IPAF and Sponge win three Brandon Hall Group™ HCM Excellence Awards® for blended learning safety training

IPAF and digital learning provider Sponge have jointly won three Brandon Hall Group™ HCM Excellence Awards® for their Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) Operator Training Course. The course earned Gold awards for Best Compliance Training and Best Unique or Innovative Learning and Development Programme, and Silver for Best Use of Blended Learning.

The triple award win recognizes the transformation of IPAF's longest-standing, globally recognized MEWP operator course, which focuses on theory and practical safety and efficiency, chosen by more than 230,000 MEWP operators worldwide annually. 

On the award win, Paul Roddis, Training Manager at IPAF, said: "It's fantastic to have the MEWP Operator Training Course recognised in this way. This globally collaborative project epitomises IPAF's mission to promote safe, effective use of powered access worldwide. Experts from across the globe worked together, ensuring strict adherence to the latest technical MEWP standards while creating something truly innovative and engaging. The training is a complete game-changer, as it's the first course of its kind to seamlessly integrate behavioural and learning science into the training itself.

 

"The overwhelmingly positive feedback from learners confirms we've achieved our goal – reducing accidents by emphasizing that working safely isn't just about protecting yourself, but also for the sake of your family, friends and colleagues."

The award-winning course runs as a blended learning experience integrating either self-paced eLearning theory training (hosted on Sponge’s LMS, Spark) or classroom theory training, with practical training at an IPAF Approved Training Center. Meeting strict health and safety compliance standards, the course enhances safety outcomes through modular learning paths and 3D simulations.

"This recognition across three categories demonstrates the power of thoughtfully designed blended compliance learning," said Beth Chudley, Head of Learning Solutions at Sponge. “With this course, instructors have been given the flexibility to blend digital content with their own expertise while maintaining strict compliance standards. This approach creates a cohesive learning experience where digital and classroom elements work together seamlessly.”

“This year's Excellence Award winners exemplify the transformative power of strategic human capital management. Through their innovative approaches to talent development and employee engagement, these organizations have not only achieved remarkable business outcomes but have also redefined what it means to create truly people-centric workplaces. Our comprehensive evaluation process has identified these courses as benchmarks for organizational excellence and innovation," said Brandon Hall Group Chief Operating Officer Rachel Cooke, HCM Excellence Awards® program leader.

Entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group analysts, and executives based on these criteria: 

• Alignment to their business need and environment.
• Program design, functionality and delivery.
• Adoption, integration, user experience, innovation and creativity.
• Overall effectiveness, impact, and measurable benefits.

Excellence Award winners will continue to be honored at Brandon Hall Group’s HCM Excellence Conference, February 9-12, 2026, at the Hilton West Palm Beach, Florida. Select winners will also serve as presenters in breakout sessions, sharing their leading practices during the conference.

“The 2025 Excellence Award recipients represent the pinnacle of achievement in human capital management. What sets this year's winners apart is their bold embrace of emerging technologies and their commitment to creating meaningful employee experiences that drive tangible business results. These organizations have demonstrated that when you invest in your people with purpose and innovation, the impact resonates throughout the entire enterprise, creating sustainable competitive advantages in today's dynamic business landscape," said Brandon Hall Group™ Chief Executive Officer Mike Cooke.

This new course must undergo a review edit for North America language and legislation. We expect it to be offered in North America early Q1 2026.