Customer Spotlight: Willows Health’s Training Initiative to Boost Training Engagement and Compliance

At Blue Stream Academy, we’re always inspired by how our health and social care partners drive training engagement to support employee development and enhance organisational compliance.

In October, we had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle Phillips, Head of Quality and Governance at Willows Health. She shared how she increased eLearning participation through a creative series of monthly, themed training rollout emails designed to motivate and engage her team.

Welcome, Michelle! How did this exciting initiative come about?

“As Head of Quality and Governance I knew that keeping up with mandatory training was essential not only for regulatory compliance but also for ensuring the highest standards of care. However, before launching the Blue Stream Academy training initiative, we faced several challenges that made it difficult to stay on track.”

What challenges were you facing prior to the initiative?

“Before introducing Blue Stream Academy’s training platform, our biggest challenge was ensuring consistent and timely training completion across all staff members. With diverse roles and varying schedules, it was challenging to align everyone to the same training timeline. We needed a way to make training manageable and engaging, helping our staff understand the importance of their learning journey.

Our primary goal was to improve compliance and make training accessible and efficient. We aimed to foster a culture of continuous learning, where training wasn’t seen as a checkbox task but an opportunity for professional growth. We also hoped to break down the training requirements into manageable chunks, aligning with regulatory standards without overwhelming our team.”

Can you tell us more about your training initiative?

“The training initiative was launched with an introductory email outlining the objectives and the month-by-month journey ahead. We communicated through a mix of emails, staff meetings, and photographs to reach every team member effectively. To keep the team engaged, I used visual themes, quips, and references to iconic trains like the Flying Scotsman and the Shinkansen, each representing a different aspect of our training objectives.”

How did you come up with the idea behind the initiative?

“I developed the training initiative based on the need to address these challenges head-on. I envisioned a structured, monthly training plan that felt more like an ongoing journey than a set of isolated modules. By theming each month around a different iconic train, I aimed to add an element of engagement and make the process more memorable and enjoyable.”

How did you find inspiration for the themes?

“I found inspiration for the monthly themes by thinking about the attributes we wanted to highlight—such as reliability, speed, or resilience. Iconic trains from around the world provided the perfect symbols for these qualities, and the idea of traveling together toward a common destination resonated with our team.”

How did you plan and roll-out the initiative?

“The initial rollout involved close collaboration with our leadership team, HR, and Blue Stream Academy. We mapped out the entire year, aligning training topics with regulatory requirements and organisation-specific needs. This collaborative approach ensured that the initiative was well-rounded and tailored to our unique environment.”

Did you face any challenges during the implementation?

“One of the challenges was adjusting to a new routine and ensuring that everyone completed their assigned modules within the timeframe. To address this, I sent out reminders and provided additional resources for those who needed them. For those who struggled to find time, we encouraged the use of Protected Learning Time to ensure training was prioritised.”

Did you have to adapt the training initiative following the initial launch?

“Since the launch, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Many staff members have expressed that the themed approach makes training more engaging, and they appreciate breaking the training down into monthly goals. Based on user feedback, I’ve made minor adjustments to pacing and delivery, making sure that we’re responsive to their needs and maintaining flexibility.”

What impact did the initiative have on training performance and culture?

“The training initiative has significantly improved our completion rates and compliance with regulatory standards. The structured approach has instilled a sense of responsibility and accomplishment among team members, contributing to a stronger culture of learning. Staff are now more proactive about training, and they see it as an integral part of their professional development rather than just a requirement.”

Do you have any advice to share with anyone looking to launch a similar initiative?

“For anyone looking to implement a similar training initiative, I would advise involving all stakeholders early on and creating a theme that aligns with your organisation’s values and goals. A themed approach can make training feel like a shared journey and create a sense of camaraderie.”

What would you do differently if you launched the initiative from scratch?

“If I were to start this initiative again, I would incorporate more interactive elements from the beginning, such as quizzes or team challenges, to further enhance engagement. It’s essential to keep training dynamic and responsive to the team’s feedback, which has been invaluable in shaping our journey so far.”

How would you summarise the initiative?

“In conclusion, the Blue Stream Academy training initiative has transformed how we approach training, making it more manageable, engaging, and effective. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and look forward to continuing this journey with our fantastic team.”

Thank you for sharing your initiative with us Michelle – we love the idea and hope this can inspire other health and social care providers!