ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland and
Labrador, Sept. 16, 2014 /CNW/ -- The results of its
analysis have been tallied, and Bluedrop Learning Networks today
revealed the successful completion of the SmartForceNL program
designed for the provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada. The program launched in 2011 as a
comprehensive online workforce development initiative to identify
and close the skills gaps of workers and businesses within the
province.
The results of the program showed positive progress in a number
of key areas:
- Over 90 percent of Newfoundland and Labrador's workforce is employed by small- to
mid-sized businesses (SMBs)—under 20 employees—which have
historically lacked the financial means to access the training
tools needed to remain competitive.
- To meet this need, Bluedrop Learning Networks deployed a
completely custom software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution that
included over 20 hours of custom courseware to meet priority areas
and supplement specific skills gaps, incorporating local context,
examples and relevant case studies.
- The project was initially designed to offer 10,000 pre-paid
courses and target 500 companies. Due to the significant demand,
almost all of the courses were claimed within the first eight
months. In 2012, the province extended the program by adding
another 10,000 courses. Due to the significant success of the
program, Bluedrop also added an additional 8,000 courses at its own
expense as part of its community development efforts.
- By the end of the program in January
2013, over 15,000 people had registered from all regions of
the province, representing six percent of its workforce. More than
800 employers also took advantage of the program.
Registration is still ongoing and continues to grow each
month.
- The system provides the province with data on in-demand
professional development-related skills sought after among
employers and employees in Newfoundland and Labrador.
SUPPORTING QUOTES:
- Emad Rizkalla, founder and
CEO of Bluedrop Learning Networks, said:
"Fifty percent of employees' work knowledge and skills change every
three years. This trend highlights the critical business need for
training, yet effective solutions have long been out of reach for
smaller businesses. Bluedrop addressed this challenge by delivering
the technology and context-specific training these businesses need
to level the playing field for SMBs and individuals in the
Newfoundland and Labrador workforce. The results here far
exceeded my expectations."
- Ron Taylor, CEO of the
Newfoundland and Labrador Advanced
Technology Industry (NATI), said:
"Governments and workforce organizations need to have training
solutions that are repeatable, scalable, and provide a low cost per
user solution to give unemployed and small business employees with
just in time training to meet their immediate skills
gaps. Bluedrop is establishing a new standard for online
learning and is helping to ensure that individuals receive the
training they need to be more relevant and productive within their
market."
For more information, visit:
http://www.bluedroplearningnetworks.com/, and follow Bluedrop on
Twitter @bluedrop_LN, LinkedIn and
Facebook.
About Bluedrop
Bluedrop Performance Learning (TSX-V:
BPL) is an innovator in workplace training for individuals,
corporations, military personnel and the public sector. Bluedrop
recently created Bluedrop Learning Networks to offer simple,
scalable training delivery. Launched in 2004, with six offices and
over 160 employees, Bluedrop is transforming the workplace by
designing, developing and delivering practical, actionable and
affordable training content that improves individual and overall
performance of organizations. For more information,
visit www.bluedrop.com.
Media contact:
Peggy Tierney
Galvin
Nadel Phelan, Inc.
peggy@nadelphelan.com
Phone: 831-440-2405
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SOURCE Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc.