Unisys University scoops second award for the year

Unisys University has received the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) BEST Award and is now recognised as one of the top three learning and development organisations in corporate America. This is the second recent honour bestowed on Unisys University. Earlier this year, HR events named Unisys University Best Overall Corporate University.

"Twenty-four companies were in the running for this year`s ASTD awards, including Accenture, Deloitte, Booz Allen and Hewlett-Packard," says Louise Pauwels, Unisys University EMEA senior consultant at Unisys Africa. "In winning this prestigious global award, ASTD recognises the deep learning and development ethic we engender at Unisys."

Unisys University blends learning and development in a three-step process that involves studying and training, feedback and coaching and practice. The university also blends traditional training methods with technology to enhance its learning enablers, such as e-learning and the sales school`s MyConsultant platform.

Eighty-three percent of the university`s students have participated in e-learning since the system was fully deployed in 2003. The e-learning system has been used by more than 32 000 students to complete over 170 000 courses.

"The ASTD BEST Award was presented to Unisys because of our strategic and innovative approaches to learning, training and development," Pauwels says. "Our consultants focus on learning and development to meet business needs while our students have access to a full range of end-to-end solutions such as the Career Fitness Centre, Career Paths, Talent Reviews or 360 Feedback."

Unisys University is the central source for all training and development in Unisys. Since inception it has improved learning and performance by between 15% and 25%; decreased training time by between 35% and 45%; improved the company`s competitive advantage; and in its first year alone, decreased training costs by between 25% and 45%.

The university`s campuses comprise several schools, including Business/Finance, Human Resources/Legal, Leadership, Marketing, Sales, Services Practice and Technology. It works in partnership with SkillsSoft, using its collaborative learning environment CBT Community.

"Studies show that corporate universities help companies better focus training efforts, elevate the level of training provided, emphasise the right employee skills development for career and business success, and communicate and enhance the company culture," Pauwels says. "To this end, the Unisys University portfolio includes skills assessment, career development, and leadership development and training, offering more than 2 000 courses to develop key skills."

As recipient of the ASTD BEST Award, Unisys is one of 10 companies profiled in the October issue of the American Society for Training and Development business journal.