Training team wins learning technologies award

The Service’s Training Academy has been recognised with an international training award for its Blended Learning Team.

They won the Learning Technology Team of the Year Silver Award at the Learning Technologies Awards 2017 held in London.

Through the development of cutting edge learning technology solutions, this multi-skilled team has been instrumental in shaping a significant change in how training is delivered within the Service.

The team provides quality training solutions using their first-hand experience and knowledge of operational firefighting, and by collaborating with fire service subject matter experts.

With members of staff using the e-learning platform around 2,000 times every month, appealing and accessible training solutions have been a common thread in this team’s significant portfolio.

Station Manager Matt Head, of the Blended Learning Team, said: “By producing high quality e-learning packages we can engage our firefighters significantly more quickly than with traditional training packages.

“The crews can therefore receive vital operational information quickly and efficiently, and in a highly cost effective manner.”

The judges said it was “excellent” see mobile technology being used effectively to drive consistency in the practical training. They saw it as “a great story that shows the benefit of a unique hybrid role – learning and operational roles. Working to share best practice and materials across UK fire services, the team demonstrated quality and agility in Learning and Development.”

More than 800 people attended the awards ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, hosted by comedians Deborah Frances White and Sara Pascoe.
The award follows the team’s success last year when they won a Gold Award for Best Blended Learning Project in the Learning Technologies Awards 2016.