Learning Pool and Epic provide e-learning for 12,500 councillors
Today's Councillors are busy people. They probably have full time jobs and families to juggle, alongside their council duties. It's therefore no surprise that they find it difficult to attend traditional classroom based training sessions. So when do they get to hear about the latest policy initiatives or develop their existing leadership skills?
This challenge has been answered by Learning Pool, the e-learning specialist for the public sector, who, in partnership with Epic, has developed a new e-learning service designed specifically for elected Members.
Called Modern Councillor, this new e-learning service is available now online and provides high quality, flexible e-learning that's directly relevant for today's new and existing elected Members. Since its launch in May 2007 over 64% of all local authorities in England have signed up, giving over 12,500 councillors access to bite sized e-learning that's just for them.
Mary McKenna, Learning Pool's MD says "e-learning is adaptable and affordable which is particularly important, as local authorities have to work to tight budgets. We're delighted that over 12,500 councillors can now use e-learning as a result of their local authorities signing up. We're also really pleased to be working again with Epic who have helped us make this service an enormous success already, just 10 weeks after its launch."
Designed to be easy to use, Modern Councillor's courses are short and engaging, typically lasting 30 minutes and consisting of a few modules. The content is structured in this way to allow Councillors to dip in and out of a course as their schedules allow.
The courses have been produced in conjunction with Epic and cover topics such as Community Leadership, Working with the Media, Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Using Mobile Technology and Licensing and regulation, among others. Released monthly, the 20 courses will remain permanently available so that Members can revisit the material as often as they wish.
Tracy Capaldi-Drewett, Epic's Commercial MD, said "We were delighted to have been selected by Learning Pool for this project as we recognise how important the role of the elected Member in today's environment is and the initial and ongoing support that is being delivered by Learning Pool."
As e-learning rapidly moves into the mainstream so the age profile of some newly elected Members has lowered. These younger, more technology savvy Councillors bring a readiness and demand for more flexible learning resources with them. At the same time, more experienced Councillors are also looking to new technology to help them manage their many responsibilities.