QA Total Learning™

Our most effective way to learn. Total Learning combines the best of digital self-paced and live instructor-led learning from our industry experts, giving your teams the tools to apply learning with impact, and allowing you to track and manage your learning investment.

Courses FAQs Get in touch

What is Total Learning?

Discover more about our award-winning learning model and how it can help your organisation.

The essentials

How it works

Total Learning is a three-stage learning process.

Digital stage

A pathway of digital content, encompassing reading, videos, cartoons, and quizzes to learn the essentials before the live event.

Live stage

Virtual interactive classrooms, focused on reinforcing complex topics and deepening knowledge and skills.

Apply stage

Specific focus on passing exams, or projects to allow learners to test their new skills back in the workplace.

Why choose Total Learning?

Our learner-centred design delivers better outcome for learners and organisations.

Fits around the day job

  • Your learners will be out of the organisation for less time. 
  • On-demand digital learning can fit around the day job.
  • Live sessions are typically half the length of our traditional courses.

A better way to learn

  • More flexible learning.
  • Digital essential learning at yourown pace, with live events focused on what matters most.
  • Engaging sessions with participant collaboration.

Top tech trainers

You’re in the hands of the UK’s top tech skills trainers.

  • 98% customer satisfaction
  • 250+ in-house subject matter experts
  • Entrusted by 4,000+ clients in 40+ territories

Delivers better outcomes

  • More focus on workplace application and improved exam outcomes (where applicable)
  • Learners on technical and business courses will be more equipped to apply their skills.
  • For certified courses, we offer a pass pledge. We’re confident in our training and in the unlikely event learners don’t pass first time, we’ll give a free resit.*

*Terms and conditions apply

Pass pledge

For certified courses, we offer a pass pledge. We’re confident in our training and in the unlikely event learners don’t pass first time, we’ll give a free exam resit. Terms and conditions apply.

Pass pledge
Stage one

Digital essential learning

In this learning stage, learners cover the basic content they need to prepare for the live event. 

Training plans

Learners assigned training plans on QA’s digital learning platform, and given prompts to manage progress through their plan.

Mixed media content

We use multimedia to introduce foundational content in an engaging way.

Interactive labs

Our learnig labs help consolidate knowledge, maintain learner engagement, and help learners assess their grasp of fundamentals.

Stage two

Live virtual classroom

In this stage, learners focus on more challenging concepts that are critical to applying skills in the workplace.

Virtual interactions

Learners interact virtually using the latest technology to explore ideas with our expert educators and like-minded peers.

Collaboration tools

Virtual collaboration tools create an engaging and immersive experience so that learning is more effective and memorable – and fun!

Industry experts

All our industry experts have a passion for their subject and listening to them will inspire and motivate learners.

How does virtual learning work?

For additional help with using the interface please see the quick reference and virtual learner guide below:

Quick reference guide Virtual learner guide
Stage three

The apply stage

For business and technical courses

After attending the live event, each learner is required to submit a project plan that will allow them to demonstrate the application of the skills learned back in their workplace.

Once the plan is agreed by their manager, we provide practical resources and nudges to help learners put their new skills into practice back at work. Not only will learners retain more of what they’ve learned, but they will also be able to demonstrate it in the workforce.

For exam-based courses

Learners take their exam at the end of the live event or afterwards. Our exam pass pledge aims to help learners to pass first time, with the reassurance that if they don’t, we’ll arrange a free resit, taking the cost and hassle away from you.

Project plan

Learner creates and submits their project plan via QA’s digital learning platform for approval by their own manager.

Check-in reminders

Learner undertakes their own project plan, receiving check-in reminders to help them keep it on track.

Evaluation

Learners come back together three weeks after the live events to share their experiences of applying the skills learned.

Frequently asked questions

Total Learning as a learning method

Do learners have to attend the kick-off session?

The kick-off session is a mandatory event and will ensure the learner has a really good understanding and introduction to their Total Learning event.

Can learners change their Apply projects on the fly?

Yes. Nevertheless, learners should keep a record of their thinking and reasoning behind such decisions. This should also be included in their Apply activity final reflection.

How does the transition work between each stage of learning?

