Blaenavon-based training and business consultancy RWA says 2017 is set to be another strong year as it continues to rollout its award-winning innovative online learning platform, My Development Zone.

RWA has been creating engaging online courses for learners for more than ten years.

The team at RWA identified a problem with workplace skills development three years ago. The firm used this time to design and build a new platform and learning model in order to widen their e-learning offering to individuals, businesses, and the public sector throughout the UK, with the launch of MyDevelopmentZone.com.

RWA CEO Tom Wood said: “We’ve been working with Aviva for the last five years to build something game changing in the insurance broker learning market.

"We launched this in 2015 and it has grown at a staggering rate, as employers and individuals recognised the benefits of bite size online learning, which focused on professional skills and bridging skills gaps.

“The idea of building a broader business specific e-learning solution on the foundations of our proven platform seemed obvious. The key challenge, which we had to overcome, was to develop a low-cost online solution that any individual or business could log into without the need for large scale system builds and customisation plans. What we have built provides the functionality of enterprise systems to those who, in the past, would have found those systems out of reach.

“RWA has built a team of professionals, which is tasked with continually developing new course content, to add to our library of hundreds of courses, all designed to help individuals and businesses meet their full potential. As the platform also allows the development of bespoke course content and learning programmes, employers can be confident that My Development Zone will meet their e-learning needs.

“The result is a flexible and scalable online learning solution offering bite size courses ranging from customer service to marketing and leadership, which is applicable to any business in Wales, the UK, or indeed, overseas, as we are now starting to showcase the system on an international level.”

In 2016, learners answered more than 3.5 million questions via the My Development Zone platform.

Usage of it grew by 489 per cent in the first 12 months, as learners were repeatedly drawn to progressive and purposeful online courses, as part of their personal development.

Tom Wood said: “It has always been an integral part of our work that wherever we can, we will facilitate low cost and positive development experiences for the benefit of our learners and the organisations they work for. With that in mind, we have built a highly effective route to skills training that is seen more and more as a vital ingredient for success, which complements academic studies and professional qualifications.

“Workplace learning should be accessible to a wider market. My Development Zone can contribute to developing our businesses, our communities, and help bridge the gap between school education and the world of work.

“RWA’s ongoing growth is a Welsh made success story of which we are very proud.”