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Thomson NETg announces 2006 award winners

Thomson NETg has announced the winners of its annual Illuminati Awards. The company says the awards highlight outstanding achievements of employee learning programmes within customer organisations. The awards were announced on the annual Learning at Work Day, 2006.

Joe Marcelle, UK managing director at Thomson NETg, said: "Entries for this year's Illuminati awards highlighted a fantastic array of customers who had implemented an effective and innovative learning programme.

"The four winners showed real dedication to the training needs of their staff and deserve to be recognised for their achievements."

The winners of the four categories were:

• Best overall blended learning solution - BT
• Most innovative learning solution - Student Loans Company
• Best internal marketing solution - British Airways
• Learning leader of the year - Home Office

The awards were judged by e-learning consultant Christina Humphrey-Evans, Laura Overton of e-Skills UK, and David Pardo, head of IT Skills Research.

Best overall blended learning programme - BT

The course involved 16 hours of computer and classroom-based training, alongside the added support of a dedicated hotline for students to personally consult experts.

Terry Farrington, people development manager at BT, said: "We were very thorough in tailoring a course which complemented the needs of our employees."

"Training has always been a high priority at BT and this award gives recognition to the positive effect training can have for an organisation."

Most innovative learning programme - Student Loans Company

Student Loans Company decided to develop tailored training solutions which would be effective for every employee, no matter which learning methods they preferred. The resulting programme could be used either as a search engine, allowing people access to bite-size chunks for knowledge, or by learners wanting to take a full CBT course or read a full article or book.

"The approach was a great success, with 70% of all employees now signed up and using the solution on a daily basis. By varying combinations of either book-based courses, computer-based training or a mixture of the two, all employees have really bought into the training," said Janice Smith, learning and development advisor from The Student Loans Company.

"With this award, Thomson NETg has recognised our continuing efforts in providing the most innovative learning solutions."

Best internal marketing programme - British Airways

British Airways was keen to get internal buy-in for their learning programme through effective marketing. Their aim was to demonstrate the importance of training for employees and the airline's success. The reported result was an increase in usage by 12,270 people and a saving of over £10 million a year.

Alison Fleet, training project manager of British Airways, said: "This award recognises that our learning programme provides a flexible and cost-effective way of providing training to increasing numbers of people. Substantial savings have proved that successful training makes financial sense for organisations."

Learning leader of the year - Home Office

The Home Office wanted to provide a cost-effective training programme for staff which would meet the business need whilst appeal to those who previously found it difficult to attend classroom courses.

"Our fundamental belief is that a blended e-learning approach which gives greater choice to staff on how and when they meet their development needs is vital in ensuring staff have the skills they need to cope with a fast changing and busy workplace. E-Learning has been a great step forward for our organisation," commented Una McGarvie, head of IT, PPM & e-Learning skills at Home Office.

"We are now working to ensure our e-learning courses support Government-wide initiatives such as Professional Skills for Government whilst remaining relevant to Home Office business."

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