An online learning academy run by Teignbridge District Council is going from strength to strength to offer more learning opportunities for public sector employees.

Teignbridge District Council's e-Academy has seen Exeter City Council joined its ranks, less than six months after welcoming Exmoor National Park Authority and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority onboard.

Teignbridge leads the e-Academy, an online learning programme of more than 200 courses, covering topics including business skills, customer skills, management skills and information management.

The courses give local authority staff the skills they need to provide even higher standards of customer service to residents while remaining cost-effective and efficient.

The e-Academy was launched by Teignbridge in October 2011 together with eLearning provider Learning Nexus. Since then Dartmoor National Park Authority, East Devon District Council, Mid Devon District Council, South Hams District Council, South Somerset District Council, Teign Housing and West Devon District Council have signed up and benefit from the courses on offer.

Cllr Mike Walters, Teignbridge District Council's Executive Spokesman for Corporate Services, said:

"We're delighted to welcome Exeter City Council on board. The e-Academy is a great success story because it gives staff the chance to develop their skills, provide even higher standards of customer service ultimately saving each organisation time and money.

“This collaborative training model means each public sector organisation can focus their efforts on equipping staff with the right skills to help give their customers or residents the things they want most in the best, most cost-effective way possible.”