Focus launches E-Learning across the University
Continuous Improvement training is now available to all staff
Focus is increasing its impact by extending its training offer to colleagues across the University so that a wider group can benefit from its approach. Why not give it a go and see how Focus skills can help you and your team?
“Very well designed, with clear steps and content”
Training focuses on Continuous Improvement – or ‘CI’ for short. CI is a way of working that helps us to improve processes through frequent, small, positive changes. It’s a mindset and skillset that anyone can learn and adopt, and will help us to make tangible improvements to our working lives.
“..such informative courses and easy on the eye as well!”
Sara Passmore is Head of Continuous Improvement with the Focus team. She says: ‘We’re really excited to launch our CI Learning Pathway which will give all staff the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of CI and begin working together to apply their skills in practical situations within their local teams.’
The modular e-Learning format means you can work through the training at your chosen time and pace. The training is tailored specifically to teach tools and approaches that have already succeeded in our University environment, and its highly practical slant supports you in taking your first steps. The e-learning is supplemented with further resources on the Focus LaunchPad, including case studies, templates and practical workbooks. As Sara is keen to emphasise, ‘CI is something you need to put into action not just learn in theory!’
Focus has already been working with a small number of Local Practitioners to pilot and embed the E-Learning approach, and feedback has been very positive. Mareli Grady from Department of Statistics & Mathematical Institute says “The FOCUS e-learning is very well designed, with clear steps and content. The modular format means that it is simple to fit into a busy workload, and I have found it easy to engage with. I’ve already started implementing many of the tools as part of projects and have found it has helped me to improve my own ways of working too.”
Irina Horodinca from Said Business School has reflected that the courses have “motivated me to reflect more often and to observe the processes that I am involved in more carefully. It is true that I used to take time to think about my work in the past, but never in such a structured way and I feel like the online modules have given me just the framework to do that.”
Sara Passmore says: ‘The University’s strategic commitment to Continuous Improvement has been redoubled with the launch this month of Professional Services Together, and CI skills will increasingly become a core skill for all of us seeking personal and professional development. I encourage you to enrol on the training and see what it offers! We will also soon be launching the CI Community of Practice to share successes and learning, and encourage active participation in this forum.’
You can access eLearning via the Focus LaunchPad.
The steps on the learning pathway
Each is a module in the e-learning suite.
Pathway steps: 1 Introducing Continuous Improvement, 2 Valuing your customers, 3 Improving Processes, 4 Solving problems, 5 Implementing changes and 6 Enhancing performance
