A NHS Information Authority’s European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) initiative to equip all NHS staff with basic IT skills has been voted ‘Online Learning Solution of the Year’. The accolade for the NHSIA’s ECDL scheme for NHS staff was voted best online learning solution at the recent World of Learning Conference & Exhibition (WOLCE) Awards, receiving high praise from the judges. The judges praised the NHSIA scheme for its ‘significant impact on users’ performance in an organisation’. Since the ECDL service was launched in March 2003 over 40,000 people have registered for IT training. ECDL offers NHS staff training in basic IT skills and an internationally recognised qualification. The NHSIA’s ECDL initiative is provided by a consortium led by Spring IT Training who deliver a national tracking and monitoring service for ECDL registrations and access to the learning and testing materials. Dr Gwyn Thomas, the NHSIA’s chief executive, commented: “This award is a tribute not only to the quality of learning material available to NHS staff, but also to the Information Authority team and our training partners, who have worked hard to make the ECDL service so successful. “Basic training in IT is essential as it equips NHS staff with the skills needed for the effective electronic sharing of health information and makes it easier for them to access digital knowledge information services, which are playing an increasing role in decision making.” ECDL service manager, Carol Hulm said: “The Information Authority has worked hard to provide a flexible training solution that is able to be used by trainers and individuals and that takes into account different learning styles. The Information Authority’s ECDL scheme has also been nominated for a further two awards by the Institute of IT Training: the e-Learning Project of the Year and Internal Project of the Year.
