In the face of rapid technological changes and evolving workplace dynamics, and the need to see the growth of a culture of learning and development, North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) has pioneered a transformative approach to workforce development.
This approach, which is driven by their Talent Pipeline Strategy, underscores NEDDC’s commitment to collaboration, continuous learning, and inclusivity, which are all key elements of the Council’s cultural fabric as outlined in its One Team People Strategy.
The Talent Pipeline Strategy focuses on fostering a learning culture and improving the Council’s capacity to attract, develop, and retain talent by creating an environment where employees are encouraged to grow and succeed. To achieve this strategy, they choose to collaborate with Me Learning to ensure this strategy was effectively integrated across the Council through a strategic decision to make a switch to e-learning.
The Challenge
Traditionally, the Council relied on largely in-person training, which was time-consuming and costly and, in some cases, inefficient. Their HR service faced a heavy workload managing extensive training programmes every three years, a process that was labour-intensive and diverted focus from other strategic priorities. There was also a vital need for a sustainable succession plan to retain institutional knowledge while also attracting new talent.
The Council therefore realised that to remain on track with their vision of future-proofing their workforce and ensuring that the Talent Pipeline Strategy progressed, an e-learning solution would be the perfect way to go. To accelerate this process, the Council identified that having a Learning Management System (LMS) that would facilitate the management of learning across the Council and host an online library of relevant courses relevant for the development of their people was exactly what they needed.
The Solution
With a clear focus on developing their workforce, NEDDC collaborated with Me Learning to provide a comprehensive e-learning solution. As part of their package, Me Learning provided NEDDC with a digital library of 65 courses, including our secure and stable learning platform called Form LMS which makes delivering, managing and tracking learning effortless. We also provided them with our authoring tool called Adapt which enables the Council to have creative ability to make tweaks or add to the courses in their library. With Adapt, they now have the capability to create accessible, responsive and engaging HTML5 digital learning themselves.
NEDDC emphasised they chose Me Learning for its robust course content and our user-friendly LMS platform, which was a key differentiator. With this solution, NEDDC employees will be equipped to adapt to the evolving demands of their roles and stay compliant with any legislative changes.
Lee Hickin, Managing Director at NEDDC, said,
“Me Learning’s e-learning platform and courses are designed to make the learning stick. Since its launch we have experienced huge uptake and completion rates, driving efficiencies due to its ease of access and usability along with the built-in administrative tools. Perhaps most importantly though, as the MD – this product offers me assurance that the right people are trained to the right level, in the right place across the entire organisation”.
The collaboration has been positive thus far and resulted in:
- An environment where employees are not just compliant with current legislation but are also encouraged to develop within their roles.
- A library of engaging e-learning content of over 65 courses available to NEDCC learners which can be accessed anytime and anywhere, allowing employees to learn at their own pace without disrupting daily responsibilities.
- A reduction of the HR workload and corporate costs associated with traditional training methods, freeing up the time of council employees who were previously involved in training, so they can focus on other priorities.
- A noticeable increase in employee engagement, with many actively completing courses that align with their career goals.
Vic Butler, Organisation Development Advisor also said:
“The ‘Form LMS’ by Me Learning platform has been instrumental in kickstarting our ‘Talent Pipeline’ initiative, seamlessly aligning with our culture of continuous growth and development and empowering our team to thrive.”
The initiative is attracting attention from other District Councils, demonstrating NEDDC’s leadership in adopting a forward-thinking, digital-first approach to workforce development. The success so far since its launch, is evidence of NEDDC’s commitment to innovation and most importantly, the Council’s strong belief in the potential of their people. It is Council’s hope that the Talent Pipeline Initiative becomes a benchmark for workforce development in other districts.
North East Derbyshire District Council’s strategic shift to e-learning, supported by Me Learning, serves as a model for other district councils looking to enhance workforce development. By embracing innovation, focusing on employee growth, and fostering a robust learning culture, NEDDC is addressing immediate challenges and setting the stage for long-term success.
This collaboration not only showcases the importance of digital learning but also reinforces the exceptional outcomes it offers to organisations who are keen to take a strategic, forward-thinking approach to workforce development.
For more information, please contact Anne Clayton, Digital Learning Consultant at Me Learning – anne.clayton@melearning.co.uk or explore our services here.
