Speaking to Liz Goddard L & D Manager at North Hertfordshire District Council at the end of last year, she mentioned that the theme for 2009 in learning and development is ‘more for less’! This appears to be true for local authority learning & development teams across the country and also for many private sector organisations too.
Liz also said this has had an impact on the way learning and development is now organised at North Herts. Many people just don’t have the time to attend traditional workshops; there is now much more emphasis on flexible learning solutions such as e-learning and open learning sessions. It is also becoming increasingly important to be able to demonstrate the value learning and development has for the organisation in terms of time and resources.
So thinking about ‘more for less’ and particularly open learning sessions, I think I’ve come across an idea that might be of interest. It is called ‘In-Step Learning’.
In-Step Learning is a blended learning concept that uses action learning sets, co-coaching and other forms of open or self managed learning to drive your business critical projects.
How does it work? Well, it starts at the heart of the organisation with the essential priorities that have been identified as vital to its continued success. Now consider the projects that will make these priorities happen. How would you like to implement these crucial projects and build the competence of people within your organisation? This is what In-Step Learning is all about.
Those involved get the opportunity to learn while they achieve a real time objective that makes a difference to their organisation. They learn auxiliary skills such as research and project management as well as the core skills needed to complete the task.
Over the next few months this blog will explore In-Step Learning in more detail. This will include guidance on how to make it work with your learners and practical suggestions for making it the learning ethos of your organisation.
In the meantime if you want to know more then contact your training consultants in Northampton, Crystal Learning.
