Insurance giant Liberty has installed a library of SkillSoft online courses supplied ADvTECH Skills as part of an exercise to enhance a self-directed learning culture among its trainers, agents and brokers.
The targeted users are 120 sales development and accreditation staff - mostly trainers, 250 broker consultants, 1 500 agents and franchise principals and 2 000 brokers, including Stanfin brokers. Liberty has deployed 80 regionally-based trainers.
The courses installed cover the areas of strategic thinking and knowledge management, which extend trainers` and intermediaries` knowledge base beyond their usual skills. Liberty expects this understanding to add value to services it provide to its clients, says Linda van der Loo, head of technical training - sales, development and accreditation at Liberty.
"Our main considerations when looking for a training solution were optimisation of the e-learning experience, effective mentoring, developing a customer-centred organisation and change leadership within the broader context of strategic issues," says Van der Loo.
The SkillSoft courses were selected after an exercise to test their suitability. A wide-ranging list of courses was published, staff were asked to choose courses and SkillSoft courses proved the most popular.
The technical training department adopted a low-key approach in introducing this material. Some 120 people were e-mailed and an average of 20 registered on the learning portal for each course, which Van der Loo describes as very satisfactory.
An initial pilot programme targeted 12 people. This was followed by a half-day workshop for trainers. "This material has excellent visual quality, which is conducive to adult learning," says Van der Loo. "It is interactive, topical and relevant. The structure provides references, evaluations, a reference guide and job aids. This reinforces the course material. A skills assessment up-front allows people to start at the appropriate level of expertise."
"E-learning provides efficient access to course material," comments Gillian Turner, ADvTECH account executive. "Self-development is very important for Liberty and our e-learning methodology supports this. Agents and brokers can learn in their own time, and at their own place and pace, which is a key advantage of technology-based training. Subject matter experts compile these courses, ensuring international standards and best practices."
Workshops are run to complement and expand on the SkillSoft courses. Van der Loo says these are of a high, excellent standard as participants are well prepared to a consistent outcomes-based standard. Headsets are supplied, as the courses are voice-activated. Access is through a modem at home or directly from the desktop via Liberty`s intranet.
"We want to maximise the use of technology, with the goal of greater productivity and profit, adding to our competitive advantage," concludes Van der Loo. "ADvTECH Skills` knowledge and experience of the e-learning environment and the quality and content of the SkillSoft courses have supported our plan to develop a learning culture, making effective use of e-learning opportunities."
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