How The Celebrant Institute Saves $700 per Learner Enrolment with aXcelerate

Some of the most significant and heartfelt moments are made unforgettable with the help of dedicated celebrants. From the joyous union of weddings to the tender remembrance of memorials and funerals, from renewing vows to welcoming babies into the world, celebrants play a vital role in creating meaningful ceremonies.

When acclaimed celebrant Sarah Aird bought The Celebrant Institute (RTO 22417) (formerly Life Skills Training) and stepped into the role of CEO in 2020, she inherited a legacy of market-leading celebrant training.

From ‘Yes’ to Stress

Assuming the role just two weeks before COVID-19 shut everything down, the RTO faced system issues, high operational expenses and an urgent need to adapt training delivery:

1. Disparate systems: The business relied on separate Student Management (SMS) and Learning Management (LMS) systems that didn’t integrate well. These disparate systems couldn’t handle the complexity in the RTO’s course delivery, or recognise whether a learner had reached sufficient competency. This made compliance, and delivering the desired learner experience, a challenge.
2. Transition to online training: When COVID-19 hit, the cancellation of face-to-face classes meant Sarah needed to swiftly transition to online training. With incompatible systems and unsuitable online learning tools, moving online seemed very difficult.
3. Manual assessment processes: Assessors struggled with multiple documents per learner and time-consuming manual marking processes. This was leading to high operational costs and a diminished learner experience.

Uniting compliance and learner engagement with a VET-focused solution

Driven by the vision to create an empowering and enriching experience for learners, Sarah partnered with aXcelerate for a comprehensive VET-focused solution. The RTO first implemented aXcelerate's SMS, followed by the integrated LMS, to deliver:

1. Unified training management: aXcelerate brought together crucial training, assessment, and communication functions into a single, user-friendly platform. This offered better oversight of all aspects of the business, and created efficiency across the entire training management process. 
2. Structured online training: Learning Plans in aXcelerate’s LMS allowed the RTO to organise and structure course content to pace learners through step-by-step learning journeys, ensuring logical progression and valid prerequisites. 
3. Efficient assessment marking: aXcelerate's integrated system allowed assessors to view learner progress, access assessment materials and provide feedback in one interface. Assessors were able to save time when marking and experienced improved accuracy.
4. Automation: aXcelerate's workflow functionality automated manual tasks, such as sending invoices and reminder emails, enabling consistent and efficient communication with learners.

A toast to resolution

The Celebrant Institute has experienced transformative outcomes from implementing aXcelerate. 

1. Cost reduction: After just six months of using aXcelerate’s SMS and LMS functionality, The Celebrant Institute has saved $700 per enrolment, on average. aXcelerate’s solution eliminated costly manual assessment processes and reduced operational expenses. 
2. Enhanced learner experience: Learners now enjoy interactive videos, visually appealing content and a structured learning experience, resulting in improved satisfaction and engagement.
3. Centralised operations: A centralised system provides better oversight, tracking learner progress, facilitating communication and freeing up time for the team to focus on quality training delivery.
4. Compliance and efficiency: aXcelerate's VET-tailored features minimise errors, helping to easily meet compliance requirements. Sarah and her team quickly found each feature is purpose-built to intrinsically work together to create the best experience for RTOs managing their learners, staff, training delivery and assessment. 

By leveraging aXcelerate's unified SMS and LMS solution, The Celebrant Institute overcame operational challenges and transformed its training management processes. Learning Plans, streamlined assessments, workflow automation and cost reduction have significantly improved learner experience, compliance and overall operational efficiency. With aXcelerate as their trusted partner, The Celebrant Institute can wholeheartedly devote itself to training and nurturing the next generation of celebrants, delivering exceptional experiences, and creating memorable ceremonies.