Improves E-Learning Through BTEC Qualification

Ibstock Scottish Brick improves E-Learning via a BTEC Qualification. The nationally recognised qualification is the first of its kind in the UK and benefits construction industry training managers.

Michael McGowan, training manager at Ibstock Scottish Brick, has recently qualified for Ivy Learning Service's BTEC professional diploma in managing open learning resources.

The nationally recognised qualification is the first of its kind in the UK and benefits training managers in the construction industry.

"I decided to go for the BTEC because I was setting up a new learning centre and everything I wanted to learn was provided in these professional development courses for trainers.

They contain just the knowledge and expertise I needed to set up and run the centre effectively," Michael explains.

Ibstock Brick's learning centre has been running for ten months, since the time when Michael completed the BTEC qualification.

"I completed the BTEC in nine months, and was setting up the learning centre at the same time as I was studying.

They both went hand in hand and the courses allowed me to launch the learning centre more professionally." Michael describes his experience gaining the BTEC qualification.

"Overall, the courses were excellent and informative.

There was always someone around to provide support, answer my questions and guide me in the right direction.

The workload was manageable and I could carry on with my own job at the same time." When asked what the most beneficial part of studying for the BTEC was, Michael says, "Being able to discuss experiences with other organisations was extremely useful.

For example, sharing best and worst practice situations allowed me to learn from other people's mistakes.

It was very informative to be able to network with other training managers and see what others both inside and outside my own industry were doing".

Michael describes the benefits that his company has seen since his completion of the BTEC qualification.

"One of the greatest benefits of the BTEC is the money we have saved.

The knowledge I gained from the qualification allowed us to be much more financially focused when setting up the learning centre.

I learnt how to budget more efficiently and discovered from others how they have saved their companies time and money.

Although the centre is still very new, we are already beginning to see the skills of the workforce improving," he adds.

The BTEC has not only helped Ibstock Brick, but has also been beneficial to Michael personally.

"The BTEC has helped vastly with my own personal development.

Coming out with a nationally recognised qualification is a real moral boost and I have gained knowledge that I will always find useful," he explains.

When asked about the benefits of e-learning, Michael says, "E-learning is so good because it gives individuals the opportunity to learn at their own pace, and this makes them more motivated.

The more motivated employees are, the better they will perform.

The benefit specific to the construction industry is that e-learning allows you to implement more focused training.

This in turn means that the training is more cost effective." Finally, Michael adds, "I would highly recommend the BTEC in managing open learning resources to any training manager.

If you are setting up or improving an existing facility, the courses give you a better view of what you should be doing and how you should be doing it.

This will allow you to run your learning facility much more professionally".

To find out more about the BTEC qualifications including dates and prices, contact Lesley Steventon at Ivy Learning Service.

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