Why Managed Learning Services Are Handy For Businesses
Keeping staff skilled and compliant is essential for any business, but managing training in-house can be time-consuming and expensive. Managed Learning Services (MLS) provide a practical solution.
An MLS provider works as an extension of your HR or L&D team, sourcing and booking courses, managing budgets, tracking compliance and reporting on outcomes. This allows your business to save time, reduce costs and access specialist expertise without increasing headcount.
Cost efficiency is a key advantage. By consolidating training spend, MLS providers can secure better rates from suppliers and remove duplication, while ensuring learning supports business objectives rather than simply meeting minimum requirements.
Compliance is also improved. In regulated sectors, missed renewals or poor record-keeping can lead to penalties. MLS providers monitor certifications and maintain accurate records, helping to reduce risk.
Many providers also offer learning technology with real-time data and reporting. This helps identify skills gaps, measure return on investment and demonstrate value across the organisation.
How to Choose the Right Managed Learning Services Supplier
Choose a provider with proven experience in your sector and a clear understanding of your compliance and training requirements. They should offer a comprehensive service, covering everything from course sourcing and scheduling to reporting and learning analytics, so you can rely on a single training partner.
Assess their technology capabilities carefully. A strong learning management system should provide real-time reporting, compliance tracking and integration with your HR systems, giving full visibility of training activity and outcomes.
A well-established network of accredited training providers is also important. Access to reputable suppliers helps ensure consistent quality and competitive pricing across all courses.
Flexibility matters, as training needs change over time. Your provider should be able to scale services up or down and adapt to new requirements as your business evolves. Reliable customer support is equally essential, ensuring issues are resolved quickly and training programmes remain on track.
Finally, look for transparency. Clear pricing and detailed reporting allow you to manage budgets effectively and understand exactly how your training investment is being used.
Here’s one we recommend
We’re happy to recommend an MLS supplier who meets all those criteria: Optimus Learning Services. With them, you can expect cost savings from 10% to 25%, better quality training, better feedback on the progress made, and more efficient training administration. Their clients include:
- Maersk, the global logistics company
- Vocalink, whose technology enables payment technology and ATMs through the UK
- Arthur J Gallagher, a global insurance and risk management company with 52,00 staff worldwide
- Amazon, the dominant online marketplace
- Hitachi, the Japanese technology company
They are a successful young company. Since they were founded in 2009 they have grown large enough to be able to work with major companies, as listed above. Blake Henegan founded the company, and is still it’s CEO. The company reflects his passion for learning and development.
Managed Learning Services or Managed Training Services?
Some people use the terms interchangeably, but there are significant differences. Managed Training Services focus on outsourcing the operational delivery of training (courses, administration, vendor management), whereas Managed Learning Services covers a broader range, including the outsourcing of the entire learning and development function, including strategy and analytics. Optimus can, of course, deliver both of these,