New Initiative Into Cloud Based Learning as Industry Reports Businesses' Indifference

LONDON, July 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

There is a gulf between the benefits that virtual learning can provide and UK businesses actually adopting these technologies, claims the blended learning provider, REDTRAY. Having seen the 100% satisfaction levels that its virtual classroom technology, CloudRooms, has received from over 350 users, the organisation wants to find out what the barriers to adoption are.

The company is launching new research examining attitudes towards virtual classroom technology. It will canvas UK businesses to gauge their understanding of how staff can be trained in a virtual environment, their awareness of it as an training option  and why we have been slow to respond it as an opportunity.

'Learning in virtual classrooms is a relatively new concept. It uses cloud technology to bring live instructor-led training directly to people's computers. We all use similar technology for online meetings or conference calls, but organisations have been slow to use the virtual environment for training. We want to know what the problem is', explains Bob Woodland, CEO of REDTRAY.

The results of the study will be shared with companies nationwide in the next month, to help build the business case for revolutionising training and addressing skills shortages in the UK. According to recent CIPD report, 75% of employers are experiencing problems linked directly to skills shortages.

Only 13% of all training delivery in organisations is done virtually, says a recent industry report*, although learning in virtual classroom has a number of advantages that could address the UK skills gap.

'What this technology offers is a way of keeping staff trained without worrying about their location or out of office time. It has no travel time or costs, offers flexibility of access, it has an actual trainer there to answer questions instantly, and people learn by doing practical exercises. These are real benefits to any organisation', says Woodland.

He adds, 'We want to enable UK organisations to embrace the future so we can drive the world-wide economic recovery with highly skilled, high performing staff.'

About REDTRAY

REDTRAY designs, delivers and deploys learning solutions for enterprise organisations. We deliver bespoke training and certification-led courses in the classroom, online or through e-learning to such clients as NHS, Royal Mail Group, ITV and Heathrow Express. Our solutions are managed by ALTO, our LMS, and our managed training services. REDTRAY is the winner of Gold E-Learning and IT Training Awards and has been recognised in the Deloitte Fast 50 and the HR Excellence Awards.

Website: http://www.redtray.co.uk

CloudRoomsspecialises in live online learning. Using the internet, we connect learners with expert instructors via our virtual classroom. By delivering training online, we enable our clients to reduce their training spend by removing the associated travel and accommodation costs. CloudRooms will feature in the keynote address at the forthcoming Microsoft World Partner Conference in Los Angeles on 14 July 2011: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/wpc/

CloudRooms: http://www.redtray.co.uk/cloudrooms/

For a complimentary demonstration or further details, contact marketing@redtray.co.uk or call 0808-178-9246.

Contact

For press enquiries contact Kate Graham on: +44(0)7909-698960 or email kate.graham@redtray.co.uk