Less rework, better data: GTG drives efficiency with OneAdvanced’s ePortfolio - LMS integration
“The integration has made our lives a lot, lot easier.” Ursula Christie, MI (Data) Manager, GTG Training
by OneAdvanced PRPublished on 7 May 2025 4 minute read
About GTG Training
GTG Training is an independent training provider with roots in logistics training dating back to 1971. Now operating as the training wing of Arnold Clark, GTG delivers commercial and apprenticeship training from four locations: two sites in Glasgow, one in Edinburgh, and one in Wolverhampton. Programmes span automotive, logistics, and business apprenticeships, with the organisation also expanding into construction.
GTG serves learners across Scotland and England, offering funded apprenticeships at Level 2 and 3 in England and Level 7 and 9 in Scotland. The Scottish provision is the most established and diverse, while the English provision continues to grow.
Ursula Christie, who we interviewed for this case study, is the MI (Data) Manager at GTG. Her role is hybrid: she is the primary system administrator for ePortfolio (Smart Assessor), leads on reporting for both internal and external purposes, and builds and maintains data tools and trackers used throughout the business.
GTG has been using ePortfolio (Smart Assessor) since 2018/19 and uses LMS (PICS) for its MIS functions in England, with a migration of MIS data from Maytas currently underway in Scotland. The organisation also uses Assessment and Learning (bksb) for functional skills.
The Problem
Manual input and error duplication were creating administrative burden and operational inefficiency.
The Solution
OneAdvanced’s ePortfolio with LMS integration.
The Result
The team at GTG have achieved greater efficiency though enhanced risk reporting, centralised data visibility, automated data imports, and streamlined enrolment flows. This has led to time saved, cross-framework consistency, and improved Ofsted readiness.
The Challenge
GTG faced operational challenges in managing its apprenticeship provision, including:
- Lack of central visibility: No reliable organisation-wide view of learner progress, with data difficult to extract and interpret, leading to missed gaps and late-stage compliance issues.
- Manual and fragmented tracking: Progress tracked through ad hoc, manual methods, with no single system bringing everything together.
- Multiple delivery models and frameworks: Different funding models and qualification structures made consistency difficult to maintain.
- Multi-site complexity: Teams across locations lacked consistent, shared access to the same data.
- Risk of late intervention: Limited visibility meant issues were identified too late to support learners effectively.
As Ursula Christie explains: “We were just constantly being blindsided; we were trying to track learners more manually, but it became clear that actually we needed an e-portfolio where everything could sit together."
Key Capabilities That Made the Difference
Data Visibility
- The move from fragmented systems has given the team better oversight, transforming how they monitor learner progress and act on what they see.
- GTG can now run comprehensive programme risk reports that draw together progress, off-the-job data, functional and core skills, and session attendance.
Employer engagement access
- GTG have been able to give employers meaningful access to learner portfolios – a significant operational benefit given the diverse range of employer partners.
- Employer relationships have strengthened.
Quality assurance and standardisation
- The quality assurance team have been able to standardise learning materials and assessment content, meaning every tutor and assessor across all sites and programmes uses the same resource.
- By standardising assessments (directly integrated into ePortfolio) the teams at GTG have been able to identify weak tests, strong or weak delivery, and areas requiring revision.
Integration with LMS
- The ePortfolio /LMS integration has significantly reduced the admin burden on staff, who are no longer faced with manual uploads and frequent errors.
- GTG now have a single source of data truth, enabling them to act with clarity and consistency.
Flexibility for mixed provision
- Then flexibility of the platform has allowed GTG to successfully configure core processes for apprenticeship provision spanning Scottish frameworks, English standards, and Welsh learners.
- The platform allowed the team to customise aims and activity libraries to each context.
The Results
Operational Excellence
GTG now has a live risk report drawing on progress, off-the-job data, functional/core skills and session attendance. This enables timely, targeted intervention for learners who need support.
Standardised activity libraries and SVLE assessment data have given the curriculum team genuine insight into delivery quality and learner performance across all sites and programmes.
Clear, consistent employer-facing views have improved collaboration with a wide range of employer partners, from large corporates to smaller independent businesses.
Strategic Flexibility
GTG has successfully aligned the way it uses ePortfolio (Smart Assessor) across Scottish framework, English standards, and Welsh learners, reducing duplication and confusion.
