The LGPS Online Learning Academy (LOLA) launched in June of this year, and we're delighted to say that it has been a big hit!

What have we learned in the last three months?

Firstly – online, module-based learning has been what you have been looking for!

With 20+ LGPS funds and hundreds of participants already signed up to LOLA across Committees, Boards and Officers, and with more joining soon, any worries that the LGPS wouldn’t be receptive to this type of training has been washed away. Certainly, a phew for me if no-one else……

Unique insights

It has also given us some unique LGPS knowledge insights. In a practical sense, the last three months have deepened our understanding of the challenges fund officers face with Committee, Board and Officer training. The challenge isn’t just the completion of training support, but also tracking how training plans are progressing and recording all this activity. These conversations have underlined that it’s just as important to evidence the pension training the Fund has been doing as it is completing it! Some other key outcomes have been:

1. User experience has been positive – bitesize, module-based training works
2. Funds are gaining easier and quicker training analytics than ever before
3. Recording of all pension training (internal/external) can be updated on each individual member's LOLA record
4. LOLA has been a cost-effective platform for funds to supplement core LGPS training
5. Funds have been encouraging their Committee and Board members to view certain clips ahead of dedicated training events. This has helped to focus on training and knowledge improvement.
6. People have been enjoying seeing Steven Law’s hair growth throughout the training videos. This will be a lasting reminder of lockdown time (for those that don’t know Steven, he is the person beside Catherine in the below image taken from the first training video)

Monitor and track your training progress

What we have looked to deliver for funds is a training system that is engaging to use but also provides clear analysis and detailed reports. Below is an example of the analysis at a Fund level for Module 2:

Individual module analysis (also available in an individual member basis)

This graphic demonstrates the power of the analytics within the LOLA system. For the first time, LGPS funds can, with the touch of a button, track, monitor and analyse their training plan progress. An important ‘win’ for fund officers when the Regulator could contact you asking for all this information quickly!

…and we’re not finished yet

As well as keeping the LOLA material fresh and current, we are always looking for ways to enhance your learning experience and add value to your training plans.

Look out for:

• (Extra functionality) The ability to add and record learning that is external to LOLA by fund officers across all their LOLA users.
• Training videos on Cyber Security, TCFD and Good Governance
• Updated assessment questions
• Enhanced Fund monthly reports – take analysis straight off the page and into your Committee/Board paper

So, the last 3 months have been an exciting time of ‘onboarding’ users to the platform, seeing how different funds have used the platform to supplement their training plans and listening to fund officer feedback on what they would like to see developed on the platform. Exciting times for LGPS training!

If you would like a demonstration or further information on LOLA, please get in touch or contact your usual Hymans consultant.

LGPS Knowledge Progress Assessment

Following the success of the first ever LGPS National Knowledge Assessment in 2020, we’re excited to launch our 2021 LGPS Knowledge Progress Assessment for LGPS Committee and Board members.

The online assessment is available now and covers the 8 topics of the CIPFA Knowledge and skills framework. Click here to find out more.