Brightwave develops new generation e-learning for Openreach

e-Learning specialist delivers suite of high impact health and safety training to engineer community

Delivering the products required by all of the UK's communications providers is a complex task so Openreach, a BT Group business, selected Brightwave, the workplace communication, learning and performance specialist to design a series of video rich interactive learning experiences that ensure their employees meet rigorous training and regulatory requirements.

The objectives of these programmes are to ensure that Openreach employees are aware of hazards and potential areas of legislative non-compliance that they may face.

The programmes cover areas such as The New Roads and Street Works Traffic Management Act, Fire Awareness, The IOSH Safety Passport, Emergency Response Planning and maintaining contractor safety when working with Network Rail.

The programmes were commissioned by Openreach to meet new legislative requirements over multiple areas of business. The courses also provide clear, auditable training, which is a requirement of new legislation and failure to comply with such legislation could result in prosecution. Course completion and understanding is monitored through the completion of assessments which are integrated with Openreach's own Learning Management System enabling simple tracking and reporting. The courses are also designed to provide assistance in obtaining formal qualified contractor status such as the IOSH Safety Passport, a requirement for all engineers working on a construction site.

Brightwave's innovative approach has created an engaging experience that not only meets HSE guidelines but is also media rich and highly interactive, key to improving retention of knowledge and ultimately adherence to safe practices in the job.

"Compliance training is too often dry in presentation and lacks the context employees need to fully understand the implications of their own behaviour in meeting best practice and regulatory standards. Our design approach is to capture attention and engage the learner through practical, recognisable scenarios, often using video to provide necessary emotional resonance." said Lars Hyland, Director of Learning Services for Brightwave. "We are delighted with the highly successful working relationship both Openreach and Brightwave have developed through these projects, as it demonstrates that creative design and context is crucial to effective learning and performance."