E-Learning brings world-class training right to your desktop (page 1 of 4)

IDC Research estimates that the global e-learning market is now growing at an annual compound rate of 150 per cent and predicts that it is now worth $23 billion. Furthermore, Gartner Group believes that more than two thirds of Global 1000 enterprises now include e-learning as part of a formal Business to Employee (B2E) initiative.

The ubiquitous availability of the Internet, more user-friendly technology and improved IT infrastructures are setting the stage for this widespread uptake in e-learning. Internet connection rates are improving all the time, sophisticated software packages are available that let employers insert their own training materials, and some suppliers even offer a "hosted" e-learning system, which means that in-house IT staff do not need to be pulled off projects to manage or fix the training software.

Many HR executives are now also considering e-learning to improve productivity, reduce the cost of holding physical seminars, minimise training expenses and improve knowledge sharing. Another key driver is the global focus on good corporate governance in line with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the United States and the adoption of the new International Accounting Standards.

"It is impossible for any organisation to achieve compliance unless all its employees have the necessary skills, capabilities and training, and not simply in their day-to-day duties but also in the business practices, ethical guidelines and regulatory or statutory requirements," said Brian Gregory, a Senior Director at Oracle, one of the leading suppliers of e-learning software.

"In a large multinational organisation, communicating to, training and monitoring the workforce is a difficult matter, but one that can be made a lot simpler with the use of e-learning linked to a Human Resource Management System that records and monitors skills and capabilities."

British Airways is one of the large multinationals using a new, comprehensive e-learning offering from Oracle and Thomson NETg to create a global learning program for its 48,000 employees that will cut operational costs and improve professional development.

The partnership between Oracle and NETg ensures interoperability between Oracle® Learning Management - an Oracle application that helps organisations manage, deliver and track training programmes in online and classroom-based environments - and the NETg Open Learning library, a comprehensive offering of IT, desktop, business and professional development courses.

British Airways is using Oracle Learning Management and NETg Open Learning to transform its existing training strategy into an integrated learning programme that manages hundreds of online and traditional courses for its global workforce.

The system's open architecture is helping British Airways cut implementation time and costs by connecting existing training courses and importing employee data to the new learning programme. As a result, British Airways is able to further its commitment to employee safety and professional development in a cost-effective and timely way.

"The integration of Oracle and NETg technologies is making it possible for British Airways to deploy our learning programme efficiently around the world," said Graeme Davison, Oracle Learning Management Implementation Manager at British Airways. "The combined solution has provided British Airways with a comprehensive learning programme that trains our global workforce in critical areas such as baggage safety and airport security, and empowers employees to manage and track their personal training progress."

Because Oracle Learning Management is integrated with Oracle Human Resource Management System (HRMS), British Airways can track training programmes alongside other learning activity for a comprehensive view of employees' personal and skills development growth.

The system's self-service capabilities enable British Airways employees to register for courses, participate in classes, access in-depth information and manage their training schedules through an intuitive online portal.