Laing O’Rourke launches new learning platform for staff in AUS

Laing O'Rourke Australia has overhauled its learning and development strategy for 2,500 employees in collaboration with SAP, utilising the new platform LOR Learn.

The platform, supported by SAP Build Work Zone technology, offers personalised, role-specific learning modules aimed at enhancing career growth within the construction and engineering company.

Before the implementation of LOR Learn, the company's training budget primarily benefited a limited number of employees. Approximately 50% of the budget was directed towards training just 80 staff members. According to the company, the new platform now uses 10% of the budget to reach around 700 employees each month, demonstrating a more equitable distribution of learning resources.

Helen Fraser, Director of People at Laing O'Rourke Australia, expressed the company's commitment to fostering a self-directed learning culture. Speaking at the SAP SuccessFactors HR CONNECT 2024 event in Sydney, Fraser said, "We are dedicated to fostering a self-directed learning culture, underpinned by scalable, cost-effective, and high-quality learning interventions enabled through SAP SuccessFactors. Our new solution revolutionalised our approach to learning in a comprehensive and easy to navigate program. SAP SuccessFactors is critical to our commitment to providing a culture designed to empower our employees to embrace learning, because we know employees in an environment which encourages their career growth are much more likely to stay."

LOR Learn hosts 155 bespoke learning pathways and 350 custom learning assets, offering a variety of formats that cater to different learning preferences. The resources range from short, bite-sized content similar to that found on social media platforms, to peer coaching and social learning networks.

"Our employee engagement surveys told us people want control over their learning. They want opportunities for blended learning, which means classroom-based interactions supported by online learning materials, peer coaching, and social learning networks. Our new SAP Build WorkZone platform helps us deliver that to our people," Fraser added.

The platform, which has seen strong uptake, has already led to an increase in usage of LinkedIn Learning from 35% to 95%.

"We have seen excellent employee uptake of the platform, with solid average usage per month. We have already seen LinkedIn Learning activated seats increasing from 35% to 95%, and we hope it drives further staff engagement and retention, as well as helping to grow our internal promotion rates."

In Australia, the platform's resources span a wide array of topics including Engineered Safety, AI, Indigenous Affairs, Team Management, and Commercial Services.

Laing O'Rourke has collaborated with subject matter experts to create 350 custom learning assets and 17 learning spaces. Additional learning spaces are in various stages of development, including a recently launched Low Carbon Materials Learning Space. Over 50 learning ambassadors are currently utilising AI content tools to generate new learning content across the country.

Over the next year, Laing O'Rourke plans to further digitise its Career Toolkits, integrating WorkZone and the talent intelligence hub with LOR Learn to create a cohesive and easy-to-navigate learning experience. The company is also planning to host a National 'Drive your Development' Learning Day to showcase the diverse learning opportunities available to employees.

Angela Colantuono, President and Managing Director of SAP Australia, commented on the collaboration, stating, "We are thrilled to build on our long-term partnership with Laing O'Rourke in Australia to power its new employee learning hub. In an age of high attrition rates, it's vital for businesses to keep employees motivated through engaging personal development resources that ultimately bring out their best."

"Our SAP Build WorkZone technology allows Laing O'Rourke staff to access all of their learning materials in one place – the ease and speed of the user experience has driven exceptional staff uptake and engagement."

Laing O'Rourke has been utilising SAP's technologies since 2016, including SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central to manage its workforce. The LOR Learn platform was rolled out in Australia earlier this year.