Learning with Moodle
By Tom Butler, head of sales & marketing, Fensa
The GGF Skilled Pathways Scheme was launched in September 2021. It was, and continues to be, a significant investment by the federation to attract the next generation of talented workers into an industry that has an ageing workforce and a need to futureproof a number of businesses.
The launch of the Skilled Pathways Scheme in both glazing and glass processing is a small step as part of a bigger challenge of delivering industry wide competency for our sector.
The push to evidence competency within high-risk buildings, or even more widespread via schemes such as ‘License UK Construction’, will not only require the new generation of staff to be trained, but also for the more experienced workers to prove competency and continually develop their own skills and knowledge of the specialised products our industry produces.
Not only will this increase output for the sector it will position our industry to tackle the challenges of achieving Net Zero, offer a higher level of consumer confidence and improve the image of our industry.
A key consideration as part of the Skilled Pathways Scheme was finding a training platform that would provide GGF members and their new trainees with everything they needed to start their career in the industry. But it was more than that.
An area for concern was not only how technical information was delivered but how to assess and record knowledge, skills and behaviours in a way that can be externally assessed and avoid bias.
The question was how best to provide this online component? After looking at various options, the answer became evident very quickly. Moodle.
Moodle began development in 1999. It is a free and open-source learning management system used for blended learning, distance education and other online learning schemes in schools, universities, workplaces and other sectors.
Moodle is one of the top three online learning platforms and is used worldwide. In the UK for example the Open University currently uses Moodle, with about 200,000 users, and HM Government uses a Moodle installation for their Civil Service Learning platform.
Moodle’s modular system is an ideal means of providing step by step knowledge with the facility for the assessors to access each trainee’s progress on various training modules. The trainee’s individual timeline for the training also provides excellent feedback on any areas where that individual needs additional support or guidance. The system can be accessed by mobile, PC, Mac or tablet providing the trainee the opportunity to use it while travelling to and from their workplace or site. It is a unique offering within the industry.
The GGF technical team, in partnership with GQA Qualifications and our training partners Total Support Training, have created a huge back catalogue of training opportunities currently available to GGF members using the Moodle platform.
The GGF recognise the difficulties training can put on scheduling a company’s manufacturing or installation programmes and that is why the GGF has built something that can be accessed with ease and online, improving flexibility of learning.
The relevant GGF departments are currently working on a total of 41 modules that provide up to date information on technical, health, safety environmental and behavioural practices that will give access to a foundation of knowledge that will make the trainees on the Skilled Pathways Scheme an asset to our industry.
The modular system offered by Moodle will allow the GGF to map learning to existing NVQ’s, provide add-on courses and continued professional development for the trainees or indeed can be offered as stand-alone courses for members and members’ staff going forward.
It’s part of a comprehensive training offering for the industry that hasn’t previously been available. GGF members signed up to the Skilled Pathways Scheme are already taking advantage of it and it has the potential to make a significant difference for companies looking to enhance the skills of their workforce and stand out from the crowd.
