The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) today launched an E-Learning System that is aimed at improving competences and skills among its staff countrywide, thereby reducing its staff development budget by 36%.
While addressing staff at the launch at Workers House, NSSF Managing Director, Richard Byarugaba said that the E-learning system will offer NSSF employees with relevant and cost effective programmes, improve performance culture, and enable the Fund create more value for its members.
“This system delivers instant learning, enabling us achieve round the clock staff development that is self-led. It will improve personal development through applying focused and relevant learning to our all our employees,” he said.
“This innovative approach to learning and training ensures that we develop staff – our most valuable resource, at the same time saving money. This kind of cost management enable us create value for our members, while improving service delivery,” he added.
The Fund is among the first institutions in Uganda to implement e-learning. The system will enable staff access world class training, including some prestigious Harvard managerial courses. It will also enable the Fund address training and learning needs of all the staff at the same time.
The Fund operates a blended approach – use of instructor led training, coaching, on the job training. E-learning is the last component of this approach.
“Staff development is a continuous process. The retirement benefits sector is changing, technology is improving, and the needs of the business keep changing. In order to meet the demands of the business and our members’ expectations, it is important that we invest more in the development of our internal competencies,” Byarugaba said.
Mr. Elly Karuhanga, a prominent lawyer and former NSSF Board Chairman applauded NSSF for the innovation, and encouraged the Fund to continue automating its systems to cut down on the cost of doing business.
“Gone are the days when one had to face a trainer in a room or do an exam to get certified. Technology has made life easier. The global trend is now self-led, e-learning. To see the Fund embracing e-learning is gratifying,” Karuhanga said.
“Some studies show that a company can cut training costs by up to 35%, and condense about 2,900 hours of classroom training into 700 hours of e-learning. E-learning should therefore help the Fund reduce costs. I am not surprised that this was one of the primary motivators for the Fund to start e-learning,” he noted.