In the early days of ePortfolios, systems were often little more than digital filing cabinets, separate repositories where documents could be uploaded as evidence. Over time, those systems evolved to allow assessors to review and approve submissions, before eventually linking evidence to specific learning activities and competencies; and as the industry matured, so did eCom’s thinking.

“ Rather than treating learning, assessment, evidence, and competency management as separate processes, we believed they should work together as part of one connected journey. ”

That thinking helped shape the development of eNetEnterprise - an integrated platform designed to deliver structured programmes of work, where activities, evidence, and competencies are all aligned to the skills required for a particular role.

But developments like this don’t happen in isolation and much of eCom’s innovation has come through long-term collaboration with clients and industry peers. One significant example was a partnership with a large utility company, where eCom spent more than a decade helping develop a competency model built around real working practices and operational needs. What began as a programme supporting around 400 apprentices proved so effective that it was eventually expanded across the organisation’s wider workforce.

Projects like this allowed the eCom team to develop strong expertise not only in competency management technology, but also in writing competency frameworks and statements that genuinely reflected workplace capability.

That expertise also opened doors internationally; and during this period, eCom’s founder Linda Steedman, was invited to join the leadership team developing a new competency standard for the IEEE - creating opportunities to collaborate with global experts and build relationships across the wider learning and assessment community. One of those relationships led to a close partnership with Dennis Green of Southarm Training in Canada, helping further shape eCom’s thinking and product development.

“ Today, the latest version of eNetEnterprise reflects decades of collaboration, research, and practical experience, supporting organisations whose focus is not only learning delivery, but also skills development, workforce capability, and achieving long-term business goals. ”

What started for eCom as a focus on protecting evidence has evolved into something much bigger - helping organisations understand, develop, and recognise the skills their people need to succeed.

The eCom journey through the years: Some of the eCom team working together discussing new ideas and solutions.