LONDON, August 19, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Pizza Express partners with ThirdForce, the UK's leading technology enabled learning provider, to implement an innovative eLearning, training and development programme. The two-phase implementation follows the completion of a successful pilot scheme across 35 of its sites and the organisation, part of the market-leading Gondola Group, will complete the roll-out in 2011.

In the first two months of the pilot programme, 83 courses were completed, generating savings estimated at GBP5,000 when compared with face-to-face training. Regulatory compliance e-learning courses in Foundation Food Safety, Foundation Health and Safety, DDA and content developed in-house lead the programme, with learning assigned, monitored and reported through ThirdForce's learning management system, AIMS(TM). The potential for cost reductions across the wider business are self evident and high value is placed on the successful employee development opportunities that the programme offers for more than 9,500 staff.

Mark Angela, CEO of Pizza Express, commented: We want to attract really good people to our business. Those people coming in should feel that the standard of training and development that they receive is second to none and that they couldn't get anything else like it in any other casual dining business.

The organisation is delivering the training via ThirdForce's el-box(TM), a tablet PC similar in size to a standard laptop, with a touch sensitive, flip-top screen and a robust design that is preloaded with the necessary catalogue of courses. Mark Angela describes the el-box(TM), which gives 24/7 access in Pizza Express restaurants, as a real game changer for us.

Pizza Express HR Director Julie MacDonald commented: Instead of touching a few people and making them travel quite large distances we can touch 9,500 people with the quality of training and development I think they deserve.

Marco Faccini, head of hospitality leisure, ThirdForce UK and International, commented: Pizza Express has one of the best learning cultures I have ever seen. The organisation recognises that the people are the key asset in the business and this level of employee investment is unprecedented in these current times. We are very excited at the partnership we will be forging over the coming years.

Pui Ho, Head of Training and Development at Pizza Express commented: I have used e-Learning throughout my career and know the scope of this fabulous learning method. I look forward to being able to maximise the el-box and drive our learning and development activities through it.

Mark Angela concluded: Pizza Express is deadly serious about training, we don't just talk it, we walk it!

For further information, please visit http://www.ThirdForce.co.uk and http://www.gondolaholdings.com.

About ThirdForce

ThirdForce is an established provider of technology enabled learning solutions and services deployed in more than 30 countries. Working with over 2,500 customers across all major industries, our e-learning and e-assessment solutions have reached over 17 million learners.

A leading specialist in its field, the company has over 25 years' experience, providing a strong platform to evolve, grow and embrace new technologies and concepts.

All products combine the latest innovations in e-learning and unique wrap-around services and infrastructure to provide you with a complete solution. The company's extensive portfolio of over 4,000 courses encompasses: Compliance Training, IT Professional Certification, IT Desktop Skills, Business and Personal Skills, Talent Management, NVQ Provision, Skills for Life, Support Services, Hardware and Systems.

ThirdForce is a people oriented company and understands the need for organisations to offer the right type and level of training whenever and wherever it's needed. The company specialise in aligning training to meet organisational goals in order to maximise employee performance and achieve business success.

With International HQ in London, US HQ in Columbus, Ohio and regional offices in Ireland and Canada, ThirdForce continues to expand into new sectors and markets with developing product portfolios.

For further details contact info@thirdforce.com

Public Relations Agency: Mango Marketing Rachel Womack Tel: +44(0)1932-829077 Fax: +44(0)1932-827576 Email: rachel.womack@mangomarketing.com

SOURCE: ThirdForce CLM Ltd

CONTACT: Public Relations Agency: Mango Marketing, Rachel Womack, Tel:+44(0)1932-829077, Fax: +44(0)1932-827576, Email:rachel.womack@mangomarketing.com