Ingredients:

• One dedicated Microsoft Master
• 500+ employees keen to update IT skills
• IT training suite

We have our own dedicated in house Microsoft Master Instructor, who delivers training sessions for all Trust employees. The continuous training programme is on-site and encourages full independent use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook programmes.

All programmes have introductory, intermediate and advanced level training, mainly delivered in two hour modules, giving employees the chance to learn IT skills from scratch at a time to fit in with their work routine.

When employees join us they are asked to complete an IT training questionnaire which is used to assess the most appropriate courses and training programme for their individual needs. Existing employees regularly receive refresher IT training and are kept up to date with new programmes.

The Trust is a registered OCR examinations centre with CLAiT courses at levels 1 and 2 for our employees to gain a recognised qualification for their use of IT.

Courses are delivered in our own IT training suite with modern facilities including an interactive whiteboard.

Results:

• On-site training means courses are easy to attend with minimum of travelling and work time lost
• All 500 Trust employees’ IT skills and awareness of latest programmes are regularly updated
• IT Training has been extended to members of the Tenants’ Panel
• All sheltered housing Scheme Managers now have a networked PC, and many are taking the CLAiT qualification, to improve their skills and confidence of using IT in the workplace
• Trust Tradesmen also attended CLAiT courses  for half a day each week and have gained the qualification; this went hand-in-hand with them starting to use the Hand-e-Work mobile repairs system
• The Trust has opened up the training courses and the facility to other organisations including South Shropshire Housing Association, South Staffs Housing Association and West Mercia Supplies
• The Trust’s Microsoft Master has delivered training on-site at Dorcas Housing Association and Bridgnorth District Council.

For more information contact Andrea Jones on 01952 217081.