When Port Macquarie Hastings Council set out to modernise its operations and strengthen workplace safety, it turned to B Online Learning to create a tailored eLearning solution to engage its diverse workforce and promote a safety culture. Here’s a snapshot of the project.
What was the project?
Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) wanted to modernise its operations to better serve the region’s growing population, with a key focus on improving its People, Safety & Performance (PSP) functions. To do this, PMHC needed a Work Health and Safety (WHS) eLearning module to ensure its diverse workforce could access the training they need.
The module was designed to meet the varied needs of employees across services like town planning, waste management, utilities, transport, and recreation. By using accessible, on-demand training, the eLearning module supports continuous learning, streamlines safety processes, and enhances service delivery. It also allows employees to learn and teach through channels best suited to their needs.
How did B Online Learning help solve the challenges?
B Online Learning developed a highly interactive eLearning module incorporating custom animations, quizzes, and audio narration. The animations, created using Adobe Creative Suite (Animate, Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects), were specifically tailored to reflect PMHC’s branding, work environments, and employee roles, ensuring relevance and connection to real-world scenarios.
We specifically chose animation for its interactivity and impact and its ability to simplify difficult topics, which in this case included, well-being, manual handling, and first aid. Animations also allow for more control over the pacing, tone, and style of the video, making it easier for learners to engage with and retain information.
One of the key challenges was that the module needed to be tailored to the needs of three different employee groups, so we needed to ensure that the visual elements would cater to a diverse audience. To do this, we used line art illustration as its minimalist style transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, making content universally understandable and engaging. By focusing on clear, and essential elements, line art avoids the complexities and potential biases of more detailed illustrations. Additionally, line art can be easily adapted to represent diverse characters and scenarios, reflecting a range of ethnicities, genders, and abilities. This adaptability helps create an inclusive learning environment where all learners feel represented and valued.
The design also had to accommodate a variety of learning styles. Animation is perfect in these contexts as it combines visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements into a cohesive and engaging format. Visual learners benefit from dynamic graphics, auditory learners from synchronised narration, and kinesthetic learners engage with interactive simulations.
What were the results?
The eLearning module has delivered benefits for all employees including improving compliance and enhancing their understanding of WHS responsibilities. “The module is tailored to the diverse workforce, ensuring the content is specific to the workplace and resonates with each of them. This customised approach has led to a deeper connection with the material, making it more relevant and impactful in promoting a culture of safety across the organisation.
“The module not only caters to various learning styles but also deeply resonates with individuals at every level of our organisation. It goes beyond a simple training tool; it’s a thoughtfully crafted, sustainable resource that has become an integral part of our onboarding process and a valuable refresher for our entire staff.”
Tracy Addison, Change Management Lead – Transformation
