2008 is screaming towards its end and it is a time to look at what has been achieved and consolidate the direction for 2009.
2008 has been a "bringing it all together year" for SSI. The early years (from the 90's on) were focussed on "train the trainer" to support delivery of traineeships. We branched into e-learning to combine with workplace learning and provide more flexibility for learners. As WE developed our skills and learned more we branched into provision of PD and implementing e-learning for other organisations and businesses.
In 2008 the emphasis has been on practicing what we preached. Interestingly the Flexible Learning Framework focussed on IMPLEMENTATION of e-learning and that was just what we had decided to do. It is easy to say how "e-learning can make learning more engaging and more accessible" but for credibility you need to show how it can be done..... and actually have done it!!!
We have therefore gone back to our roots and built up the TAA and traineeship side of the business and used the tools we believe make learning engaging and accessible anywhere anytime.
Surprise, surprise it wasn't as easy as we thought. It was a little like the old story of running out front with the flag and looking behind to find very few are following. Baby steps were required and even MORE flexible approaches. Hopefully our clients learned heaps because we did. We learned a lot about coaching and change management and these will soon be added to the SSI product list.
The impending economic challenges are going to provide opportunities for training organisations. The skills shortages are still in mind which should keep the focus on continued training. However the downturn is going to relieve some pressures and create others. There are signs in the economy already of a "value for money" approach. E-learning provides an opportunity to address this - opportunites that we are going to be ready to grasp.
