Grant Darron Lesch
Learning Consultant/Learning Lead
Bellville
Summary
Experienced Learning Consultant with a strong track record of success in the financial services sector. Expertise in people development, performance improvement, and crafting engaging learning experiences. Proven ability to facilitate impactful learning sessions, coach individuals towards peak performance, and design innovative learning solutions aligned with organizational goals. Dynamic professional focused on continuous improvement and professional development, skilled in applying design thinking principles to create effective learning solutions. Skillset includes adult learning theory, in-person and virtual facilitation, strategic performance consulting, learning needs analysis, design thinking, blended learning, learning analytics, learning experience design and assessment design.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
8082
8082
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Employee Wellbeing Practice Lead
Old Mutual
03.2020 - Current
- Lead the Employee Wellbeing practice
- Implement and execute on the Employee Wellbeing strategy
- Engage with Employee Wellbeing partners on wellbeing initiatives
- Collaborated with Employee Wellbeing practice leads across Old Mutual
Learning Consultant/Learning Lead
Old Mutual
05.2017 - Current
- Consult with stakeholders (incl
- Team leaders, operational managers and executives) on performance improvement initiatives and learning programmes that support business strategy and objectives
- Consult with stakeholders to determine their performance requirements
- Develop and implement the learning strategy aligned to building strategic capabilities
- Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Create learning solutions and learning journeys that have meaningful impact on the strategic objectives of the business
- Develop holistic role-based learning journeys
- Develop a Learning Curriculum covering tech, digital, customer service and power skills
- Design and develop blended learning solutions (70 20 10 leaning philosophy)
- Provide learning expertise to business units in the areas of assessment, design and development, measuring effectiveness and evaluating learning programmes
- Provides business feedback on the effectiveness of performance improvement interventions
- Measure business impact of learning interventions
- Research, influence and implement learning best in class standards
- Drive the building of a strong, active learning culture
- Learning lead on strategic projects
- Lead the learning stream for the Corporate Servicing team on the Two Pot Retirement System
- Leading a team of Senior Learning Facilitators
- Providing ongoing coaching and support to learning facilitators based on their Personal Development Plans
- Facilitate regular 1:1's to track progress and discuss development against OKR's and PDP
- Partnered with external vendors to offer high-quality training resources and content for targeted learning programs.
- Evaluated learner progress through assessments, identifying areas for improvement and adapting instructional strategies accordingly.
- Collaborated with subject matter experts to ensure accurate, relevant, and up-to-date course content.
- Championed a culture of continuous learning within the organization by promoting development opportunities and encouraging employees to take ownership of their professional growth.
- Managed multiple concurrent projects with strong time management skills, ensuring timely completion of all tasks without compromising quality or client satisfaction.
- Identified skill gaps within employee population and recommended appropriate learning interventions resulting in increased workforce proficiency.
- Provided subject matter expertise on all courses, materials, and lesson plans.
- Designed course materials and supported implementation.
- Effectively implemented best training practices and adult learning principles in planning and creation of instructional materials.
- Fostered relationships with key stakeholders in the organization including HR partners and department managers contributing towards better understanding organizational learning needs.
- Served as a mentor to learners seeking guidance in their professional development journey, offering support and resources for success.
- Stayed current with industry trends and best practices in instructional design and delivery techniques, refining approaches as necessary for optimal results.
- Developed customized training solutions tailored to the unique needs of individual clients or organizations.
- Designed evaluation metrics and analyzed data to measure the effectiveness of implemented learning solutions leading to continuous improvement in training offerings.
- Conducted thorough evaluations of training programs to identify areas for improvement, implementing adjustments as needed for maximum effectiveness.
- Developed assessments and user polls to evaluate course effectiveness, altering content and delivery to achieve student learning goals.
- Negotiated contracts and delivery plans with vendors.
Senior Learning Facilitator
Old Mutual
05.2009 - 04.2017
- Holistic consulting with business partners including the operational managers and team leaders to determine and understand performance needs
- Develop learning plan based on the learning needs identified
- Design and develop blended and/or self-directed learning programs for the call centre, processing office and branches
- Design e-learning modules using Adobe software i.e
- Adobe Captivate
- Design license to serve assessments based on assessment criteria
- Facilitate learning interventions
- Measure and monitor the effectiveness and the impact of learning programs on the business
- Continuous improvement of learning programs
- Quality assurance of learning material
Learning Facilitator
Sanlam Employee Benefits
07.2005 - 04.2009
- Conduct learning needs analysis
- Design and deliver customized learning interventions
- Train the trainer sessions with colleagues
- Plan and schedule learning interventions
- Design and conduct assessments
- Assess learners for competency and make recommendations to achieve competency
Administrator/Team Leader
Sanlam Head Office
06.1999 - 04.2009
- Administering retirement funds on various administration platforms
- Managing a team of administrators
- Generated trustee reports
- Collaborated various stakeholders within the company
Education
Learning And Development Certificate Program - Learning And Development
AIHR | Academy To Innovate HR
Netherlands 01.2024 - 01.2025
Bachelor of Commerce - Industrial and Organisational Psychology
University of South Africa (UNISA)
South Africa 01.2017 - 01.2025
Design Thinking in Practice - Design Thinking
Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking At University of Cape
Cape Town, South Africa01-2019
OD ETDP NQF Level 5 - Education, Training And Development
Maccauvlei Learning Academy
South Africa01-2010
Certificate in Adult Basic Education And Training -
UNISA
South AfricaMatric Certificate -
Elsies River Senior Secondary School
Elsies RiverNo Degree - Agile
Agile Bootcamp & Introduction To Business Agility
Cape Town 04.2001 - 01.2022
Skills
Instructional Design
Blended learning
Performance consulting
Application of Adult Learning Principles
Learning analytics
Problem-solving
Adaptability
Coaching and mentoring
Curriculum development
Storyboarding
Accomplishments
- NQF Level 5
- Africa Competency Development
- Supervise a Project Team of Developmental Project to Deliver Project Objectives
- NQF Level 5
- False Bay College
- Identify and Recommend Support Needs for People with Disabilities
- NQF Level 5
- Faisit (Pty) Ltd
- Mentor a colleague to enhance the individual`s knowledge, skills, values and attitudesin a selected career path
- NQF Level 4
Timeline
Learning And Development Certificate Program - Learning And Development
AIHR | Academy To Innovate HR
01.2024 - 01.2025
Employee Wellbeing Practice Lead
Old Mutual
03.2020 - Current
Learning Consultant/Learning Lead
Old Mutual
05.2017 - Current
Bachelor of Commerce - Industrial and Organisational Psychology
University of South Africa (UNISA)
01.2017 - 01.2025
Senior Learning Facilitator
Old Mutual
05.2009 - 04.2017
Learning Facilitator
Sanlam Employee Benefits
07.2005 - 04.2009
No Degree - Agile
Agile Bootcamp & Introduction To Business Agility
04.2001 - 01.2022
Administrator/Team Leader
Sanlam Head Office
06.1999 - 04.2009
Design Thinking in Practice - Design Thinking
Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking At University of Cape
OD ETDP NQF Level 5 - Education, Training And Development
Maccauvlei Learning Academy
Certificate in Adult Basic Education And Training -
UNISA
Matric Certificate -
Elsies River Senior Secondary School
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