CAREERS IN INDUSTRY: WOLCE tackles tricky issues.

M2 PRESSWIRE-22 February 1999-CAREERS IN INDUSTRY: WOLCE tackles tricky issues (C)1994-99 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:190299

The continuing rapid advancement of technology is bringing more opportunities than ever before to use open learning techniques to achieve corporate and individual training objectives. Consequently, more organisations are supporting open learning in one form or another and more people are using open learning materials as part of their self-development process.

This growth in interest in all things 'open learning' was illustrated last September in the number of visitors to the World Open Learning for Business Conference and Exhibition (WOLCE '98). This year's event - being held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, on October 6th and 7th - promises to be an even larger affair still. Its organisers, Careers in Industry, hope to attract even more than the 3,000 or so visitors who turned up last year.

"We aim to tackle a number of the 'hot topics' in open learning at this year's conference," said event organiser Richard Lewis. "And, as ever, we expect there to be record number of organisations represented at the accompanying exhibition." Among this year's 'hot topics' in open learning are issues such as 'bandwidth', the design of technology based open learning and computer managed instruction (CMI) systems. On the 'soft skills' side, there is the issue of training trainers to cope with their changing role, brought about by the growing use of open learning. According to Mike Duckett, of Coaching for Success and an associate of open learning specialists Optimum Learning: 'The growth in the popularity and use of open learning has prompted trainers to move from being instructors, primarily based in a classroom, to being facilitators, coaches and mentors. "Obviously, embracing this changing role involves the trainers in learning new skills and techniques, as well as adopting a new mind set. Achieving this painlessly can pose a few challenges for any organisation," he added.

This year, the fourth annual WOLCE conference will not only discuss technology based open learning but will, itself, use some of the techniques which makes open learning an effective medium for imparting and discovering knowledge. Delegates will be able to take part in live satellite link-ups with major figures in open learning across the world. There will also be a number of internationally known speakers present in Birmingham to give a series of keynote addresses touching on the contemporary issues of the industry. Once again, the conference will be 'streamed' to cater for all levels of experience, covering beginners' guides to technology; the strategic issues of open learning, and advanced sessions on digital technology. Each of the streams will feature relevant issues and case studies from a number of different industries.

Topics for the conference are expected to include integration and finding the right product mix; discussing the most appropriate use for desktop learning, including the wider intranet and Internet issues; discovering how to support the workforce and trainer within an open learning environment, and looking at CMI systems and digital technology. Already, over 50 organisations have signed up to exhibit their products and services at WOLCE'99.

These include multimedia developers ranging from AdVal to Xebec McGraw-Hill and, among others, also include authoring toot producers Asymetrix and Macromedia, the Institute of Management, BBC for BUSINESS, Maxim Training Systems, Intellexis International, Sybase Education Services and British Association for Open Learning (BAOL) member Blackbrook House. Blackbrook House, in Derbyshire, offers a venue for training and conferences and is an appointed Technologies for Training (TfT) training information point, offering help to organisations wanting to establish their own in-house learning facilities. According to Alistair Morrison, managing director of CBT developers, BAOL members and WOLCE '99 exhibitors, Skillchange Systems: "As long as learning allows people to move from a position of little or no knowledge/skill to one where they posses a basic level of competence, the format of that learning is immaterial.

"An important point to note, though, is that people learn at different speeds. So a learning mechanism that offers learners an ability to study at the pace best suited to their needs may well deliver a more satisfactory outcome than classroom-based training. "in this context, an open teaming approach is proving to be both efficient and cost-effective as our clients, including Mobil Oil, BP and Jarvis Hotels have found." Those wishing to contribute ideas or case studies for the conference programme should contact Emily Brown on 01 81 785 2288 or email emily.brown@cii-ent.com. For more information about WOLCE '99, contact Olivia Loxham on 0181 785 2288 or visit WOLCE's website at www.distancelearning.co.uk

Notes for Editors

WOLCE is now its sixth year (the conference is in its fourth year) and has firmly established itself as the leading forum for providers of open learning products and services. Combined with a comprehensive seminar programme, the event informs, educates and keeps training decision makers up-to-date with the latest developments in open learning.

WOLCE '98 was held on the 29th & 30th September at the NEC, Birmingham, and attracted over 3,000 visitors and delegates - an increase on the previous year. Visitors were of exceptional quality: 25% were directors or senior managers, 21 % had training budgets of between GBP 50,000 and GBP 250,000 and 22% were responsible for training budgets of over GBP 500,000.

WOLCE '99 will be held on 6th & 7th October 1998 at the NEC. WOLCE'99 has already exceeded last year's number of exhibitors.

CONTACT: Duncan Berry Tel: +44 (0)181 785 2288 Corinne Furlonger, CII Tel: +44 (0)181 785 2288 Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR Tel: +44 (0)1727 860405

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