LRI’s ‘Validated Blended Qualifications and Awards Model’ will enable the NHS Foundation Trust to increase their development capacity and improve their control over the material delivered, whilst still providing access to additional support.

Commenting on the programme, which is a combination of online learning and assessments, coupled with short workshops, Anne O’Connor, (NHS Learning and Development Manager), says:

“Using LRI’s Model, and their expertise and knowledge of good practice in Learning and Development and Blended Learning, has enable us to address the issue we have around tackling management skills and training with a very limited resource and capacity. LRI have helped us build a programme that really fits our needs, and the Model will enable us to manage, support and deliver the programme to the maximum effect.”

Pete Bennett, CEO and Director of Consulting at LRI explained:

‘Absolutely everyone involved in the process from learner to the External Verifier can have their lives improved by the LRI Model – it has been specifically created to improve the extent of the control and functionality of delivering an effective blended learning programme.
As well as control and improvement of processes it’s designed to increase a training providers’ capacity, without in anyway watering down the critical quality processes, far from it, work processes and communication are improved.’

Penny de Valk, ILM CEO said:

‘ILM advocates the effectiveness of a blended learning option for those looking to maximise their learning in a short period of time. The LRI Blended Model is a dynamic and flexible solution which has the capacity to make a real business difference to companies who invest in it. ’

LRI have recently included more communication, transfer and continuity processes as a consequence of consultation with ILM centres. Developments include: a Learning Journal enabling students to record reflections and notes, functionality enabling tutors to issue additional instructions and guidelines to cohorts between and prior to workshops/events.

The LRI Blended Learning Model is very much a UK focused solution, but also boasts a runner up in the ILM International Student Award 2008 (Hassan Bahram of the Bahrain Petroleum Company), and has a strong international presence in locations which also include: Saudi, Qatar, Malta, Dubai, and Sri Lanka.

Notes for editors

• The ILM Centres currently using the LRI model are a combination of Private providers, Colleges and Universities, and Corporates. Surprisingly, the biggest clients and student users internationally were not previously centres as they did not feel they had the capacity to deliver Qualifications with their existing resource.

• For more information visit: http://www.lri.co.uk/content.asp?ID=735 or call 01234 714778.