Case Study · Response Group Insights
AMPC Covid Marshal Training: A $14 Return for Every Dollar Invested
How Response built an award-winning eLearning course for the red meat industry in under three months, and helped keep every participating plant compliant.
The Challenge
During Covid, Australia's meat processing industry was classed as high-risk, and plants had to show regulators they had real protocols in place to prevent outbreaks. In states like Victoria, appointing and properly training Covid Marshals on every shift was mandatory. Failing to comply could see a plant ordered to close by health authorities.
The Australian Meat Industry Council asked the Australian Meat Processing Corporation to engage Response to build a self-paced eLearning course on the Covid Marshal role, for every plant in the industry, on any device.
The Strategy
“Unfortunately, state-based programs available to train Covid Marshals were generic in nature and did not consider the intricacies of the food production industry, specifically red meat processing,” said Paul Eldridge, Response Group International's Director of Strategy and Business Development.
The brief had a hard deadline: a suitably trained Covid Marshal on every shift, in under three months, with state-based legislation built in and each state's requirements signed off individually.
What Changed
Response used its research, eLearning and technology capabilities to write, design and build an interactive course, with scenarios drawn from real plant operations so learners were actually engaging with the material rather than clicking through it.
“There was an urgency to design and deliver the training relatively quickly, because there was a risk that a plant could be shut down if they didn't have a suitably trained Covid Marshal on each shift,” said Paul. “Adding to this complexity, we had to ensure that we included relevant state-based legislation and regulation, so Covid Marshals in each state had access to up-to-date and accurate information.”
The finished course used industry-relevant video, clickable images, scenarios and learning games, built specifically around red meat processing rather than a generic workplace.
The Results
No plant that completed the program was issued a non-compliance notice for not having a trained Covid Marshal onsite. In November 2021, the course won a Gold Award for Best Pandemic Resource at the LearnX Awards, judged against entries from New Zealand, Singapore and the US.
“Covid Marshal was also one of five projects chosen by AMPC for an external review conducted by KPMG to quantify return on investment,” said Paul. “Of the five projects, it delivered the highest return on investment: $14 for every dollar invested, which tends to back up a lot of statistics regarding the effectiveness of eLearning when it's done well.”
Where It Led
The Covid Marshal course became one of the clearest proof points for Response's eLearning capability: built fast, built for one specific industry rather than a generic audience, and independently verified for both compliance outcomes and return on investment.
You May Also Like
Leadership Reimagined: A Simple Guide to Systems Leadership and Neuroscience with Andrew Moore
Andrew Moore explains Systems Leadership and the neuroscience of leadership, and how they combine to create more effective, empathetic leaders.
Embracing the Australian Vietnam Strategic Partnership for Educational Excellence and Beyond
What the Australia-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership means for education, skills development and trade, and Response’s role in it.
Conscious Cyber Behaviour Shouldn’t Stop When You Leave Work
Why cyber awareness has to extend beyond work, and how Response’s workshop-style Cyber Behaviour Awareness program builds safer habits.
