the winners 2021 - leawards.co.uk
TRANSCRIPT
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The Winners 2021
What a Year!Not only did everyone have the coronavirus to deal with over the last 12 months, but the Learning Excellence Awards team took it upon themselves to get these new categories of recognition off the ground and make them a success. I hope, as you read through the following pages, that you agree they have succeeded - attracting entries from around the world and setting the judges the challenges of deciding which of the great entries in a category should be declared the winner.
There are some great winners among those great Finalists and these pages endeavour to give them the recognition they deserve. Without the brilliant work done by the judges some of the finely polished lustre would have been overlooked. As a result our first level of thanks goes to all the entrants. Our second level goes to the diligent judges. The third level of thanks goes to training zone who have acted as media partner to the Awards. And our final level of thanks goes to all the companies who have supported the online presentation of the Awards by making sure they booked a viewing.
As Alistair Campbell once remarked at a live ceremony: “Business awards are an antidote to mediocrity.” We wholeheartedly endorse that thought and congratulate all those who have trounced mediocrity by being a Finalist, High Commendation or Winner of the Learning Excellence Awards 2021.
Very best wishes
Helen Warrilowcommercial directorLearning Excellence Awards
2 Welcome
3 Judges
6 Outstanding Course or Initiative
8 Outstanding External Provider
9 Outstanding In-house Team
9 Outstanding Innovation
10 Education
11 Healthcare
12 IT/Technology
12 Transport
13 Accounting, Bookkeeping, Financial Management
13 Customer Service
14 Management & Leadership
14 Team Development
15 Mobile Learning
16 Digital Learning or E-learning
17 Design, Content Creation & Video
18 Learning Process
20 Learning Tools & Technology
21 Response to Covid-19
Welcome
2
Contents
The Judges
3
Dominic Ashley-TimmsManaging DirectorNotion Business Coaching
Mark DaweCEOThe Skills Network
Rachel GreenwayDirector of Learning, Leadership and TalentBT
Steve HelmsleyManaging DirectorHendrix Training
Harry KellyDirector – UK Chemistry Recruitment and Talent DevelopmentGSK
Shirley GastonDirectorAzesta
4
Amy PrendergastDirector of Change, People and LearningretailTRUST
Peter RydingCEO VIC – your Virtual Interactive Coach
Matthew SmithDirectorGriffin and Bell
Donna VerdiDevelopment Governance DirectorBarclays
Sam WattsImmersive Partnerships Director Make Real
Claire SmithHead of Learning & DevelopmentNando’s UK
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Outstanding Course or Initiative
6
Winner
The Business of AutismThe Business of Autism is run by three sisters who are determined to change the world of autism at work, one step at a time. Using many years of personal – one sister was diagnosed with autism 20 years ago – and professional experience of working with autistic children and adults, The Business of Autism designs and delivers bespoke training courses to help organisations reap the huge benefits of supporting existing autistic employees and adapting their processes and environments to openly encourage applications from autistic candidates for new roles. 84% of autistic adults are unemployed or under-employed; passion and dedication of these three sisters will change this!
High Commendation
NotionNotion’s STAR® Manager is s fun, interactive, virtual, blended and it is delivering measurable results across many sectors including academia, retail, and banking, generating significant benefits, including 60% improvement in productivity, close to 50% improvement in team engagement and increased innovation, problem solving and retention.
Finalists
Mindful EducationScottish SPCAVIC – your Virtual Interactive Coach
*Network charges may apply
retailTRUST is a registered charity in England and Wales (1090136) and in Scotland (SC039684). Company No 4254201 (Company limited by Guarantee) Registered England & Wales. Registered office: Marshall Estate, Hammers Lane, London, NW7 4DQ.
Outstanding External Provider
8
Winner
The Resilience Development CompanyThe Resilience Development Company set out to elevate culture, raise engagement, increase productivity and enhance mental wellbeing at an international bank. During a sustained period of significant change, an international bank identified that its personnel were exhibiting signs of low resilience; resistance to change, fractured relationships and low levels of confidence and pride in the organisation. The company deployed their Resilient Advantage Programme that delivered:• 5% increase in engagement (against a long-term
objective of 1%)• 33% reduction in voluntary attrition• 8% drop in absence with a 23% reduction in absence
for managers and leaders• 5 awards, including Gold’ status in the Workplace
Wellbeing Index awards• 7.3% increase in productivity
High Commendation
The Skills NetworkThe Skills Network (TSN) is a leading provider of distance learning qualifications and education technology. Across the last 12 months, TSN and their external provision of online learning has had an exceptional impact: Over 30,000 students in the UK studied an online qualification with TSN and over 300 learning providers used TSN’s EQUAL learning platform and technology to deliver online learning to a further 70,000 students in the UK.
