Ethos Public Relations Manchester

E-learning thrives in social housing sector

by Ethos public relations

An e-learning provider with a specialist academy in the social housing sector is celebrating 15 years of success with news that turnover has hit £3.5m a year as the total number of registered e-learners across Virtual College exceeds 350,000 for the first time.

Virtual College has harnessed specific markets by evolving a portfolio of e-Academies in  the housing, healthcare, safeguarding children, food and drink, and trades sectors – and together offer over 100 online courses.

The Housing e-Academy drives forward adoption of e-learning within the social housing sector. Its increasing membership is made up of individuals and organisations that work within, or provide support, for the UK housing sector. It currently provides e-learning courses to over 9,000 individuals working within, alongside or affected by 27 social housing providers nationwide.

Housing e-Academy Chloe Weatherhead said: “The number of registered Virtual College e-learners is growing at an average rate of around 3,000 per month so that our customer base now stands at 360,000. This increase reflects Virtual College’s ability to meet the changing demands of our various clients, to respond quickly to economic pressure and to continue to develop new bespoke products for the industry. ”

Virtual College now has a 63-strong workforce and ten freelance consultants and continues to thrive, as individuals, businesses and organisations across both the public and private sectors seek to access innovative, flexible and cost-effective training solutions.

The UK e-learning market 2009 report forecasts growth rates of between 6.7 per cent and 8 per cent in 2010 alone for the e-learning industry as more and more business recognise the benefits of using e-learning for their staff and customers.

“E-learning is an increasingly popular and proven alternate route to traditional face-to-face training, adds Chloe. “Geographical restrictions are removed and learners can access their training at a pace, place and time to suit them which is why e-learning is providing to be so popular in the social housing sector.”

For more information about e-learning call 01943 885085 or e-mail info@housingea.co.uk.

Posted at 16^th August 2010