In their strategy for a smart, successful Highlands and Islands, Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) recognises that “motivated and appropriately-skilled people are a fundamental component of increased productivity, innovation, growth and [...] success.” What is required, the strategy states, is a culture of lifelong learning.

This is true also for paid staff and volunteers that do such great work in the third sector of the Highlands & Islands. To continue to successfully deliver the service for which the organisation or community group was formed, staff and volunteers need to build on their existing skills and experiences, both within their specific area of expertise as well as the general running of the organisation or group.

Often within the third sector, direct and indirect expenses associated with skills development prevent organisations from giving continuous training the prominence it deserves. This is especially the case for general skills tend to take second place while resources are channelled into supporting the outfacing service. Over time, the result is often decreased performance that can ultimately lead to the organisation’s collapse.

Being diligent about continuously developing the skills of staff and volunteers ensures that a group can maintain its high standards of service. Have a look on the right for some examples of how learning will help you achieving your aims.

When we talk about training, we tend to think of the traditional training course or seminar with a tutor speaking to a classroom of people. Sometimes the course will be a scheduled, public course where participants come from varied organisations and sectors, at other times the course will be tailored to the needs of one organisation’s staff.

In the Highlands & Islands this format poses quite a few problems for third sector groups operating in more remote areas of the region. Relevant courses are not always offered in a place and at a time that are manageable for a group, and costs for bespoke training may be high for a single organisation.

So what are the alternatives?

Video conferencing

Many venues provide the option of linking into an event via video. The technology has much improved over recent years and today the image and sound quality are of a high standard that allows remote audiences to participate fully. The clear advantage is that travel costs are greatly minimised since many Enterprise offices, Learning Centres, Colleges and CVS offer video conferencing facilities locally. Although there might be a cost associated with renting these, the expense will be considerably smaller than costs for extensive travel, accommodation and increased loss of staff time. Some providers, especially those operating out of more urban areas, may not readily think of video conferencing as an option but may consider it if you ask.

e-Learning

Over recent years, online training has become an option in many subject areas. Colleges, local Learning Centres and private training providers offer a variety of e-learning options that range from exclusively online content that you can work through at your own pace, to a combination of tutor-supported online learning and face-to-face sessions. If you are comfortable with computers and have Internet access, online training is a flexible way of learning that incurs little or no travel costs or loss of staff time.

There are a number of different sites that offer excellent e-learning opportunities that are relevant to the voluntary sector here are a selection:
SCVO e-learning
learndirect learning bytes
Scottish Centre for Regeneration

Mentoring and Skills Swaps

Many groups and organisations across the Highlands & Islands have highly skilled staff and volunteers who are quite happy to share their experiences with other local groups. Mentoring can take on many forms from formal shadowing to infrequent contact whenever questions arise. Swapping skills is also an option, where a member of staff or a volunteer from one group might execute a task for another group in exchange for help in an area where their own group lack the necessary skills.

If you are interested in this, just send an e-mail to HICCaP and we will put your request or offer in HICCaP’s Learning Noticeboard.

Learning Partnerships

Although the specific services of the various organisations in the Highlands and Islands can vary greatly, training needs often overlap. Where this is the case, learning partnerships are a great way of sharing the cost for training. Groups may decide to come together to hire a trainer that will instruct them as a joint group. This will make the training viable for the trainer who may have to travel some distance, and it will spread the financial burden of the training.

If you are interested in forming a learning partnership, again just send an e-mail to HICCaP and we will put your request in HICCaP’s Learning Noticeboard.