Finalists
VIC – your Virtual Interactive Coach
Outstanding In-house Team
9
Winner
NotionNotion’s STAR® Manager, a groundbreaking leadership and management development programme, supports managers at all levels, increasing productivity, performance and engagement by adopting operational coaching-related management behaviours. It’s fun, interactive, virtual, and blended and includes: • A series of workplace missions • Short online training modules • Critical guided reflection • Live tutor support via ‘learning stations’
and ‘practitioner’ sessions It can run as a standalone programme or be integrated into in-house management development programmes.
Finalists
VIC – your Virtual Interactive Coach
Winner
GSKA two-part, modular yet complementary training approach with external validation, robust assessment and recognised qualifications (Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Development and an MPhil or PhD) was initiated by GSK. The aim was to provide graduate chemists with the skills and experience to compete for senior positions and thereby provide return on investment regarding training and development provided. Through this programme, GSK is the first and only pharmaceutical company recognised as a provider of higher education.
Finalist
Independent Garage Association
Outstanding Innovation
Education
10
Winner
The Skills NetworkThe Skills Network (TSN) is a leading provider of online learning qualifications and education technology. Across the 2019/20 academic year, TSN has had an exceptional impact on online education and supporting people to gain new skills, retrain and further their career. In the last 12 months TSN has:• Supported 30,000 adult learners achieve a funded
online qualification in the UK• Provided their EQUAL learning technology to 300
colleges and learning providers to support a further 70,000 students access online learning (30,000 during lockdown)
High Commendation
Idea FoundationThe Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA) is an international programme that helps people of all ages and backgrounds develop digital, enterprise and employability skills. The iDEA platform provides free digital skills education in the form of bite-size modules called “badges”. Learners who complete badges on iDEA earn points towards industry-recognised awards that enhance their CV and help them stand out from the crowd.
Finalists
Fiction ExpressLearning By HeartLight FoundationsLearnieScottish SPCA
Healthcare
11
Winner
Nice MediaA video learning drama, produced by Nice Media, is core to a learning resource developed to serve half a million NHS safeguarding professionals. Embedded in a MOOC, this drama was designed to stimulate discussion and social learning. Safeguarding is a complex topic and affects a range of health professionals. This project was built on workshops with health professionals and service users to develop relevant and relatable character descriptions and a script that would engage the diverse audience base. So far, the course has had over 17,000 active learners and a positive evaluation rate of over 85%.
High Commendation
GSKA two-part, modular yet complementary training approach with external validation, robust assessment, and recognised qualifications was initiated to provide graduate chemists with the skills and experience to compete for senior positions and thereby provide return on investment regarding training and development provided. GSK is the first and only pharmaceutical company recognised as a provider of higher education.
IT/Technology
12
Winner
Spectrum CoursesSpectrum Courses has made a unique contribution to learning excellence by identifying a specialist area of need in Safeguarding Training within the UK Transport Sector and providing a top-quality, innovative learning experience with successful outcomes for a demographic of the population who are less comfortable or confident learners. Its success is based not only on the excellence of the product but via a relentless determination to help shape political policy. Spectrum Courses has raised standards and reduced incidents in Home to School Transport with a wider invaluable impact for families whose vulnerable children are able to access education.
Winner
VIC – your Virtual Interactive CoachVIC is so technically advanced that even technology companies find it cool. It’s the best combination of learning technologies they have ever seen and rate it 10/10 for ease of use and 10/10 for business impact. “Psych-Tech®” A.I. and ‘1-Clickology’ were developed with government funding and underpin the company’s ground-breaking ‘Emulated-Coaching’ and ‘Integrated Agile Talent Development’ offerings. It’s transformed E-Learning from upskilling into a practical, and proven productivity tool delivering 5-8% performance improvement and over 1,000% ROI. “VIC is revolutionising learning, coaching and the role of L&D.”
