ADSA: streamlining training and accreditation with Totara

The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) provides members with access to leading industry accreditation, training, and education. Its Installer Card Scheme operates alongside the Construction Safety Certification Scheme (CSCS), ensuring that only accredited installers are authorised to sign off powered pedestrian doors.

ADSA’s courses promote the highest standards of knowledge and competence across the powered pedestrian door industry. To support this mission, ADSA worked with Cortexa to implement a Totara-based platform that integrates all training, examinations, and re-certification processes into one accessible system.

The challenge

Before upgrading to Totara in the summer of 2024, ADSA had been using a custom-built LMS solution for more than seven years. While this system supported online training delivery, examinations were managed through a third-party platform, and classroom training remained largely offline.

Final assessments were conducted at ADSA’s premises using locked-down iPads. Remote learners could access the same tests, but only by downloading a dedicated app. Although the system worked, it was expensive, inflexible, and lacked integration with the LMS, resulting in a disjointed user experience.

The administration of training was becoming increasingly complex and time-consuming. Certification renewals relied on manual processes, including tracking classroom attendance, sending email reminders, and re-enrolling users for re-certification courses. These workarounds limited ADSA’s ability to expand its offerings, despite the high engagement from learners across the industry.

ADSA needed a flexible and contemporary platform that could streamline administrative tasks, reduce costs, and maintain its high standards of accreditation for more than 500 organisations and 6,750 individual installers.

The solution

Following a detailed consultation with Cortexa, ADSA adopted an extended enterprise Totara platform to unify training delivery, examinations, and re-certification. This new system created a continuous training and qualification cycle, supporting safety and compliance across the powered door industry.

The implementation began with the design of an integrated assessment system using Totara’s question bank feature. This allowed ADSA to create a single blended exam combining mandatory and randomised content from multiple question banks. For example, Section 1 contained compulsory questions, while other sections drew randomised questions from topics such as sliding doors, swing doors, and control systems.

Each exam is time-limited to one hour and allows only a single attempt. Once functionality was finalised, the exam interface was styled to meet ADSA’s branding requirements before launch.

The new Totara assessment system records every learner’s results, enabling ADSA to issue Accredited Installer Cards with full confidence. These cards confirm qualifications such as BS EN 16005 and CSCS accreditation, proving that installers meet the standards required to work safely on site.

After completing their initial training, learners automatically enter a three-year cycle of recall and re-certification. The system prompts installers to complete an online six-module refresher course, followed by a timed re-assessment. Successful completion triggers the reissue of qualification documents, maintaining industry-wide compliance and safety.

Accessibility was another key enhancement. Based on learner feedback, ADSA added a Userway accessibility plugin to support individuals with visual impairments and dyslexia. This feature allows users to adjust contrast, font type, and text size directly from the interface. The positive response from learners led to the permanent inclusion of this accessibility option.

Following the success of the new Totara process, ADSA replicated the system for its BS EN 17352 training, which focuses on power-operated pedestrian entrance control equipment such as turnstiles and swing lanes.

The result

By consolidating training and assessment within Totara, ADSA has eliminated reliance on costly third-party platforms, simplifying management and saving approximately £8,000 per year. Reporting is now centralised, enabling the association to track online training and examination results from a single platform.

The automated process now drives an ongoing cycle of training, assessment, and re-certification, ensuring that standards remain consistent and that qualifications are renewed on time. The platform also supports accessibility needs, reinforcing ADSA’s commitment to inclusive learning for all participants.

Since the Totara Academy launch, 910 installers have completed nearly 1,900 accredited courses, including 600 who achieved or renewed their BS EN 16005 accreditation. Additionally, over 250 CSCS cards have been issued.

The new system has improved the presentation of learning content, provided reasonable adjustments for learners with accessibility needs, and enabled technical examinations to be run online. It has created a modern and interactive platform that encourages engagement and supports a fully automated re-certification process.

In summary, the new Totara process and functionality has:

• Improved presentation of learning content.
• Accommodated learners requiring reasonable adjustments to improve their learning experience.
• Provided the ability to run technical examinations online.
• Produced a modern and more interactive platform that encourages engagement.
• Engaged a fully automated training and re-certification processes.