HM Customs & Excise had made a strategic decision to increase the usage of distance learning, and to support this Bryancarried out some research to find out what needed to be done to make this strategy successful.

This involved talking to end users and training personnel to find out what skills were needed to develop distance learning materials internally and to identify what issues needed to be addressed to make sure that the new approach was accepted by learners.

Prior to the implementation of the Climate Change Levy Bryan carried out an analysis to see what type of distance learning materials would be most effective.

As a result of this training needs analysis he designed a workbook based around case studies of typical businesses affected by the Levy. Learners were asked questions which required them to consult the guidance available on the Levy, this approach dealing with the twin performance requirements of being able to apply knowledge to real situations and to be able to find appropriate information quickly.

Bryan reviewed existing training provision and redesigned it as a blended solution, with:

• paper workbooks providing the underpinning knowledge about how CFSP   works and what customs officers needed to know
• workshops, providing opportunities to clarify areas of understanding and to apply their knowledge in a series of case studies and other practical exercises.

Bryan's analysis led to the design of a blended solution including:

• paper workbook covering how the fraud works and how it is detected
• a workshop leading participants through a series of case studies providing practice in analysing invoice trails to identify potential fraud.