35 councils participate in collaborative E-Learning project

VineEast is an ambitious project, funded by Improvement East and sponsored by East of England LGA and Essex County Council.

It is based on VineEssex, a project originally devised and managed by VineHR (a company formed by the Heads of HR in Essex).   VineHr are leading the VineEast project.  

The challenge to all authorities is "Why duplicate effort in e-learning and development across the East of England?" The ambitious aims of Vine East are:
 

• To achieve a regional e-Learning platform - "VineEast" -  to drive improvements and efficiencies in e-learning across the East of England
• To promote the sharing and collaboration on e-learning content and provision to eliminate waste and duplication of effort where ever possible

Each authority gets a individually tailored platform with unlimited licences with functionality for e-learning, as well as setting up online communities within their authority.  In addition each authority receives licences for an authoring tool called Composica:  this authoring tool allows design of e-learning of the highest level (this is the first time this high spec product has been used in the public sector).

A central VineEast platform enables people from across the region can upload and share pieces of e-learning to save money and reduce duplication. In addition, on line communities will enable people to work collaboratively sharing resources, learn on line, raise standards together.

Story so far

The VineEast project was launched in August and since that time 35 authorities have joined the project to receive their own E-Learning platform.  E-learning content is being shared across the region on all manner of subjects from induction, Freedom of Information, safeguarding, to Health and Safety amongst others, saving money and time.  

Outcomes

The project has already achieved an impressive 4.5 to 1 return on investment by sharing joint project management, procurement  and the economies of scale. Authorities have also saved large sums of money on training and development because people can learn in their own time and at own pace. 

As a model of collaboration across a region the VineEast project is a beacon of good practice.

More information can be obtained from the Project Manager, Alison Stott Alison.stott@essex.gov.uk or 01245 430 733 / 07585 308122.