EMI

Supporting a growing training provider to deliver high-impact learning at scale.

The Engineering Management Institute (EMI) provides content, training and development programmes to help engineering professionals acquire hard-to-obtain non-technical skills. Their mission is to help engineers and other technical professionals become better managers and leaders.
As demand for its programmes grew, EMI needed a more robust, scalable solution to support delivery, reporting and learner engagement. By partnering with Synergy Learning and implementing Moodle Workplace, EMI transformed its learning operations at scale: streamlining processes, improving reporting and driving completion rates to a record 93%.

Scaling learning beyond manual processes

In its early stages, EMI had a much smaller cohort of learners and relied on a system that offered only limited learning management system (LMS) functionality. Tracking learner activity was difficult, reporting was minimal and much of the administrative workload (e.g. compiling updates for clients) was handled manually.

As participant numbers increased, this approach quickly became unsustainable. To support this, EMI needed a more robust and interactive solution that could:

• ✅ Support a growing volume of learners and clients
• ✅ Provide detailed, real-time reporting
• ✅ Reduce manual administration
• ✅ Create a more engaging and intuitive learning experience

Synergy Learning: a trusted Moodle partner to support long-term growth

Having worked with learning platforms before, Michellle Cochran, Manager of Learning Programme Operations at EMI, knew that Moodle Workplace could meet their functional requirements. 

“Moodle Workplace really checked all the boxes and Synergy Learning in particular had a great reputation among Moodle partners,” says Michelle. “So I knew that Synergy Learning would be the best fit for what we were looking for support-wise as well.” 

From the outset, the implementation process was smooth and well-structured. Clear kickoff sessions established expectations, roles and timelines, and EMI’s team was able to move quickly through the onboarding process with confidence. 

“Onboarding was pretty much seamless,” she explains. “It was very clear what to expect, who would be responsible for what and what the expectations were for my team. And we really just breezed through it, honestly. I had a lot of confidence in the Synergy Learning Team. Everyone was very knowledgeable and responsive, and I really couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

Automating delivery and empowering clients through the LMS

With Moodle Workplace and Synergy Learning, EMI transformed how its programmes are delivered and managed, particularly for external clients.

One of the most significant changes has been in reporting. Instead of relying on manual updates, EMI can now create customised dashboards tailored to individual clients. These dashboards provide real-time visibility into participant progress, allowing clients to access the information they need independently.

Automation has further streamlined operations for EMI. Using dynamic rules in Moodle Workplace, EMI can now guide learners through the full journey, from course completion to exams and certification, while also triggering reminders for unfinished work. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed within minutes.

This efficiency has enabled EMI to scale its learning programmes with confidence. From just a few hundred participants in the early days, the organisation has supported nearly 800 learners in 2025 alone, all managed through a centralised LMS.

At the same time, carefully configured permission settings allow clients to access data and insights without compromising the integrity of the system. This balance of control and accessibility has been key to delivering a smooth external learning experience.

Driving engagement, completion and certification growth

The impact of the new LMS has been both immediate and measurable. Previously, EMI estimated course completion rates at around 60-75%, although limited tracking made this difficult to confirm. With Moodle Workplace, the team now has full visibility into learner engagement and results have improved significantly.

In 2025 alone, EMI recorded:

• ✳️ A 93% attendance rate
• ✳️ An 86% activity completion rate

Another major milestone has been the rollout of the AEC PM certification in Spring 2024. The AEC PM certification is a practical certification designed for architects, engineers and constructors to master scoping, scheduling, budget, risk, client communication, team leadership and project management. 
To date, the programme has already resulted in 500 certifications issued, with a new self-paced option further accelerating uptake.

What’s next: expanding reach and evolving certifications

With a scalable foundation now in place, EMI is focused on expanding its reach and offering. The organisation is growing its presence in both the public sector and architecture firms, broadening its focus within the AEC space. At the same time, it is also developing a new certification focused on people leadership, with a launch planned in 2026.

By partnering with Synergy Learning and successfully implementing Moodle Workplace, EMI has moved from a manual, limited system to a scalable, data-driven learning environment.

The result is a programme that supports more learners, delivers better outcomes, strengthens client experiences and has far greater operational efficiency, creating a solid foundation for the future of learning at EMI.

“It was very clear what to expect, who would be responsible for what and what the expectations were for my team. And we really just breezed through it, honestly. I had a lot of confidence in the Synergy Learning Team. Everyone was very knowledgeable and responsive, and I really couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

Michelle Cochran

Manager of Learning Programme Operations | Engineering Management Institute