Home Office 'spent almost £9,000 on iPods'
Tuesday, 22 May 2007 10:23
The iPods are loaded with short training programmes
A small number of top Home Office officials have been given iPods to provide them with lessons in leadership while on the go.
The department has reportedly spent almost £9,000 on the video iPods. According to the Times, one source described the scheme as a "wacky idea".
The gadgets are loaded with short videos and the training scheme is being piloted by a small number of staff who will experiment with the iPod's flexible learning advantages.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We're constantly seeking to find the most cost effective way of providing learning and development across the department.
"Video iPods, pre loaded with 50, three to five minute leadership lessons, are currently being piloted with a small number of senior civil service staff.
"As with other modern learning aids, iPods provide the opportunity for flexible learning and the cost is extremely competitive compared with the rates for classroom training for senior staff.
She noted that the capacity of the iPod made it more advantageous that classroom training, with the benefit of doing it on the go.
"The capacity on one iPod represents the equivalent of three days worth of classroom training. In addition, material on the iPods can be recycled whereas classroom training cannot," she said.