SME Advisor Case Study

HR and Health and Safety Consultancy

From its base in Barnham, Sussex, SME Advisor provides a range of HR and Health and Safety consultancy services to small-to-medium-sized businesses, across a variety of sectors. Their highly experienced team works with businesses with between five and 100 employees where it isn’t viable to employ a full-time HR or Health and Safety professional.

SME Advisor used classroom training, where necessary, to support its consultancy work, but found it usually wasn’t cost-effective for the company or its clients.

They looked for eLearning solutions, but couldn’t find what they were looking for.

‘We’d actually given up the search,’ says Director, Paul Beard, ‘then along came VideoTile!’

‘VideoTile courses feature a virtual classroom where a tutor talks to you, supported by animated information. This combination ticked the box which is why we think it’s a winning formula. Now, around 90% of our training revenue comes through VideoTile courses as opposed to traditional methods.’

‘We introduce VideoTile courses to existing and new clients to allow them to achieve compliance. SME Advisor proposals will also include suggested VideoTile topics and a couple of free courses for them to try out.’

‘VideoTile support is very good. Recently, they populated our website with their new courses, which was really helpful.’

‘Videotile was the missing link for us. Before, potential clients would have to go to another provider for some of their training requirements. Now, we have closed that gap by offering VideoTile solutions.’

‘After an 18 months search, we eventually found VideoTile – exactly what we were looking for!’

Paul Beard

Director, SME Advisor

Embark Learning Case Study

Health and Social Care Sector

On 1 August 2019, Fairway Training launched its exciting new trading style and brand ‘Embark Learning’.

Embark Learning will build on the outstanding performance and national reputation of Fairway Training, which has delivered almost a quarter of a million courses and qualifications across the nation, supplying training to many of the top 20 care providers in the UK. Clients include organisations such as national healthcare support services, the UK’s largest housing associations, city councils and small independent care homes.

‘Embark Learning is now focussing on the evolution of the ‘Learner Journey’,’ says Operations Director, Alex O’Neill.

‘It’s a concept which can be applied to people from the ‘hard to reach and unemployed’ to those looking for career change or career development.’

‘Embark Learning will offer sector-based work academies to the entire health and social care sector, through blended learning packages.’

‘Blended Learning packages are a mix of short-course, classroom-based training, online VideoTile training and Virtual Reality learning – the next big step in technological training development.’

‘This approach ensures clients receive maximum value from their training budget by tapping into the vast portfolio of online learning that Videotile and Embark have made available.’

‘Employees can complete VideoTile courses off-site, at their own convenience, freeing up precious time to concentrate on bespoke, classroom training.’

‘The working relationship with Videotile remains strong, open and communicative, with great ideas being shared across both businesses.’

‘All of this feeds seamlessly in to the formal qualification pathway. Allowing people to progress though apprenticeships at Level 2 and 3, as well as diplomas in health and social care – the journey really does become endless.’

‘Our relationship with Videotile continues to be one of creativity, openness and innovation. VideoTile online training gives learners and clients greater options and possibilities with regard to compliance and CPD. It’s a win-win for all concerned and means training really is seen as a huge positive in all organisations.’

Alex O'Neill

Operations Director, Embark Learning

TSS Facilities Case Study

Facilities Management

TSS Facilities Ltd is a facilities management company based in Hove, Sussex. The company has been trading for 47 years and covers four main disciplines – commercial heating, electrical, air conditioning and legionella. TSS Facilities holds maintenance contracts with universities, schools, hotels and local authorities.

‘Before we started using VideoTile,’ says Water Treatment Director, Steve Tugwell, ‘we offered classroom-based training which was only suitable for large groups. But, now, training is available as a mix of classroom training and VideoTile courses for everyone – right down to single people at separate or remote sites. Typically, we train premises managers, people in charge of office blocks, caretakers, and client staff who handle maintenance and need to be aware of other issues that could affect their role.’

