The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has launched Building Blocks, a new online training programme designed to introduce apprentices and other new starters to the intricacies of life in a builders’ merchant.
The first two Building Blocks in the series – Timber as a Building Material and Heating and Hot Water Comfort – are now live on the BMF Campus website and can also be delivered via merchants’ own Learning Management Systems.
Key product groups will be covered in further blocks and the programme ultimately builds into a comprehensive guide to the industry and products sold by every type of merchant.
Each multi-media training block combines a range of video, animations and interactive content to bring the subjects to life. The content is further reinforced with programmed learning in the form of downloadable reading/reference material and weblinks.
The Building Blocks programme is being developed in conjunction with the BMF’s e-learning partner, Cortexa, an approved centre for Occupational Awards. Successful completion of each block will earn credits for the learner towards an online Merchant Award. This award, which is planned for publication later in the year, will require the learner to complete at least four blocks and pass a final exam.
With fifteen e-learning blocks planned for introduction over the next two years, BMF Building Blocks is set to be a fully accredited online programme that will define the standard of product training in the merchant industry.
BMF Membership services director, Richard Ellithorne, said: “Online learning is a powerful and cost-effective way to deliver product and technical training. The BMF Building Blocks programme is a 21st Century replacement for the old MOL distance learning workbook series, which had become dated both in terms of content and mode of delivery. We are working closely with Cortexa to create new rich media content and with our supplier members to ensure that the latest technologies and techniques are included in the programme.”
