Learning without limits: investing in frontline development

Hamilton Driver, Aniz Muhammid using the Kinetic Learning Hub

As New Zealand's largest bus operator, Kinetic runs services across depots, routes and regions throughout the country. Delivering consistent workforce development across such a geographically dispersed operation is no small task. The Kinetic Learning Hub is our answer: an online learning platform that gives frontline team members flexible access to training that fits around the working day, wherever they are in New Zealand.

Available across all devices (computers, tablets, smartphones), it means a driver in Invercargill has access to the same quality of learning as someone based in Auckland. It also allows them to complete modules when and where it suits them, without needing to be in a classroom or at a desk.

Over the past year, the Learning Hub has become an established part of learning across our urban operations. It's now being rolled out across our regional operations, bringing consistent, accessible training to frontline teams throughout New Zealand. Modules cover everything from mandatory compliance requirements to skills development; all tracked in one central place.

New content is being added continually across a range of topics. One example is a new accessibility module, currently in development, which will use real-world scenarios and perspectives from the disability community to help drivers better understand the experiences of passengers with different needs, connecting learning directly to the communities our people serve every day.

Kinetic New Zealand Organisational Development Manager Damian Andrews says the Learning Hub complements rather than replaces the hands-on training already delivered across the business.

"The Learning Hub isn't a replacement for the hands-on training our people already receive. It’s an extension of it. It gives frontline team members the flexibility to build and reinforce knowledge and skills in a way that fits around their roster, whether that's five minutes between shifts or at home on their phone. It means we can be consistent across the network without asking people to choose between training and their regular duties."

The Learning Hub sits alongside a broader suite of development programmes at Kinetic New Zealand, including Lead the Way for emerging leaders and the Cadetship Programme launched across Australia and New Zealand earlier this year. Together, these programmes create opportunities for people at every stage of their career to build new skills, develop their capability and continue progressing with Kinetic.