SIMAC: “With iSpring, we deliver impactful and cost-effective maritime training to 700+ learners globally”
8 minutes
SIMAC is Denmark’s leading institution for marine education. The organization cooperates in a goal-oriented manner with national and international networks and in close association with the maritime world. With over 2,000 students a year, SIMAC provides comprehensive education to maritime engineers, ship officers, and other specialists in Denmark and around the world.
In this case study, Jeppe Sylvest Carstensen, Head of Training at SIMAC, shares how eLearning with iSpring has helped the organization shift toward an effective hybrid training model, improve the quality of training content, and even expand to new markets more rapidly.
Background
Jeppe Sylvest Carstensen
Head of Training at SIMAC
SIMAC (Svendborg International Maritime Academy) was founded in 2001 and now features three educational programs. 70% of our students are located overseas, so we’re proud of our global reach.
We have our own course department where we develop training materials in compliance with IMO (International Maritime Organization). I personally make sure that every course we deliver, in conjunction with certified maritime experts, meets IMO standards.
Today, SIMAC is a recognized educational partner in the maritime business world. We help organizations and companies produce the most competent, senior employees and cultivate leaders who drive excellence and safety in the maritime industry.
The challenge: Transitioning to blended learning
During the COVID-19 pandemic, SIMAC first faced the challenge of moving from traditional face-to-face training to a blended learning approach. The goal was to conduct part of the training online, which includes preparation courses based on manuals and technical regulations, and then meet the instructors for live sessions to practice the acquired skills.
“We wanted our students to meet the instructors only when it truly added value, ensuring their expertise offered practical insights instead of merely repeating compliance standards or textbook content.”
Jeppe and his team started looking for the right ways and tools to create and deliver online training efficiently while maintaining the highest maritime educational standards:
“We tried conducting training via Microsoft Teams with shared access to files, but this approach had a lot of limits. We also tested a Swedish training provider vendor — it didn’t live up to our expectations, either.”
The solution: iSpring
The organization needed both a solid course creation tool and a training delivery platform that offers a great user experience combined with solid training management. Jeppe discovered iSpring’s eLearning software while researching various learning management platforms online.
iSpring Suite: Easy collaboration with subject matter experts in a familiar interface
The first thing he appreciated about the iSpring Suite authoring tool was its PowerPoint-based interface. This provided a familiar environment for creating high-quality interactive SCORM courses and allowed him to rework existing PPT presentations into dynamic training content quickly and efficiently.
“It’s a very familiar environment for our instructors as well. When I request a PowerPoint presentation from an expert, they deliver it promptly, and we then work together to turn it into the online segments needed for our training programs with iSpring Suite. The process is fast and gives me full control over course content development.”
From slides to engaging courses with a comprehensive feature set
iSpring Suite’s feature set helps Jeppe build solid learning experiences within a comfortable timeframe. The types of content range from technical training modules to simulator courses and management and leadership training segments.
“Creating a course section typically takes us two to three days for content and up to two days for editing, though we often complete it in just one day. It’s easy to enrich instructors’ materials with interactive elements and add voice-overs, videos, and more. So, it’s actually done very rapidly once the [course creation] process is up and running.”
A SIMAC training course created in iSpring Suite.
When working on courses, Jeppe actively incorporates interactive quizzes into the content to test students’ knowledge and create more structured learning paths with clear milestones.
A quiz created in iSpring Suite.
He also enjoys exploring new capabilities of the tool and experimenting with adding them to training materials for increased learner engagement and information recall.
iSpring Learn: Effective training automation made easy
Over time, SIMAC added the iSpring Learn LMS to its blended learning toolset. Initially using Moodle for their academy’s internal courses, Jeppe struggled with the cumbersome process of signing up external participants for short, intensive sessions. Navigating the platform’s interface was also challenging, especially for less tech-savvy staff members.
Switching to iSpring Learn simplified everything right from the start:
“When I sign people up and run things inside iSpring Learn, it’s very straightforward, from course enrollment to training program delivery and tracking. It’s simple to navigate, and even if you haven’t used iSpring Learn for months, it’s still easy to find solutions and use the features you need intuitively. I have only contacted tech support once since I started working with the LMS.”
A SIMAC training course in iSpring Learn.
Data-driven training tracking and quality control on a single platform
SIMAC takes advantage of iSpring Learn’s robust data reports and analytics to monitor learner progress and performance closely. As deadlines and milestones approach, Jeppe regularly reviews the supervisor dashboard to identify who is actively engaging with the material and who might be falling behind.
“Progress reports allow me to quickly reach out and give students, let’s say, a two-and-a-half-day window to complete their tasks so they can move forward with their training on schedule.”
Beyond tracking progress and attendance, Jeppe uses the analytics from iSpring Learn to refine course content. If he or his colleagues notice a pattern of participants struggling with certain quiz questions, it indicates that the material might need improvement or reframing. Additionally, Jeppe conducts annual evaluations of all course elements and personally reviews new courses to ensure they meet the desired standards. This comprehensive use of iSpring Learn’s data helps with managing learner performance and continuously enhancing the training programs SIMAC provides.
The results
Since the introduction of iSpring’s eLearning software into their evolving blended learning approach, SIMAC has overcome several key challenges.
A more cost-effective training approach that drives solid results
Jeppe and his team at SIMAC have achieved significant cost savings and operational efficiencies thanks to the hybrid training model with iSpring. By minimizing reliance on live instructors and delivering large segments of training online, the organization has cut down costs on instructor travel, live session venues, and trainer fees.
“Now we bring in instructors to create real value only when their personal presence is key to the educational process. This eliminates the need for them to present every session. Besides, this approach allows us to promote a greener approach to training: you don’t have to fly people around the world all the time for live events, which reduces our carbon footprint.”
Empowering students with engaging self-paced learning
Jeppe has already created over 30 online courses with iSpring Suite and delivered them to aspiring maritime professionals via iSpring Learn. When asked about learners’ experiences, he highlights the consistently positive feedback. For example, students appreciate the flexibility that the LMS offers, allowing them to control their learning schedules:
“Our learners love being able to prepare at their own pace, whether they’re at home or managing their on-and-off ship schedules.”
Students also value the ability to access courses on their smartphones or tablets, which enables them to study while commuting or during short breaks. This approach aligns perfectly with the current mobile-first generation. It has also led to high satisfaction rates since learners feel empowered to manage their own education without compromising their personal or professional responsibilities.
Gaining a competitive edge in new international markets
Since implementing online learning and making it an integral part of SIMAC, Jeppe and his team have successfully expanded their reach into international markets, particularly in Africa and the Far East. This is especially challenging in the maritime industry, where crews are dispersed across the globe and maintaining consistent, high-quality training is crucial for safety and operational efficiency. With iSpring, SIMAC can deliver standardized training programs remotely:
“Today, shipping companies prefer education providers and solutions where they don’t have to send their crew across the world for training sessions. This is where we can deliver comprehensive online maritime training that is accessible anywhere.”
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