The LMS (PICS) integration has streamlined enrolment and data flows for English provision, with the Scottish migration underway to complete the picture.
GTG is moving towards a fully consolidated data environment where ePortfolio (Smart Assessor), LMS (PICS) and external awarding body data all connect. It will eliminate the manual reconciliation that previously consumed significant staff time.
Efficiency Gains
Integration with LMS (PICS) means learner data populates ePortfolio (Smart Assessor) automatically, removing the need for manual upload processes.
Management can view progress, attendance, and risk data for any learner across any location from a single system, something that was simply not possible before.
The programme risk reporting and data infrastructure built on top of ePortfolio (Smart Assessor) has directly supported GTG’s preparation for Ofsted inspection.
Customer Perspective
As the MI (Data) Manager at GTG, Ursula Christie is the primary system administrator for ePortfolio (Smart Assessor), leads on reporting, and builds and maintains data tools and trackers used throughout the business.
On why GTG chose ePortfolio (Smart Assesor):
“We needed a platform with a degree of flexibility and ePortfolio (Smart Assessor) fitted that bill… we could build our own aims, and we had some flexibility there. And the data visibility, it was miles better from what we had before.”
On data and quality assurance:
“We can see if there are gaps for a particular unit, where clearly learners missed delivery or maybe it was a weak delivery. And SVLE result data has been very helpful for pinpointing where our tests weren’t robust enough. That sort of thing’s been absolutely invaluable.”
On the integration with LMS (PICS):
“It has made our lives a lot, lot easier, that integration piece. The integration with Assessment and Learning (bksb) is helpful too.”
Why ePortfolio (Smart Assessor) Stands Out
Versus Competitors:
During the selection process, GTG evaluated a range of alternative systems. While some offered similar core functionality, ePortfolio (Smart Assessor) was selected for its flexibility in supporting GTG’s multi-framework, multi-site requirements. This included the ability to build custom aims and structure provision in line with their delivery model. Other platforms lacked the necessary configurability or were not suited to managing both Scottish frameworks and English standards on the same system.
Long-Term Value:
- Continued development: GTG works closely with OneAdvanced Education, attending sprint reviews and helping shape the Apprenticeship Management experience to meet operational needs.
- Partnership approach: The relationship is collaborative and responsive, with GTG’s feedback influencing product direction.
- Embedded in operations: As Ursula notes, ePortfolio (Smart Assessor) is central to managing provision – from enrolment through to assessment readiness – underpinning quality and compliance reporting.
Moving Forward
GTG continues to expand and consolidate its use of OneAdvanced Education’s platform, including migrating its Scottish provision into LMS (PICS) to create a fully integrated, single source of truth across all regions and frameworks. The organisation is also considering transitioning to the new Apprenticeship Management experience, with a focus on ensuring delivery staff – particularly instructors managing large in-centre cohorts – have the improved functionality they need before going live. Alongside this, Ursula continues to work closely with the product team through sprint reviews and direct feedback, actively shaping how the system evolves to meet the needs of complex, multi-site training providers.
Read the full case study to see how GTG is driving efficiency, improving visibility and creating a more connected approach to apprenticeship delivery.
Powering Training Excellence with Integrated Solutions
With powerful integrations and AI-embedded intelligence, the OneAdvanced Education portfolio drives efficient, end-to-end apprenticeship and training delivery, helping providers streamline operations, ensure compliance, stay inspection-ready, and enhance the learner experien
ePortfolio
Smart Assessor
Enhance apprenticeship success and empower educators with transparent tracking and market-leading solutions, ensuring exceptional delivery and maximised learner achievement at every stage.
- Evidence libraries
- Reporting and dashboards
- Review planning & feedback
- Off-the-job time recording
- Smart rooms
Learner Management System (LMS)
PICS
Centralising data boosts performance and tracks funds effortlessly with our digital solution, by recording ILR data through compliant capture and built-in validations to achieve authoritative improvements and streamline processes.
- Applicants and onboarding
- Digital forms and paperwork
- Funding management
- Reporting
- Employer management
About the author
OneAdvanced PR
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Our dedicated press team is committed to delivering thought leadership, insightful market analysis, and timely updates to keep you informed. We uncover trends, share expert perspectives, and provide in-depth commentary on the latest developments for the sectors that we serve. Whether it’s breaking news, comprehensive reports, or forward-thinking strategies, our goal is to provide valuable insights that inform, inspire, and help you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
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