Excellence in Business Training Award for Sponge

The Plymouth-based provider of custom-made elearning came top in the category of Outstanding Commitment to Training for a medium-size business at the Excellence in Business Training Awards 2016, hosted by Cornwall College Business.

The award judges were impressed by the company’s creative approach to staff training which includes the creation of an internal ‘Sponge University’ to help employees develop key skills and achieve their potential.

Louise Pasterfield, Managing Director, Sponge, said:

“As a company in the learning business it means a great deal to be recognised for the training we offer our own team. We’re committed to building an organisation where people can thrive and where everyone is constantly learning and developing their skills. As our teams continue to grow and push the limit of what is possible, we are able to offer our clients new and innovative solutions that are at the forefront of elearning.”

Sponge has grown rapidly in the past four years and provides internal and external training for its 60-strong workforce to help them develop as the company continues to expand.

The informal and formal learning opportunities include business mentoring, leadership training, graduate development and social learning.

As part of ‘Sponge University’ each department in the business has created a learning pathway made up of different sessions covering key aspects of the elearning industry.

Sponge was able to demonstrate the positive impact training is having on the organisation including supporting business expansion, boosting innovation, maintaining the highest standards of customer service and helping to attract and retain talent.

The Excellence in Business Training Awards is the South West of England’s premier award scheme for celebrating success in the training provided by the region’s businesses.

The awards were presented at a gala ceremony at The Atlantic Hotel, Newquay on Friday, January 29, 2016.

Sponge was recently named one of England’s 50 most creative companies and is on the Sunday Times list of the 100 best small companies to work for.