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Catalyst Learning Company (CLC) was founded as a distance learning company named Hospitality TV (HTV) in 1993. Educational content was delivered via satellite to clients such as Outback Steakhouse, The Olive Garden, Marriott Hotels, the National Restaurant Association and the American Culinary Federation. During this time, Catalyst Learning also developed its first public-private partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges to create National Video Communications Network (NVC), a national satellite network using colleges as downlink sites.
The Company began testing the School at Work® (SAW) model in Kentucky in 1998 via an alliance with Louisville’s Jefferson Community & Technical College. SAW is a career development system that addresses the unique challenges of entry-level employees. Success in these trials demonstrated that with strong employer support, distance learning could produce solid educational and engagement outcomes for low-wage workers. The success of the Kentucky project set the stage for receipt of a 2002 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor that provided seed capital to customize an employer-centered healthcare curriculum, begin collaborations with the public workforce system, and develop what has become a national customer base. CLC’s academic partner in development of the healthcare curriculum was Anne Arundel Community College of Maryland.
The name change to Catalyst Learning occurred in 2003; the same year the Company began increasing its focus on serving the healthcare industry. In 2005 CLC completed a successful transition from the SAW grant-funded pilot to financial self-sufficiency – a rare feat as far as we know!
The SAW customer base has grown from 28 hospitals in 2002 to almost 500 in 2011 - this is an incredible group of organizations that are the most progressive, people-oriented employers in the industry. In response to increasing customer interest in “growing their own” employees, CLC introduced CareerCare® in 2009. Important milestones reached in 2010 were the release of SAW2.0 and enrollment of the 10,000th SAW student at the University of Missouri Healthcare System.
In 2011, CLC is focused on helping its customers navigate the changes brought on by healthcare reform, touching a broader group of employees to develop the workforce and increase patient satisfaction. A principal element of this strategy is the release of ECHO2.0, a career development system for mid-level employees, in October.
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