The company also uses classroom training and VideoTile e-learning courses to explain large complex reports, such as Legionella risk assessments.

‘We encourage new clients to use VideoTile, as it goes hand-in-hand with our classroom training,’ explains Steve. ‘It’s particularly useful for clients who have to undertake risk assessments. Without the training, they often think of it as a chore. They never really buy into it. But after taking the VideoTile course, they understand the importance of the assessments, and instantly become more positive and enthusiastic.’

‘When there’s new legislation, technical enhancements or other industry changes, we use VideoTile to train our own staff. We also offer VideoTile courses to our admin people to give them a better idea of what the company does.’

We sell lots of VideoTile course to clients and they really do work. We would definitely recommend VideoTile. It’s a neat, cost-effective professional solution.

Steve Tugwell

Water Treatment Director, TSS Facilities Ltd

Westminster Compliance Case Study

Health and Safety and Fire Safety

Westminster Compliance LLP is a Hertfordshire-based consultancy dealing with all aspects of Health and Safety and Fire Safety, offering comprehensive systems to help organisations manage their compliance with legislation.

Its systems include basic and industry specific, face-to-face training.

However, there are times when certain client staff can’t make the face-to-face sessions, because they’re working away. That’s when VideoTile courses are used because they can be worked through remotely.

They’re also used where, for example, just a few people need specific training and the cost of arranging face-to-face sessions can’t be justified, or because without the training, the client can’t work on a particular site or can’t get some specific accreditation.

‘We’ve been using VideoTile for three years,’ says, Senior Partner, Nigel Lack. ‘Their courses are professionally produced, up-to-date and economically viable and increasingly, our clients approach us to buy access to stand-alone online courses.’

‘I think VideoTile also makes Westminster Compliance look more professional, and we don’t have to signpost clients to other companies to get things done.’

‘With VideoTile online courses we can offer the widest possible range of Health and Safety training with so many different options for clients. I think it’s been very good for us.’

‘Our existing clients like the VideoTile courses and we always feature them when presenting to new clients.’

‘Working with the VideoTile guys is really great. They know their stuff, are very friendly and always there when you need them.’

Nigel Lack

Senior Partner, Westminster Compliance

Alfa Consultancy Case Study

Health and Safety training and consultancy

Alfa Consultancy, based in Richmond, North Yorkshire offers nation-wide Health and Safety training and consultancy to clients across the UK.

The Alfa Consultancy team has over 20 years’ experience as Occupation Safety and Heath professionals in a variety of sectors, including major construction, building maintenance, retail construction, H&S consultancy, H&S training, behavioural safety training and leadership development.

‘We offer a mix of training to meet individual client needs,’ says Safety Consultant and Trainer, Neil Sheehan. ‘This could include face-to-face training at the client’s premises or in our own classrooms, plus highly cost-effective VideoTile online training.’

‘The VideoTile courses can be part of a package where they’re used before classroom training to cover the basics, so we hit the road running, or afterwards as a refresher courses to maintain awareness. VideoTile courses are increasingly being purchased as ‘stand-alone’ training which avoids pulling workers away from their productive jobs, and they can be completed at the workers own pace, in their own time.’

‘One of our recent clients is Asda, and they’ve bought 2000 licenses to give them access to all the VideoTile courses.’

‘VideoTile courses are an excellent way of showing clients how effective online training can be. Take the construction sector. They’re practical people and the culture tends to prefer face-to-face. But when I show them Videotile examples and explain how online training can be integrated with classroom sessions, the mindset changes. In fact, everybody I’ve shown VideoTile to thinks it’s a great tool.’

‘I think VideoTile is unique – the best sort of online training going. Because here are people teaching you. I’m a great believer in it, and when I introduce it to clients and trainees, they love it.’

