Our innovative online staff training could be set to remain in place well beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.

All face to face training was halted on March 13 due to the lockdown, but within days our training team reinvented its approach. The team redesigned its course content and developed a full catalogue of engaging online training courses, delivered via Zoom and targeted at every employee and department within the company. The new approach received hugely positive feedback while also helping to increase staff morale and engagement during a difficult time.

Richard Latham, Group HR Directors, said: “Since the end of March the team has delivered more than 250,000 minutes of training, 1-2-1 coaching and supported meetings spanning over 750 sessions. The courses are fully interactive and have been positively received, providing attendees the opportunity to continue their development while engaging with colleagues and sharing good practice. The whole of the training team must take immense credit for the rapid development of a professional on-line programme that has helped our employees through a very challenging time. They have revolutionised the way in which we deliver learning that will last well beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.”

An online brochure listing more than 40 courses that can be booked with a few clicks of a button was released by the training team. These included courses ranging from soft skills through to technical modules to support site manager development programmes.

A new online evaluation system ensured the team could immediately see the positive feedback their courses were receiving. This has included the following comments: ‘I think Zoom training is a good way to engage especially when we are working alone’, ‘Excellent Service Delivery. Really enjoyed this course. Can’t wait to enrol on more courses’, ‘Another really excellent short training course where lots of information was given in interactive and animated style - making the content more memorable. Thank you’.

Moving forwards, the training team is set to continue to develop this blended approach, making use of both face-to-face and digital training while ensuring that all Persimmon delegates receive the maximum development opportunities.

Our developments across the UK have now reopened to house hunters, with strict social distancing and health and safety measures in place.