Finalists
NetSupportUpside Learning Solutions
Transport
Accounting, Bookkeeping, Financial Management
13
Winner
Upside Learning Solutions eLearning moduleAs a leading global provider of facility services, it is vital for ISS to protect not just its own but its customers’ information, as well. This eLearning module is aimed at creating awareness about information security for all ISS office employees and frontline employees working with systems on customer sites, and highlights the importance of collective responsibility - in that every individual plays a key role in keeping themselves, their colleagues, the organisation, and their customers safe.The module includes guidelines, practical tips, and scenario-based questions, presented through rich 2D graphics and animations and different types of interactivities.
Finalists
Upside Learning Solutions The Living Service with a Human Touch eLearning Programme
High Commendation
National Audit OfficeAudit Pathways is a development programme for colleagues joining the NAO via graduate and apprenticeship schemes. The programme is designed to augment professional ICAEW training and prepare Assistant Auditors to deliver financial and value for money audits in the public sector. It supports development, improves performance and enhances their early experiences with the NAO. The main objectives of the programme are to:• Bridge the gap between the commercial focus
of the ACA and the public sector context relevant to our client base
• Place learning in the context of the NAO• Introduce colleagues to the NAO Value for Money
(VFM) work
Customer Service
Management & Leadership
14
Winner
The Resilience Development CompanyElevating Culture, Raising Engagement, Increasing Productivity And Enhancing Mental Wellbeing at an international bank. During a sustained period of significant change, an international bank identified that its personal were exhibiting signs of low resilience; resistance to change, fractured relationships and low levels of confidence and pride in the organisation.The company deployed their Resilient Advantage Programme that delivered:• 5% increase in engagement (against a long-term
objective of 1%)• 33% reduction in voluntary attrition• 8% drop in absence with a 23% reduction in absence
for managers and leaders• 5 awards including Gold’ status in the Workplace
Wellbeing Index Awards• 7.3% increase in productivity
Winner
AzestaFreemans Grattan Holdings’ (FGH) Leadership Apprenticeship Programme was designed and delivered with training company Azesta to tackle a gap in leadership skills at the retail group. The programme is a skilful blend of experiential learning, e-packages and individual goal-setting, all delivered in Azesta’s distinctive, hands-on style. It offers an Institute of Leadership and Management diploma for delegates and meets national apprenticeship standards, whilst addressing FGH’s varied organisational challenges. It is a programme that showcases excellence in learning, evidenced by brilliant feedback, more internal promotions, improvements in managers’ abilities and 100% commitment from learners, who all achieved a distinction or merit.
Finalists
Alternative Futures GroupThe Resilience Development CompanyVIC – your Virtual Interactive Coach
Team Development
Mobile Learning
15
Winner
VIC – your Virtual Interactive CoachVIC is taking the concept of mobile learning to the next level by giving ALL employees (and their families!) an automated A.I. “coach in their pocket” that’s also a subject-matter expert on 250+ topics and that’s integrated with organisational culture, best-practice, recruitment, induction, performance reviews and succession planning. VIC solves problems instantly and converts feedback into“1-clickology” links straight to content - closing skills gaps in moments not months. This drives better solutions faster, before problems grow, and allows more to be done in less time. It’s boosting productivity in brand new ways and is changing lives at a human level.
Finalist
Learnie
16
Winner
FlashAcademyOver 1.5 million pupils are classified as EAL (English as an Additional Language) and the educational attainment gap is widening for this cohort of learners. FlashAcademy is a digital English language platform, helping hundreds of schools to accelerate their pupils’ English proficiency three times faster than the UK national average. The only platform to teach English curriculum content from 45 different home languages, FlashAcademy works across all devices, which has proven crucial for remote learning. The platform helps to engage independent learning skills, unlocking the potential for pupils to achieve across all subjects, whilst also developing their social language skills.
High Commendation
Cypher LearningCypher Learning created NEO to support efficient teaching and learning online. Their platform is intuitive, easy to use, and visually appealing, making learning and teaching more engaging and enjoyable for all users. Cypher provides a complete and customizable solution for creating and managing all classroom activities, with indispensable features for any academic institution.
Finalists
CACHE Alumni (Part of NCFE)e-Learning WMBFiction ExpressLothian LearningMindful EducationNotionThe Skills NetworkVIC – your Virtual Interactive Coach
Digital Learning or E-learning
Design, Content Creation & Video
17
Winner
Mindful EducationMindful Education aims to to provide convenient access to learning, widen participation and promote greater social mobility through media-rich professional courses and apprenticeships to students in partnership with UK colleges. The company brings learning to life using film, motion graphics and animations, coupled with its market-leading technology platforms and analytics. A bespoke learning platform - designed for flipped-blended delivery with proprietary technology and analytics - is used to host the learning and teaching content, informing tutors of any intervention requirements during classes. All Mindful Education solutions are designed for busy part-time students and apprentices with life and work commitments who are looking to change or progress their careers.
