What is a managed learning service?

What is a managed learning service

Managed Learning/Training Service

A Managed Learning Service (or Managed Training Service) is when an outside company provides a service to manage some or all aspects of organisational learning.  The functions that a Managed Training Service provider may offer include the following:

  • Sourcing external training
  • L&D Administration
  • Supplier management
  • Reducing costs
  • Learning needs analysis
  • Management Information

Sourcing external training

This is the most basic service offered by a Managed Learning Services provider. You tell the provider your requirements and the solution you want.   The provider will use their experience and procurement knowledge to source the solution that is the best value for money for you, providing excellent training at a good price. A good Managed Training Services provider will provide several options and you can choose the one that is right for your company. A great Managed Learning Services Provider will be more proactive and undertake a quick learning needs analysis to get to the heart of the issue.

L&D administration

This is the biggest reason most companies choose to work with a Managed Learning Services provider. It achieves outsourcing all the time-consuming administrative duties such as booking forms, supplier contact, updating databases and organising dates.  This enables the L&D team to focus on key value-adding tasks such as strategy, engaging with senior management and working with employees. It enables them to be proactive, not reactive.

Supplier management

One of the most complex and time-consuming aspects of sourcing training is choosing and maintaining the best suppliers for the job. There are over 12,000 training providers in the UK today.  Finding the best ones for your organisation, if you have little experience of that market, is a long and complicated process.

The Managed Training Services provider will have extensive experience with the top trainers and providers. They will know those who deliver the best quality, with the best satisfaction and pass rates. They will know those who are reliable and easy to work with.  They make finding the best providers for your organisation quick and easy.

If you are already using a number of different suppliers then the Managed Training Services provider can undertake a supplier review, to optimise the number of suppliers and so reduce your administration overheads.

Reducing costs

Managed Training Services providers are able to negotiate discounts from providers as a result of their bulk buying power and can pass these savings on to their clients. Plus, training providers often have reseller agreements (normally equivalent to internal sales commission) that allow for large discounts to be given to Managed Learning Services companies.

Additionally, improved processes and efficiencies will result in a reduction in your overall cost of learning.

Learning needs analysis

This is a more advanced service offering and not offered by all Managed Training Services providers. Your provider will, on your behalf or with you, carry out an in-depth analysis of the organisation’s operations and the skill sets of the employees. This is used to determine which training solutions will most improve business performance. Individual needs are reviewed to ensure that they are related to company objectives. This process is crucial to developing an L&D strategy, which proactively manages the development of employees in a way that supports other key business priorities, and emphasises  L&D’s roles as an investment, not a cost.

Management information

Management information provides the metrics to measure the success of the learning strategy, enabling you to monitor, demonstrate and enhance the return on investment.

How Managed Training Services can work for you

If you are interested in finding out more about our managed learning service help L&D to add more value please click here, contact us on 0845 519 7408 or email us.

You may also be interested in our similar guides about choosing the right managed learning service provider and how best to implement them.