Employee training and associated record keeping across DHHS are becoming centralized for the first time through a new system for training and development via the NC Learning Center, made available department-wide on Nov. 7.

No more trips to a centralized training facility distant from your work station. Training is now available online, from your work station, or from a training room near your work area. The NC Learning Center is a result of a state government-wide project called Learning Management System that has been phased in across state government departments starting last spring. DHHS joined the new system this month.

“We are fortunate to have this excellent tool to leverage,” said DHHS Director of Human Resources Mark Gogal. “With the new system individuals can more efficiently register for needed training, as well as access information about their training history starting in 2014.”

The new system will provide access to records of all individual training set up through the NC Learning Center. Previous training records will remain in their original formats, retrievable via local HR shops.

NC Learning Center replaces the de-centralized process in which each division and state-operated facility had one or more methods for monitoring and reporting training information. The systems in use included DOS, data bases such as Access and Excel, as well as paper files.

“This is a sorely needed integrated learning information system ” Gogal said. “It brings improvements in access, oversight and accountability as well as efficiencies through the sharing of learning throughout DHHS. These all bring value to the department and its employees, as well as the public we all serve.”

The Center is operated by the state Office of Human Resources (formerly OSP). Within DHHS, the new system has going through beta testing at Cherry Hospital, where training for employees there is being added to the system.

The NC Learning Center is accessed through your Beacon logon and NCID. Select the ‘learning’ tab at the top of the screen to be directed to your personal page in the NC Learning Center. Your transcript will contain a tutorial to the system (16min) which demonstrates how to navigate and request training.

In the coming months human resources staff will be loading training courses for divisions and other state operated facilities into the system, with a goal to have it all completed by next summer.