Public sector L&Ds optimistic despite budget cuts, says survey

According to research from e-learning company Brightwave, two thirds of UK public sector L&D and training professionals expect to improve the level of service they can deliver to their organisations by increasing e-learning and collaborative working.
The survey found that 88% plan to increase their use of e-learning in order to meet new government cost reduction targets. A further 58% predict more collaborative working and 49% will reduce classroom-based training to help cut costs.
Brightwave says the projected increase in the use of e-learning has continued to grow, increasing by 76% since the company started its benchmarking survey nearly two years ago. At the start of 2009 only half of L&D professionals expected to increase the use of e-learning, whereas 88% currently anticipate an increase. In addition, Brightwave says more L&D professionals expect to collaborate - rising from 42% saying they expect to take this approach in 2009, to nearly 60% who currently expect more collaborative working.
Brightwave's survey polled HR, e-learning and training specialists in local government during September 2010.
Charles Gould, managing director at Brightwave, said: "The age of austerity is clearly having a deep impact on the way we all work, both in the private and public sector. The role and anticipated use of e-learning is growing, but we must be careful not to look at learning technologies as simply a way to cut costs. Quality e-learning initiatives with engaging content that address clear organisational objectives are crucial to delivering real value.
"In fact, many Councils are already working together and building their e-learning services to deliver engaging and effective training. We recently met a number of Scottish Councils in Glasgow for an event on 'delivering change'. They are embracing this technology and finding ways to collaborate."
City of Edinburgh Council, who contributed to Brightwave's recent 'delivering change' event, established the City of Edinburgh Council Interactive Learning (CECiL) service four years ago to provide online learning for Council employees using Brightwave's Local Government E-Learning Service as its platform.
Paul McGhee, leadership and development manager at the City of Edinburgh Council said: "Our e-learning platform, CECiL, has substantially reduced the costs in providing training. To date savings have amounted to over £800k.
"It has enabled high volume training delivery at lower cost and greater speed, facilitated a quicker response to educating policy and procedural change, and improved the quality and diversity of training and development options available. It has also freed up valuable time enabling the corporate learning team to move to a more consultancy led, bespoke service, adding increased value across the organisation."