Neil Sheehan,

Safety Consultant and Trainer, Alfa Consultancy

Darcy Associates Case Study

Construction Sector Recruitment Agency

Founded in 2015, Darcy Associates is a successful recruitment agency specialising in the construction sector. With offices in Bristol, London, Birmingham and Liverpool, the company has worked with over 200 clients in the last three years, registering 35,000 candidates and filling 97 per cent of vacancies.

‘Training and upskilling candidates, either before, or within a fortnight of them starting their new job, has always been a key part of the Darcy Associates philosophy,’ says Director, Nathan Ferris.

‘VideoTile has been a perfect fit for our approach. As well as using the courses to upskill our candidates, we sell them direct to our clients to train their own internal staff.’

‘VideoTile courses are high quality, cost-effective, easy to understand and the standard of training is excellent. They provide the right information and are very engaging, which is not what we see from most online training companies. Feedback from trainees and clients is always very positive.’

‘We use all their construction course videos, particularly Asbestos Awareness, Working at Height and Abrasive Wheels. And as everything is handled by VideoTile, its hassle-free for us.

Finally, their support is exceptionally good, although, to be honest, we haven’t had any hitches. The software works as it’s meant to with no technical flaws. Communication is good from everybody at VideoTile.

‘VideoTile online training brings big benefits to our candidates and keeps our clients coming back for more. It’s an online platform that works without a hitch! It’s very good for the efficiency of our operation and my personal peace of mind!’

Nathan Ferris

Director, Darcy Associates

Production Process

As an online training production service we manage all the creative stages from researching and interpreting the course materials to studio and location recordings.

Briefing and Research

We consult closely with subject experts to understand the learning objectives, style and required tone of voice for the specific audience. We gather as much information as possible from the existing course content and by further discussions with leading experts as necessary. All courses are approved and accredited by leading industry bodies, so it is critical to get the content factually accurate.

Talent

Dependent upon the look and style required, a presenter is picked from a selection of pre-auditioned talent. We select the best presenter that fits the required look, feel and style of the online course. The presenter, like a course tutor, must build rapport with the audience so this is also a big consideration when choosing the right talent.

Script

We employ professional scriptwriters who create the scripts produced from the briefing. It is very important to get the learning message across in short interactive elements. Statistics have indicated that you have a maximum of 10 seconds to capture visitor attention on a webpage. The VideoTile script must be immediately relevant to the learner and subject matter.

Storyboard

Having fully understood the requirements of the course we then develop an overall idea or concept for the content and as necessary any associated graphic elements. This is conveyed as a story board to give our experts the opportunity to provide further input and influence the creative process.

Graphics and Gamification

Animated graphics are created that are synchronised to the presenter’s delivery helping to reinforce the learning message and provide further stimulus to hold audience attention. These graphics can also form part of the clickable interactive content on the page for additional navigation and interaction as required. We also use the main principles of gaming to create an engaging learning environment.

Recording

VideoTile recording is carried out at our specially equipped studios and using the very latest filming techniques and technology for location shoots. Presenters use autocue to ensure that they are word perfect and that the all-important eye contact is maintained. Over the past 10 years we have perfected many in studio techniques that maximise quality while providing an interesting and animated delivery.

Editing

Once recorded, the raw video content is then edited and keyed to provide the final video component that will be used in the eLearning course. This editing process can add a great deal of visual creativity as the basic recording can be digitally manipulated and composed in three dimensions to deliver the required effect.

Delivery

VideoTile Learning content is delivered via our in house created Learning Management System.

Our LMS has been developed and refined over the last 10 years. It has two interfaces, a dashboard for the distributor and another for the customer.

The distributor or learning providers dashboard allows you to manage your customers’ accounts.

The customer dashboard is where the candidates go to do the training. Your customer can use the dashboard to manage any number of candidates. It’s mobile-responsive and can deliver extensive reports. If needed, it will work side-by-side with an existing LMS, via our open API.

The system includes all the features you would expect from a LMS – and much more.