
Bright Horizons
In January 2018, The Skill Network began an exclusive partnership with childcare provider Bright Horizons to provide distance learning qualifications.
This partnership has provided Bright Horizons employees with access to fully funded training courses in a range of subject areas pertinent to their day-to-day childcare responsibilities which will be used to enhance their knowledge and skills further. These courses include our Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism, Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading and Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Customer Service.
Since launching the partnership across all England settings in January, the relationship has continued to prosper, and we have seen visible success through increased enrolments and an expansion of our course offering. As of May 2018, we have supported over 400 Bright Horizons employees to enrol onto a level 2 qualification and have now launched our training opportunities across all Scotland settings.
Carole Henderson, Professional Development Partnership Manager at Bright Horizons, said:
“We are really pleased with the customer service and the partnership delivery that we have received from The Skills Network. The courses have been met with extraordinary enthusiasm across the organisation and some colleagues are amazed that they’ve been able to access an accredited qualification at no cost.”
“I think it was highly beneficial that colleagues were able to complete the qualifications via both online learning and paper-based resources, as then everyone has the same opportunity to complete the qualifications. With the online learning, I thought it was brilliant that we were able to view online resources, complete assessments online and ultimately keep track of our progression throughout the course. We have found the courses and qualifications very practical, and importantly, easy to access and complete.”
“We received high quality marketing material regularly that we use on our weekly newsletter to nursery managers and support office colleagues.”

G4S
In 2014/15, G4S and The Skills Network collaborated to develop a compliant e-learning qualification to ensure G4S staff in the Events aspect of the business were given the appropriate skills and knowledge to be able to provide security and stewarding at some of the world’s most famous events.
An innovative approach saw a successful roll-out of e-learning to staff across the UK, with multiple benefits, including:
- Cost savings of over £800,000
- Over 2,000 skilled staff qualified to steward at any major UK event
- An innovative and interactive e-learning qualification which met both internal policies and external regulations
- A relationship which will enable more than 25,000 G4S staff to benefit from innovative e-learning in the future.
The Skills Network identified an opportunity to develop a training programme which mapped to a UK qualification. This would ensure a comprehensive and structured way to ensure all staff were trained to the standards required by G4S and the industry within a 12-week period.
Working closely with awarding body NCFE, The Skills Network jointly submitted the qualification for funding approval. As long as staff members met the eligibility criteria for funding, the programme would be funded for that individual, meaning that this would come at no cost to G4S.
Utilising The Skills Network’s innovative online learning platform, EQUAL, the course offers exciting and engaging content, interactive features including video case studies, live event footage and and gamification to enhance learning and virtual tutors who offer hints, tips and guidance throughout the course.
Although the qualification was delivered via a distance learning method, The Skills Network supported each member of G4S staff with a dedicated remote Tutor and a Learner Support Advisor. Staff could contact their dedicated support team via the system, email or phone.
Eric Alexander, Managing Director at G4S Events, said:
“This project has given a new level of confidence to the operational managers within the G4S Events division. They can be assured that staff have been given a quality and engaging training programme and that they are deploying people with skills. All of which can be captured through the system, which is necessary to demonstrate to customers .”It’s incumbent on companies like G4S and The Skills Network to drive efficient and effective alternatives to face to face delivery whilst maintaining standards. This project has certainly done that, whilst delivering a truly great piece of e-learning.”