Learners will be presented with an overview of each course structure from the start, both at the course launch event and soon after in their course introduction section. This will give them commitment expectations for each component, and detailed instructions on how to proceed on a course-by-course basis.

However, learners will typically find that the digital section will end with a live readiness quiz through which they will check whether they are ready for the live event. In the live event, they will have exam-focused readiness interventions (exam-focused courses), or a workplace application workshop (workplace application-focused courses), before starting their workplace application. Learning experience should flow seamlessly, with learners knowing what to do next at every step of the way.

 

If the course is finished with a workplace Apply phase and I am not currently employed, how will that work? Will I be excluded from Total Learning?

No, we will not exclude learners from taking up Total Learning with workplace application and learners can take up Total Learning courses without being employed. However, to receive an Impact Badge, learners will have to complete the Apply component, which will require workplace application. Learners can defer their Apply activity and complete it later, when employed, and as long as their license is still valid.

 

What actually happens at the Apply phase?

At this stage, the course will guide learners to apply what they have learned throughout the course in the workplace. This is a self-paced, hands-on learning component. Most importantly, learners will have to identify the business problem they will be working on, investigate the topic using a variety of primary materials sourced by QA, and work out the most reasonable solution. Finally, learners will document the process taken and present their findings to further consolidate their newly found knowledge. Once completed, QA will release an Impact Badge.

 

Will the course end with a recognised certification if there is no exam?

QA officially recognises individuals for demonstrated competencies and skills at work. We issue Impact Badges for learners who have successfully completed their Apply activity.

Partners

Are Total Learning courses eligible for ESI?

There are currently two courses in Total Learning that are ESI Eligible – MAZ9000 and MAZ140. Learners should contact their QA Account Manager to obtain confirmation from Microsoft that they are ESI eligible. Your Account Manager will then support learners in allocating ESI to the course element of Total Learning.

Support

Can I still contact the facilitator for support, after the live event?

In the courses with a workplace application component, there will be a drop-in clinic two weeks after the event, but if you do have any questions please feel free to email support2.0@qa.com.

I cannot keep up with the discovery learning, what can I do?

Contact support2.0@qa.com and the team will respond within office hours.

Who would I contact if I have difficulty accessing the digital content?

Contact support2.0@qa.com and the team will respond within office hours.

Will I still have access to the digital content, once I have completed the live event?

Learners will have access to the digital content for no longer than 6 months.

Terms

Can bookings be taken after the digital learning element has started, for instance a couple of days before the live event, if the learner commits to completing the digital content in a reduced time?

No, bookings cannot be taken after the live event has started at this stage.

What happens if a learner turns up to the live element and has not completed the digital learning content?

Our terms and conditions state that learners start the course at the kick-off and learners have to complete the digital essential learning – it is necessary to complete this to be able to continue on the live event.

When is the point that this course becomes real for learners in commercial terms, that is: when they can cancel?

The on-boarding/kick-off call is the official start of the training as far as cancellations are concerned.

Visuals

What will show on the website that a course is delivered via Total Learning?

There will be a totally different delivery method section similar to Virtual or Flexible Learning. Total Learning course codes also have the suffix: -TL.

Let's talk

Start your digital transformation journey today

Contact us today via the form or give us a call

0113 220 7150 (UK)  

888-895-3441  (US)

By submitting this form, you agree to QA processing your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in our emails or contacting us directly.

Terms and conditions

1. Pass pledge

1.1 The learner must complete the relevant QA Total Learning™ course in full in order to be eligible for the benefits set out below.

1.2 As part of certain QA Total Learning™ courses, the learner is required to sit exams (each, an "Exam"). Where the learner fails an exam, subject to the clause above, QA will pay for the learner to take a re-take of such exam (or part thereof) (a "free retake").

1.3 QA will pay for the learner to take a maximum of one free retake for the course that the learner has taken. All free retakes must be taken within 3 months of exam results being received by the learner.

1.4 The learner may choose to take a further retake of an exam, however any further retakes shall be at the client’s/learner's own cost and the client/learner shall not be eligible for a refund of the exam nor course fees.

1.5 QA’s standard terms and conditions also apply.