappled with creating content for a hugely dispersed population of highly technical learners, and has answered it by getting them to create their own learning. Meanwhile, UK retail giant Boots has rolled out e-learning to tens of thoughsands of users with a wide range of IT experience. How are they doing and what can we learn from them?

P1: Creating content across time zones

Andrew McNeill, Global Learning & Development Manager, Fugro NV

The Fugro Group consists of over 200 operating companies in over 50 countries. Their field - oil and gas exploration - requires great technical expertise. How do they build and maintain it across more than 13,000 employees? The answer: by a collaborative, web-based approach. SMEs and trainers, often split over several time-zones, create high-quality technical content that shares best practice and weeds out misconceptions.

Getting SMEs enthusiastic about sharing their expertise
Maintaining quality with de-centralized production
Overcoming the hurdles: technical and cultural
Why good project management is essential
Shifting to a collaborative culture

P2: Delivering e-learning for all learners

Steve Coe, E-learning Manager, Boots UK

When UK retailer Boots began their e-learning roll-out in August 2008, their 65,000 learners were based in 2,500 stores across the UK. 20% of them were over 50 years old, and many had not used a computer before. With meticulous attention to detail, Boots piloted and launched the programme, and ensured that staff members had the time, space and confidence to start learning on a PC. The result: a year later, 84% had completed at least one e-learning module.