Replacing outdated F2F training for Sandwell
with an engaging bespoke eLearning solution

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The Need

 
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council had historically delivered health and safety training face to face for their operational ground staff.

While effective, this approach was time-intensive and costly, particularly when refresher training was required. The council needed a more sustainable and flexible solution that could support ongoing competence, reinforcement and compliance without repeatedly pulling staff away from operational duties.

Key requirements included:

Their key requirements were clear:

• A cost-effective way to deliver refresher training, reducing reliance on face-to-face sessions
• Learning that could be used as both a full programme or a targeted refresher, depending on need
• Content aligned directly to existing health and safety manuals and policies
• The ability to demonstrate that training and refresher training had been provided, supporting internal health and safety governance
• Learning suitable for ground staff, with a clear, practical focus rather than theory-heavy content
• eLearning that could be delivered via the council’s existing platform, rather than introducing new systems

In short: How do we modernise essential health and safety training in a way that is practical, cost-effective and easy to refresh?

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The Solution

 
Skillshub worked closely with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to design and develop fully bespoke eLearning, tailored specifically to their operational context and safety requirements.

The learning was designed as a modular programme, allowing individual sessions to be completed either as part of a full learning pathway or as standalone refreshers if a specific issue needed reinforcing.

Two bespoke eLearning pathways were created, covering:

• Ride-on and pedestrian mowers
• Handheld horticultural machinery

The programme was structured into six short modules, totalling approximately 60–70 minutes, including:

• A shared introduction providing context, expectations and navigation guidance
• Health and safety legislation, aligned to council manuals and policies
• Equipment-specific modules covering types of machinery and safe use
• Hazards and risks, designed with flexibility to balance budget and learner experience
• Safe methods at work, including PPE and operational best practice
• Knowledge checks and quizzes throughout to assess understanding and reinforce learning

The design approach prioritised:

• Microlearning, enabling quick refreshers without repeating full programmes
• Practical scenarios, focused on real operational risks
• Assessment opportunities, supporting accountability and compliance
• Compatibility with the council’s existing learning platform, ensuring seamless deployment

 
The bespoke solution gave Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council a scalable, flexible alternative to traditional refresher training.

Key outcomes included:

• A cost-effective refresher solution, reducing reliance on repeat face-to-face delivery
• Learning that can be taken as a full pathway or in targeted sections, depending on need
• Clear alignment to existing manuals, policies and safe working practices
• Improved ability to reinforce training following incidents or near misses, without disruption
• Consistent, engaging learning designed specifically for operational ground staff
• Confidence that the council can demonstrate both initial training and refresher provision

The result is a bespoke eLearning programme that supports operational safety, reinforces good practice and delivers long-term value without increasing training overheads.