Learning Light welcomes Yorkshire’s emergence as one of the UK’s leading e-learning development area

Yorkshire-based organisations appear to be beginning to lead the way in the UK’s e-learning world – more than rivalling e-learning’s ‘traditional’ base on the Sussex coast.

The recent e-Learning Awards (presented in London in November) saw Yorkshire organisations named as award winners in:
• The Best Example of Supporting Learners Online: The South Yorkshire e-Learning programme (SyeLP) with Sheffield College.

This e-learning programme provides people with an accessible method of education that helps them to gain GCSEs. Intended for students who are disadvantaged in some way, the programme is designed to appeal to a wide audience.

According to the Awards’ judges: ‘Coupling the project with support to students was a winning combination for many who took the course.’

• The Industry Award for Outstanding Achievement: LINE Communications.

The judges’ verdict was: ‘LINE Communications has repeatedly delivered high quality, creative and effective learng solutions to a growing range of clients across a number of sectors. LINE, which has trebled its turnover, grown its workforce by 75 per cent, delivered impressive profits – and received a succession of awards – has emerged as an e-learning industry leader with a world class client list.’
• Excellence in the Production of Learning Content: special mention to LINE Communications.

The BBC adopted LINE’s training course, which was designed to raise the profile of the BBC’s editorial policy. A key challenge was to ensure that the course was suitable for TV, radio and online training, and that it fitted with the BBC’s culture.

The judges pronounced themeslves ‘impressed by its aesthetic qualities and flexibility’.

According to Steve Ash, LINE's sales and marketing director: "LINE has a supremely talented team with a wealth of experience allowing us to operate effectively at all levels in client organisations. From strategic consultancy to international conversion projects, the LINE team has repeatedly proved that we are at the top of our game."

In addition, Rob Arntsen, managing director of the York-based, web-based knowledge systems provider, MyKnowledgeMap (MKM), is accepted as among the most knowledgeable practitioners in corporate learning in Europe. Arntsen commented: "With our pioneering e-Academy designs and state-of-the-art e-learning delivery systems and content, MKM is working with clients including Lloyds TSB, the RSPB, police and local authorities, the University of York and colleges in Delhi, Bahrain and Nairobi."

Mark Pittaway, CEO of LL, the non-profit centre of excellence which highlights and promotes best practice in the use of learning technologies in the workplace, commented: "We’re delighted that – via these various accolades – Yorkshire is now recognised as one of the key areas in the UK for e-learning development.

"Through its many services, notably through research, organising conferences and seminars and supplying professional services to both buyers and sellers of e-learning, LL is playing its part to assist Yorkshire-based learning technology businesses to achieve these impressive achievements."
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Notes for Editors
About Learning Light Ltd
Learning Light is a non-profit organisation that highlights and promotes best practice in the use of learning technologies. It also builds relationships between learning technology researchers,
suppliers, buyers and learners providing learner-centric information to encourage the growth of learning technologies. By sharing comprehensive research, highlighting successes and failures, Learning Light helps to promote the learning technologies community.

Learning Light provides bespoke and individual services to help both buyers and suppliers of learning technologies (e-Learning). Its current services include:

Research Services
Providing access to expert insights, advice and guidance built on indepth research. Helping
organisations to effectively implement learning technologies (e-Learning) and integrate them within their workflow processes.

Membership Services
Partnering with leading thinkers in the industry and providing a network for all interested in the field to share information, knowledge, insight, experience and expertise, through utilising online community tools, networking events, conferences and guru seminars.

Professional Services
Our highly experienced team offers organisations access to range of competitively priced consultancy services supporting buyers with the effective implementation of their learning technology (e-Learning) requirements. And, for suppliers, helping to provide a range of services to assist market awareness and generate growth.

In addition, Learning Light provides a comprehensive Professional Development programme to help Learning & Development professionals understand the significance of learning technologies in the workplace today and how to effectively implement them within the workflow processes of their organisation.


Sheffield-based Learning Light is supported by Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency for Yorkshire, and the Humber and Objective 1 South Yorkshire.


Further information from:
Mark Pittaway/ Jenny Pang /Kay Simpson, Learning Light, 0044 (0) 114 201 5703
Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, 00 44 (0) 1727 860405