The SBS Academy consists of multiple training modules focusing on all areas of the business including sales, stock management, product awareness, transport, health and safety, and many more.

Each training module consists of varied content such as demonstration videos, PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, and instructor led training; all to suit the individual learning preferences of each user, ensuring all staff members can take full advantage of the training on offer.

The company said staff play a pivotal role in Smith Brothers’ continued success 'which is why we are making learning material more accessible to assist with their career development and ultimately help them to reach their full potential'.

Since joining Smith Brothers in September 2020, business process manager Alan Mercel has worked closely with staff members across all departments to analyse existing systems and processes to implement new methods to improve ability and efficiency across the business.

Alan said: “When I joined the business the idea of a learning system had been on the businesses radar for some time. As I had first-hand experience in this type of development in the past, I was asked to investigate for a solution. First, I looked at the marketplace and adopted the programme we now use for the SBS Academy. Then it was a case of setting up the foundations upon which all learning courses/materials would be built upon. So, I teamed up with experts of the key subjects within the business to decide which job roles I needed to develop materials for first. Once I picked the relevant categories, I reviewed whatever materials had existed in the past and away I went to create courses.” 

The system will also help the business to monitor and manage the administration, documentation, reporting, automation and delivery of these modules. This means that the business will be able to track the learning progress of each member of staff and adapt the LMS accordingly.