Finalists
Enact SolutionsNice Media
Learning Process
18
Winner
NotionNotion’s STAR Manager is a groundbreaking leadership and management development programme that supports managers at all levels, increasing productivity, performance and engagement by adopting operational coaching-related management behaviours. It’s fun, interactive, virtual, blended and includes:workplace missions, short online training modules , critical guided reflection and live tutor support via ‘learning stations’ and ‘practitioner’ sessions.It’s delivering measurable results across many sectors including academia, retail, and banking, generating significant benefits, including dramatic improvements in productivity and team engagement, with increased innovation, problem solving and retention. It can run as a standalone programme or be integrated into in-house management development programmes.
High Commendation
Fiction ExpressFiction Express (FE) is an award-winning literacy resource designed to improve all areas of literacy: reading; punctuation & grammar; speaking & listening; and writing. FE improves poor reading habits by getting children excited about reading, through the power of a deeply engaging experience of co-creation between pupils and authors. Fiction Express is to be applauded for its innovation in book publishing and unique approach to the teaching of reading and literacy.
The first year of the Learning Excellence Awards has been a great success, with a broad spread of entries from the UK and overseas. There have been some brilliant winners and high commendations voted to success by the judges. But we know we can do better. We are still learning about this vibrant business sector that has to face real challenges as we emerge from the restrictions of the pandemic.
The Call for Entries re-opens on June 1 and closes on October 31, 2021. As part of our learning process we want to know that the categories are right, rewarding entrants with plaudits that they really want to receive. If you can see gaps or improvements that need dealing with for the 2022 Awards, please let us know.
We are also learning what sponsors would like from the Awards and welcome conversations with companies wishing to espouse excellence in this sector.
For more information about the Awards and sponsorship opportunities please contact Becky Knight: [email protected] leawards.co.uk
Learning Tools & Technology
20
Winner
Fiction ExpressFiction Express (FE) is an award-winning literacy resource designed to improve all areas of literacy: reading; punctuation & grammar; speaking & listening; and writing. FE improves poor reading habits by getting children excited about reading, through the power of a deeply engaging experience of co-creation between pupils and authors. The judges have rewarded FE for its innovation in book publishing and for a unique approach to the teaching of reading and literacy.
High Commendation
The Skills NetworkTheSkillsNetwork (TSN) is a leading provider of education technology and online learning qualifications, providing life-transforming educationin over 30 countries. Across the last 12 months, TSN has had an exceptional impact across the UK with their learning technology:• Their EQUAL Learning Platform was used by over
300 colleges and learning providers during the 2019/20 academic year to support 70,000 students in the UK. 30,000 of these students were enrolled to access key online learning during the pandemic
• Using EQUAL, TSN also delivered 30,000 accredited online qualifications to adult learners via their own delivery as a learning provider.
Finalists
Doddle LearnLeap Like A SalmonLearnieVIC – your Virtual Interactive Coach
Response to Covid-19
21
Winner
Lifetime TrainingThe excellent ‘Learning in Lockdown’ Initiative created by Lifetime Training and Whitbread has helped ensure that 1,000 apprentices continued their apprenticeship training throughout the pandemic. This was achieved through Lifetime’s quick and flexible actions to maintain engaging virtual delivery, clear and concise communications to Whitbread employees and “a leap of faith” from Whitbread. Lifetime was able to continue training 97% of apprentices on programme, saw increased engagement rates, high motivation and improved manager support. Whitbread has maintained their investment in apprenticeships and Lifetime has effectively supported one of their largest clients navigate a period of crisis.
High Commendation
LandauLandau’s IN2 programme is working with young people aged 15 -24 years old in Shropshire and Herefordshire. The young people are NEET or ‘at risk’ of becoming NEET, and Landau supports them with meaningful interventions like resilience and confidence building that will help them build a better life. During the Covid lockdown Landau continued to support learners remotely and to date, the programme has worked with over 1000 young people and helped to support over 500, nearly 50%, back into education or into employment. The IN2 programme is successfully helping some of the most disadvantaged young people in these counties.
Finalists
Fiction ExpressFiction Express - RE.SCHOOLIndependent Garage AssociationLothian LearningMindful EducationRPFT
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