Collaboration between libraries and SkillsTown great success

Since July this year, Dutch online training provider SkillsTown and several libraries in Flanders and Brussels have been working together to offer online training to library customers. Due to the unexpected success, after only a month and a half it was decided to double the maximum number of students allowed.There are now 2,000 library customers who can use SkillsTown's online training courses and this is expected to continue to grow.

Working on personal skills

Using the online courses, library customers can improve their personal skills in an approachable way. In the online learning environment, they can choose from 30 online courses in areas such as desk science, digital safety, foreign languages, time management and health. In addition to the 30 titles that are periodically renewed, an additional learning module is made available each month. It is important for libraries to invest in their members in this way. "Online learning can revolutionize how libraries remove barriers to lifelong learning," said Hendrik Verroken, coordinator of the project.

The success of online courses

After launching the online courses for library members, within a month some 800 more applications had been received than initially calculated. Because of this great success, SkillsTown and the libraries immediately expanded their partnership. "We do this kind of partnership more often, making online training available to a large audience. Because it is such an accessible and fun way to improve your personal skills, we notice that users are immediately enthusiastic," said Hans Schuurmans, CEO SkillsTown.

About SkillsTown

SkillsTown is the market leader in online courses in the Netherlands. Their online learning environment includes more than 1,000 online courses where students can learn in their own way. These include courses on language, communication, collaboration, presentation, time management and industry-specific knowledge. Thanks to the personalized look and feel, every organization can create its own professional academy.

About the participating libraries

The project is promoted by 9 institutions and authorities from Flanders and Brussels representing 27 libraries with 165,000 active members. These are the City of Antwerp, Hasselt-Limburg Library, Kortrijk, Dendermonde, Dilbeek, Halle, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, IVEBICA (Hemiksem-Schelle-Niel) and coordinated by Muntpunt.

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