The Unlimited Learning platform offers tens of thousands of courses, study programmes and training sessions. The range on offer is one of the many reasons to work at VodafoneZiggo, explains Angela Palermo, Learning & Development Consultant. "Everyone loves it. Since the launch of the platform in 2020, over 65% of all colleagues have attended at least one training course. And some as many as 10."
Employees can choose work-related courses and training sessions, or follow personal interests and do a course related to a favourite hobby or other interest. Employees prefer to learn together, as well as live on-site. “Training courses that you attend together with your team remain popular. Examples of this include training courses on giving and receiving feedback, effective collaboration or storytelling with data. And we prefer to learn in a classroom setting. For many colleagues, that's a nice change from online learning and working."
Find out for yourself
From the start, anyone could enrol in all courses without any restrictions: there were literally no limits. This approach worked like a charm; employees signed up en masse. "Removing barriers and making learning as easy as possible was our goal,” explains Palermo. “’Find out for yourself’ was our motto.” This led to massive participation. "In 2021, there were over 8,500 applications for training courses - a huge number, considering we have about 7,000 employees. Some colleagues were so enthusiastic that they signed up for several training courses at once."
However, after two years of all locks being open, a slight restriction was necessary. "It's great that people are enthusiastic, but the question is how effective it is to take so many courses at once. It is important that you consciously choose what you want to learn and have enough time to apply new skills and knowledge." Therefore, the concept of 'unlimited' has been adjusted slightly. “In-company training courses are still unrestricted. Now, however, you can only choose three courses per year that take place at another location. That’s still a lot, but it forces you to reflect on your learning objectives. Many colleagues appreciate that."
No stress
Archipel, the party with whom VodafoneZiggo set up the platform, provides an up-to-date range of training. The organisation collaborates with several learning providers for this. "The range is always changing based on trends and developments in the market and society. For example, the number of training sessions and courses on artificial intelligence is increasing rapidly. There will also be more variety in forms of learning. More and more learning providers are working with virtual reality, for example."
Such a learning platform with almost infinite choices can also lead to choice overload. "Some employees don't know where to start. Of course, a learning adviser can step in, but we also want the platform to help you get started. For example, we will link skills associated with a job to the range of training on offer. If you visit the platform soon, you will get targeted suggestions based on qualities and skills you need in your work."
More on-site
And there are more changes. For example, more and more training courses are being organised at VodafoneZiggo's own locations. "We see that employees like to attend training courses at their own work location. If we organise this ourselves, we have more control over the content and we can be sure that everyone is working according to the same principles. Another plus: you get to know colleagues from across the organisation. Good for your network and it promotes collaboration."
Moonlighting and self-advancement
“The best thing about this way of learning,” Angela concludes, “is that people can follow their passions, inside and outside their work at VodafoneZiggo. For example, one colleague now works as an interior designer, having taken a course through the platform. And an employee from one of our shops has advanced to an HR position, after attending several HR training courses. It is great to see Unlimited Learning contributing to lifelong learning in this way."