Virtual College helps Scottish landlords embrace e-learning
This month, the Scottish Social Housing Charter and the new regulatory framework from the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) both come into effect. In response to this new legislation, Virtual College, a leading provider of e-learning in the UK, is gearing up to help Scottish landlords comply.
Chloe Weatherhead, Head of Virtual College's Housing e-Academy, said: "We are reviewing a number of our e-learning courses to ensure they meet the specific requirements of housing legislation in Scotland.
"Scotland's social housing sector is facing a reduction in its capital budget of 30 per cent and e-learning is a cost effective solution to training requirements. Despite having less money to spend, our Scottish providers still have to ensure that both staff and involved tenants are fully conversant with legislation and issues facing the sector."
Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association recently took the decision to move to a blended learning approach and offer e-learning through the Housing e-Academy as part of its corporate Learning and Development Programme for 500 staff in Scotland.
Jackie Carter, Learning and Development Advisor, said: "E-learning means we can offer a wider selection of training to all staff using a flexible approach which allows them to learn at their own pace and in their own environment.
"Feedback so far has been positive and from our point of view it means we don't have to organise cover for staff attending a training course.
"We are very encouraged by the result of e-learning and we are hoping to add more e-learning modules during the coming year."
There are over 180 social housing providers in Scotland and the feedback received by Virtual College's Housing e-Academy suggests e-learning will be a pivotal part of staff and tenant learning in the future. As well as offering value for money, it is ideal for those organisations that have staff based across a wide geographical area.
Cairn Housing Association in Edinburgh is one such member of the Housing e-Academy. Sandra Stock, Director of Human Resources at Cairn Housing Association said: 'As one of the largest national providers of social housing in Scotland, we have a widely dispersed staff, some of whom find it difficult to attend classroom training sessions due to travel and cover arrangements."
Using e-learning in place of traditional classroom training can save thousands of pounds from the annual training budget and with less money to deliver arguably more services, Housing e-Academy believes its bespoke packages for the Scottish social housing sector will help relieve some of the pressure.