Motivating your learners—and keeping them engaged—is one of the most important aspects of a successful training program. Engaged learners retain knowledge better, are more likely to apply what they’ve learned, and are far more likely to complete their courses.
But engagement doesn’t just happen. It needs to be planned, measured, and iterated. This playbook explores how one organization, the Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IECBC), wove engagement into every aspect of their training program and saw real results:
- Course completion rates jumped from 50% to 74%
- Learner enrollment more than doubled in two years
- 64% of graduates reported gaining employment after completing the program
What follows isn’t just a case study. It’s a collection of practical insights and engagement strategies that any learning team can apply—no matter the size of your audience or your team.
Engagement is emotional
IECBC didn’t just add gamification or toggle a few settings in their LMS. They designed their program around how learners feel—what motivates them to log in, continue, and finish. Here’s how they mapped LMS features to meaningful emotional experiences:
- Accomplishment: Badges and certificates acknowledged progress and helped learners track their own success.
- Accountability: Built-in course timers created a subtle sense of urgency without adding pressure.
- Application: Learners could share their certificates on LinkedIn, making learning outcomes visible and actionable.
- Community: The Collaboration tool created a space for learners to support one another, especially powerful for newcomers navigating a new country.
- Encouragement: Automated nudge emails reminded learners where they should be, based on their progress.
- Opportunity: The billboard feature highlighted what learners had “unlocked” as they progressed—next steps, new courses, and key resources.
This multi-layered approach made learners feel empowered and supported, not overwhelmed or forgotten. Many became vocal advocates for the program, describing it as transformative.
Content comes first
IECBC’s team is small—just four people—but they’ve built a program that feels personal, high-quality, and scalable. That’s because they began with strong content, developed through input from both learners and subject matter experts.
They used Articulate to build interactive, mobile-friendly modules filled with video, storytelling, reflection exercises, and short quizzes. When learners asked for more knowledge checks, IECBC added them. The feedback loop was always active.
The result: a curriculum that builds both confidence and competence—and is accessible on any connected device.
Using Absorb Engage to scale without burnout
Before switching to Absorb in 2022, IECBC had limited automation and virtually no insight into learner behavior. They had to send reminders manually, use third-party tools for feedback, and manage certifications by hand.
Absorb Engage changed that.
With the right setup, they were able to:
- Automate weekly nudges, course reminders, and certification delivery
- Use dashboards and billboards to create tailored learner experiences
- Track cohort performance across 50+ partner organizations
- Launch facilitator onboarding courses inside the LMS
- Gather real-time feedback via polls and post-course surveys
These efficiencies let them scale without needing to scale their team. Learner enrollment grew from 630 to 1,300 in just two years, with a 65% year-over-year jump in year one alone.
Lessons from IECBC's playbook
- Start small: IECBC began with polls and leaderboards—quick wins with minimal setup—and gradually added more features based on learner feedback.
- Design engagement into the experience: Engagement wasn’t layered on at the end. It was integrated into the pacing, delivery, and emotional flow of the learning experience.
- Support all stakeholders: Partners were key to success. IECBC provided each with a standardized onboarding package, digital assets, and training—all through the LMS.
- Don’t let time constraints derail progress: By making content self-paced, mobile-friendly, and time-bound, learners could participate on their own schedule while still feeling accountable.
What could this look like for your program?
If your training goals include higher completion rates, more engaged learners, or measurable post-course impact, engagement is the lever to pull. With tools like Absorb Engage, you don’t need a huge team or complex setup to make it happen.
You just need to design with intention. Learn how Absorb Engage can help your learners stay motivated and connected here.
