IRM Learning app for iPhone and iPad

The National Business Initiative (NBI) is a voluntary group of leading national and multi-national companies, working together towards sustainable growth and development in South Africa through partnerships, practical programmes and policy engagement. Since its establishment in 1995, the NBI has been an advocate for the collective role of business in support of a stable democracy, growing economy and healthy natural environment.

The NBI, in partnership with the government and the private sector, is implementing the Installation, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) Initiative, aimed at expanding opportunities for TVET students to embark on artisanal learning and employment pathways.

The IRM Initiative comprises demand-led skill training and workplace learning, delivered through blended learning approaches, and aligned to entry-level employment opportunities in artisanal businesses.

The project aims to use a blended learning approach, incorporating digital technologies to enhance the learning experience for technical trainees. The intention is to create a more dynamic learning process that delivers theory and information through interactive materials, enabling the learner to focus on the application of knowledge in the classroom or workshop.

The IRM project has in place a Learning Management System (LMS) that hosts the digital content developed for the programme and provides access to reports on learner usage and outcomes.

Learners will use the mobile application for offline access to content.

Learners can download content when they have access to a network, complete their activities, and have all outcomes logged on the LMS when they are connected once again.

The app enables the exchange of data and is designed to engage learners on an interactive level with appropriate visual appeal, gamification and activities that support technical learning.

The application is designed to facilitate self-learning and assessment, using multi-media elements. The application acts as a secondary offline resource to the IRM LMS.

The IRM Initiative comprises demand-led skill training and workplace learning, delivered through blended learning approaches, and aligned to entry-level employment opportunities in artisanal businesses. This application aims to provide new and existing learners with access to a dedicated mobile application to enhance the learning experience for technical trainees, allowing them to take advantage of the following:

Self-registration and maintenance of profile/CV

Tracking and managing learning progress.

Access to a variety of digital learning includes SCORM files/documents, multimedia, work experience/logbooks and third-party web resources.

Access to offline learning by downloading the learning and assessment content they need at any time.

Syncing their offline activity once they have access to an internet connection.

Gamification mechanisms will allow learners to receive points, badges, trophies, ranking and level up after completing learning and required activities.