E-learning budget on the increase in the voluntary sector

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 16, 2010 -- E-learning budget on the increase in the voluntary sector

The biggest survey of learning technologies in the voluntary sector ever undertaken has revealed some interesting findings. More than 80 charities – representing more than 50,000 staff and volunteers - took part in the survey, carried out by independent e-learning analysts Towards Maturity in partnership with the Charity Learning Consortium (CLC). Findings revealed that:

Learning technologies are helping charities to deliver more for less:

The top four benefits of adopting learning technologies are: improving flexibility of learning; improving access to learning; cutting costs and increasing reach – important to organisations often relying on part time staff spread countrywide.

Moving forward, they are expecting even more from their investment:
Over 2/3 of participants are looking for their investment in learning technologies to help increase staff retention; to improve training quality; to increase the number of qualified staff; to enhance the induction process; to reduce time spent learning; and to improve administration efficiency.

There is tremendous enthusiasm to adopt new approaches to learning:
72% say their internal learning teams are willing to embrace change.

More than 60% are looking to increase their allocation of budget in this area:
With the emphasis behind investment being more about improving learning delivery and its impact, rather than just finding a ‘cheaper option’.

“In this study we wanted to see how innovatively charities are thinking about skills and the extent to which they are using technology to address the needs of staff and volunteers, particularly when budgets are stretched but demand for a wide range of skills continues to grow,” said Laura Overton, Managing Director of Towards Maturity.

Martin Baker, Managing Director of the CLC added: “We were particularly pleased to see that more than 30% of the charities that took part make e-learning available to directors and senior managers - when directors are using learning technologies, the overall business impact from e-learning investment is significantly higher. Leading through actions delivers results and we would expect those charities where directors are e-learners to benefit.”

You can read the full press release here: http://charitylearning.org/news/charity_training_news_benchmark.html
Other highlights from the survey include: What’s hot and what’s not in learning technologies in the voluntary sector.

Download the full report here: http://charitylearning.org/benchmark/index.html

Contacts: PR contact Susie Finch, email: trainingsusie@btconnect.com Tel 01453 768855 Mobile 07986 095 403. You can also contact Wendy Stanley at the CLC on 08451 707702 or report author Laura Overton at Towards Maturity on 07831144265.