San Diego Zoo Global Academy Wins Best Certification from Brandon Hall Group

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
CONTACT:  SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
PUBLIC RELATIONS
619-685-3291

The San Diego Zoo Global Academy, an online resource for animal care professionals, won a coveted Brandon Hall Group award for excellence in the Certification category.  The Academy, which was launched in 2012, is a new way for professionals working at zoological organizations around the world to learn best practices from leaders in the field.  

"The efforts of the San Diego Zoo Global Academy enable online animal care training to be available to animal care professionals,” said Jon Prange, director of the San Diego Zoo Global Academy. “Certification is a big part of what the Academy provides and we are delighted to receive this award recognizing our efforts."

The San Diego Zoo Global Academy takes knowledge that has traditionally been shared through apprentice-style experiential learning and shares it through an Internet portal. Created by San Diego Zoo Global Academy partners (San Diego Zoo Global and CypherWorx), the portal provides users with an interactive, online learning environment offering more than 300 self-directed courses and recorded webinars.

"I’m honored to recognize this group of elite organizations with phenomenal programs.  The winners truly exemplified excellence around the critical business dimensions across the award categories, including a high standard of performance in their organization, and demonstrated clear, measurable business results through these innovative programs,” said Rachel Cooke, chief operating officer of the Brandon Hall Group. 

The entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group senior analysts and executive leadership based upon the following criteria: fitting the need, the design of the program, and itsfunctionality, innovation and overall measureable benefits. Samples of the award-winning modules can be seen at sdzglobalacademy.org.

Brandon Hall Group is a HCM research and advisory services firm that provides insights around key performance areas, including Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Talent Acquisition and Workforce Management.

With more than 10,000 clients globally and 20 years of delivering world-class research and advisory services, Brandon Hall Group is focused on developing research that drives performance in emerging and large organizations, and provides strategic insights for executives and practitioners responsible for growth and business results. (www.brandonhall.com)

Bringing species back from the brink of extinction is the mission of San Diego Zoo Global. As a leader in conservation, the work of San Diego Zoo Global includes onsite wildlife conservation efforts (representing both plants and animals) at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, as well as international field programs on six continents.  The important conservation and science work of these entities is made possible by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Conservancy and is supported in part by the Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.

Founded in 2007, CypherWorx develops comprehensive e-learning solutions for membership associations, non-profit organizations and small business providers using a unique, collaborative business model that has won praise for its effectiveness and accessibility. Services range from course development to learning management system integration under the NP Training Works™ and CollaborNation brands. For more information, visit www.cypherworx.com.