BESA

How BESA transformed its training delivery with a scalable LMS to expand access, improve compliance and boost engagement with professional development.

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) supports professional development within the building services industry. As a trade body and membership organisation, it provides a wide range of support services from training courses and advice to sharing best practice and opportunities to network and secure new business.

With a growing need for scalable, flexible and accessible training, BESA launched the BESA Academy, a learning hub for industry professionals offering a blend of CPD-accredited training, compliance education and technical skill-building. The aim is to provide accessible, high-quality learning that strengthens professional competence across the sector.

Scaling training beyond face-to-face delivery

Previously, much of BESA’s training was delivered face-to-face at physical training centres. While these training sessions were effective and high-quality, this approach required learners to travel – often involving overnight stays for multi-day courses – creating a significant commitment in both time and cost.

As the organisation’s course catalogue and learner base began to grow rapidly, this traditional model became increasingly difficult to scale. Learners needed more flexible access to training, while BESA needed a way to deliver learning efficiently across the industry without compromising on quality or compliance.

To support a more modern, blended learning approach, BESA needed:

• ✅ A centralised LMS to support members and the wider industry with accessible, high-quality training.
• ✅ Flexible online learning that reduces the need for travel and that fits around busy professional schedules.
• ✅ The ability to combine e-learning with face-to-face and practical training where required.
• ✅ Strong tracking and reporting to demonstrate completion, assessment outcomes and compliance.
• ✅ A scalable platform capable of supporting a growing catalogue of courses and an expanding audience of learners.

The solution needed to make training more accessible and cost-effective, while still supporting industry-specific requirements and maintaining high standards of compliance.

A flexible learning platform built with Synergy Learning

BESA partnered with Synergy Learning to implement a Totara-based learning management system capable of supporting growth, enabling flexibility and maintaining compliance. 

“It became clear we needed a partner who could support our growth and sustainability,” says  Ian Sugden, LMS Manager at BESA. “Synergy Learning offered the technical capability and strategic guidance we needed to develop, maintain and scale our LMS effectively, making them the right choice to support our long-term plans.”

The new platform gives learners a clear, intuitive experience – from self-paced e-learning to booking practical assessments and submitting final assignments – all in one central system. For the training team, it’s an invaluable tool for managing content, tracking performance and staying ahead of compliance changes.

Key features include:

• ✳️ SCORM compatibility for fast deployment and full control of custom-built content.
• ✳️ Seminar management tools to coordinate practical training sessions across multiple locations once online learning is complete.
• ✳️ Assignment and quiz activities that are versatile, easy to track and that suit different training requirements.
• ✳️ Real-time reporting and dashboards to measure learner engagement, progress and certifications.
• ✳️ H5P interactivity to enhance video-based CPD courses and reinforce learning outcomes.

Driving learner engagement and streamlining compliance

Working with Synergy Learning, BESA has transformed how it delivers and manages training, making it more accessible, engaging and scalable across the building services sector. Here are just some of the wins they’ve achieved so far.

Improved access to training nationwide

Learners can now complete online modules anytime, from anywhere, significantly reducing the need for travel and time away from work. Practical sessions are booked through the LMS, making hybrid and blended courses more accessible and easier to complete. This has also saved costs on travel and time spent on training days.

Simplified seminar management

Seminar booking and tracking are fully integrated into the LMS, allowing learners to book practical sessions once they’ve completed the relevant online modules. Real-time updates, automated notifications and attendance reporting all help to simplify administration and improve the learner experience. 

Fast, flexible compliance updates

With modular course structures, BESA can quickly respond to changing regulations by updating specific content areas without rebuilding entire courses. Completion tracking and assessment data also provide a clear audit trail for compliance reporting.

End-to-end visibility and reporting

From enrolment to certification, the LMS tracks every stage of the learner journey. Custom dashboards and reporting tools give the training team instant insight into engagement, enrolments, completions and areas needing attention.

Streamlined course creation and assessment

The ability to upload SCORM packages and use Totara’s built-in assignment and quiz tools allows BESA to launch and update content quickly. This is especially useful for portfolio-based assessments, where learners can upload evidence for review and grading directly through the platform.

Consistently positive learner feedback

Feedback from learners has been overwhelmingly positive, with users highlighting the platform’s clarity, ease of use and the structured learning journey. Regular feedback helps BESA refine content and further improve the learning experience.

What’s next: building deeper competence through hybrid learning

In partnership with Synergy Learning, BESA is now advancing to the next stage of its digital learning strategy, focusing on applied, flexible learning experiences that support competence and compliance across the sector. 

“We have several exciting initiatives planned, including the rollout of a new hybrid learning programme designed to deepen learner engagement and strengthen both competence and compliance,” explains Ian. “By combining structured online modules with more interactive and applied learning elements, we’re creating a more dynamic experience that supports real-world skills development. The next phase is already shaping up to be a strong addition to our learning offering. As we continue to regine, we expect these programmes to deliver even greater value for our learners and provide clearer, more measurable evidence of capability and performance.”

The LMS is now central to how BESA delivers accessible, industry-ready training, helping professionals upskill, stay compliant and build meaningful progress in their careers.

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