Since 1998, Learning Designs Online has been involved in a national elearning strategy aimed at improving the global competitiveness of the Canadian textile industry.

Spearheaded by the Textiles Human Resources Council (THRC), innovative training and skills initiatives have won two top awards from the ASTD (American Society for Training & Development) and the Conference Board of Canada.

As a key elearning strategy and design partner, LDO has helped the THRC (www.thrc-crhit.org) design and implement elearning solutions that meet the needs of the geographically-dispersed workers and managers in the Canadian textile industry. LDO expertise has helped guide the selection and implementation of elearning technologies and products. We also help the Council identify and work with other key vendors that can help THRC meet its ambitious training mandates.

The THRC unites government, labour, and management to help Canada’s 60,000 textiles employees skill for the knowledge economy. The Canadian government, through Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), regards the THRC’s approach as a "flagship" strategy, establishing the template for Canada’s national industrial training strategy.

At its 2003 national convention in San Diego, the ASTD recognized the THRC for its many elearning successes. The award, in the Excellence in Workplace Learning and Performance category, honours the THRC for its training CD ROM Textile Manufacturing Basics, designed by Learning Designs Online.

Last year, the Conference Board of Canada also recognized the quality of Manufacturing Basics by awarding the THRC the 2002 National Award for Learning Technologies, one of Canada's most prestigeous.

Minister of HRDC, Jane Stewart, believes that the Textile Council’s achievements exemplify ‘best practices’ and could serve as a model for the $100 million strategic funding to enhance global competitiveness of all Canadian industries. The Canadian government hopes to leverage the Council’s numerous successes in elearning courseware design to help other industries succeed.

In 2001, the THRC received the top Conference Board prize for its Textiles Management Internship Program. The Internship Program is offered in cooperation with industry and community colleges, provides specialized skills and knowledge to new science and engineering graduates to encourage them to enter the textiles industry.