World of learning award winners 2004

The winners of the prestigious World of Learning Awards 2004, the highest accolade in the UK training industry, were unveiled on 17 November at a glittering ceremony at the NEC, Birmingham, during the World of Learning Conference and Exhibition.

The standard of entries was so high that the judging panel made the decision to award Runners-Up and Special Commendations in a number of categories ñ a first this year ñ to recognise the quality of those submissions.

The Awards were presented by acclaimed comedian and writer Sean Lock.

Bespoke Solution of the Year

Sponsored by British Learning Association
This category recognises a tailor-made solution that has had a positive impact on the organisation that commissioned it. The standard of entries for this category were exceptional and the judges were particularly impressed with those submissions that were highly interactive.

Winner: Logicom Training Solutions ñ Real World Environments CBT for British Gas Service Engineers
This 3D highly interactive ëReal World Environmentítakes service engineers through the process of visiting a customerís house. Used by both learners and experienced engineers, the course has been installed on 8,000 field laptops to date. Overall, the project has seen extensive improvements in the training of engineers, with the product supporting business objectives as well as meeting technical training requirements.

Blended Solution of the Year
Sponsored by Arena4

This category highlighted some significant product developments and interesting solutions that met real business needs.

Winner: BBC ñ BBC Leadership Programme
Over 1500 BBC leaders have completed, or are in the process of completing, this tailor-made, blended learning initiative aimed at improving leadership skills right across the BBC. The programme has had a profound impact on leadership and management thinking and behaviour.

Runner Up: National College for School Leadership
Leading from the Middle is an innovative professional development programme for small groups of middle leaders in schools.

Generic Solution of the Year
Sponsored by Centre for Management Creativity
One of the key judging criteria for this category was the ease with which a generic product could be adapted for a variety of organisations and achieve significant demonstrable results.

Winner: Above & Beyond ñ Ten ways to avoid death by PowerPoint
Ten Ways to Avoid Death by PowerPoint is a novel and innovative way of teaching presenters how to create visual aids that really make a difference. The high level of both national and international sales is testament to its success.

Special Commendation: Skill Boosters & Employerís Forum on Disability ñ Disability Confident
A fully accessible, comprehensive and engaging training resource to empower organisations to be disability confident ñ both capable and aware.

Online Solution of the Year
Sponsored by The Paralegal Association
This category showcases online solutions that have made a significant impact on the performance of users.

Winner: Cimex Media / E-Skills UK ñ Computer Clubs for Girls (CC4G)
Computer Clubs for Girls (CC4G) is a voluntary, online e-learning based club for 10-13 year-olds. Designed to address the low levels of Information and Communication Technology take-up by girls, the course is highly creative and particularly effective at recognising the motivation and interests of its target audience.

Runner Up: Cylix & Ufi ñ Keyboard Tutor
Learn how to use the computer keyboard.

Instructor-Led Solution of the Year
Sponsored by PC Coaching
All entries in this category had to demonstrate how instructor-led training has contributed to an organisationís or individualís improved performance.

The Negotiation Academy Europe Pty ñ Advanced Negotiation Training
This wide-reaching programme to empower organisations to increase profitability and learn from deals through the use of researched best practice has resulted in more consistent market messaging, increased customer trust and an improvement to the bottom line.

Training Venue of the Year
Sponsored by PSL
A new category for 2004, Training Venue of the Year recognises a diverse range of exceptional training venues that offer high levels of service and support to the training industry.
Winner: The Robinson Centre ñ The Robinson Centre
The Robinson Centre was founded five years ago and is a four-star residential training and conference centre with a reputation for being one of the countryís finest venues for residential and day training.

Runner Up: The Mller Centre ñ The Mller Centre
The Mller Centre provides a focused environment, excellent service, fine food and purpose-designed facilities all tailored to the clientsí needs

Special Commendation: High Trenhouse ñ High Trenhouse
A high quality residential learning environment splendidly isolated in a magnificent location, available only for exclusive group use.

Outstanding Contribution to the Training Industry
Sponsored by learndirect
This award recognises the impact of an individual not only on the organisations with which they have worked but, more importantly, on the industry as a whole.

Winner: Clive Shepherd ñ Nominated by the Institute of IT Training Spanning more than 20 years, Clive Shepherdís career has been devoted to the promotion and advancement of e-learning. A tireless innovator and communicator, with endless enthusiasm for technology-assisted learning, Cliveís passion is now shared by hundreds of his readers, students, clients and colleagues.

Learning Resource Centre Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Learning Magazine

This category rewards the achievements of an individual who has managed a Learning Resource Centre for the past 12-18 months, during which time business performance and cost-effectiveness have improved and the skills sets and motivation of learners has increased.

Winner: Jo Richler ñ Wigan & Leigh College
Jo Richler has succeeded in creating a Learning Resource Centre that is beneficial, interesting and pleasurable and an empowering experience for the learner.

New Learner Award

Sponsored by learndirect
This category recognises an individual who, after a significant absence from learning, has taken a learndirect course and gone on to improve their own future, while also inspiring others to learn.

Winner: Ron Knowles
Ron Knowles fully embodies the spirit of learndirect.


Training Provider of the Year
Voted for by training professionals, this is the ultimate accolade for training providers and has been won for the second time by BBC Worldwide.

Alison Church, Awards Manager at World of Learning 2004 commented, ìThis year saw a record number of entries across all categories and the standard of all submissions far surpassed previous years. The fact that the judging panel had an exceptionally difficult task this year and awarded special commendations and runners up in a number of categories is testimony to the continuing innovation and advancement in the training industry.î