Outsourcing training to QA provides new opportunties for learning & development staff
An outsourced learning service implemented by QA for News International has successfully transitioned the organisation’s Learning & Development to QA, and has created new opportunities for the in-house training team.
The service provides a full learning & development capability, ranging from training administration through to strategic development of learning programmes. As part of the transition to the QA shared resources model, a number of instructors previously working for News International have now joined QA, and will continue to deliver training to News International and also to other QA customers.
Managing Director of QA Managed Learning Services, Ben Pike, explains; “When companies are looking to outsource Learning & Development capabilities there can be concerns around how this will affect their staff. However, an external service doesn’t mean losing that expertise. When we’re developing our services, we work very closely with the customer to understand what resources they currently have, and how we can best utilise those people in the new service. In fact, as a specialised learning business we often find that individuals joining us through TUPE transfer have new opportunities to develop their skills and careers.”
Systems Training Manager, Glen Phillpotts, at News International, comments; “Setting up this service with QA has meant we’re able to realise a number of efficiencies in our learning and development while providing our staff with the wide range of skills they require.”
Philippa Duffy, now an instructor with QA, adds; “Since moving across to QA earlier this year, I’m now working as part of a group of nearly 300 learning experts. This provides a fantastic opportunity to work with other people to build my existing knowledge and explore new subject areas. In the short term, it’s nice to have the structure within which I can get support and advice, and work with people who specialise in the same subject areas. In the longer term, I can see some real advantages to developing my future career through learning new skills.”
Another concern that organisations have is that the transition period during an outsource may affect the company’s access to training. In QA’s experience, the successful transfer of staff is key to mitigating this risk as Pike explains, “Instructors who have been working as an in-house resource have really valuable experience of how the business works – they are familiar faces to staff, and often prove key to ensuring the service transition is a smooth process. Their understanding of the business and culture is also crucial to ensure that we successful transform the service to achieve reduced costs and improved learning effectiveness for our customer.”
The training service with News International began in 2008, and includes training administration, strategic development of learning programmes, and the delivery of learning interventions utilising a wide range of QA and QA Global Reach partner portfolio.
To find out more about QA’s Managed Learning Service, visit www.qa.com/MLS