Case Study: How the APS Academy evaluates courses
How the APS Academy evaluates the effectiveness of L&D courses.
Implementing a new approach
The APS Academy updated its approach to evaluating L&D courses in July 2025. One of the changes was to redesign our post-course learner survey so that it was better able to gather deep, actionable insights into the quality of the learner experience and the anticipated benefit of courses.
As part of this process, we developed 5 Key Evaluation Areas (KEAs) that together see k to build a picture of training effectiveness. We share these KEAs below as an example and emphasise that they are not prescriptive.
- Quality (of learning experience): Did the course design and delivery provide a positive, accessible, and engaging learning experience?
- Learning: Is there evidence of the acquisition and retention of the key skills and knowledge covered in the course?
- Relevance: Does the content match learners’ needs and job context? Was it the right level of difficulty and complexity?
- Value: Were the learners satisfied overall? Did they think it was a worthwhile experience? Are they likely to recommend it?
- Application: Do the learners intend to apply what they learned, and how do they plan to do this? Will they return to a work environment that provides opportunity and support to do so?
Questions in this category also aim to ‘nudge’ learners towards behaviours that support learning transfer and provide a lead indicator and baseline measure for impact evaluation.
Some of these KEAs are inspired or informed by existing learning evaluation frameworks and models including the Kirkpatrick model, Learning-Transfer Evaluation Model, and the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation-Behaviour model.
New APS Academy learner surveys
Our updated evaluation approach includes a suite of surveys to collect data in line with these KEAs. Learner surveys are just one part of the broader evaluation and quality assurance process, which also includes attendance data and facilitator feedback.
We share our learner surveys below. Minor changes to survey design are to be expected as we continuously improve these tools.
Facilitator-led courses
Learn more about how to design and build effective learner surveys.
Contact Us
If would like to discuss our evaluation approach in more depth, please contact us