Empowering 5000 employees: How GVB integrated learning and operations with Moodle Workplace

January 14, 2025 By Barnana Sarkar

For over a century, GVB has been the backbone of Amsterdam’s public transport network, seamlessly connecting the city with its metro, tram, bus, and ferry services. Serving more than 20 million passengers every month, GVB plays a vital role in keeping Amsterdam on the move. But beyond its commitment to the city’s travelers, GVB is equally dedicated to its people. With a workforce of approximately 5,000 employees, including temporary workers and externals, GVB stands out as one of Amsterdam’s largest and most admired employers—recognized among the city’s top five.

Inclusivity and employee satisfaction are cornerstones of GVB’s values. They strive to create a workplace where every team member feels welcome and supported, reflecting their commitment to being accessible to everyone. Yet, with such a large and diverse team spread across multiple roles and locations, the challenge of managing employee development and operational efficiency was becoming increasingly complex.

That’s when GVB turned to Moodle Workplace. What began as a search for a solution to streamline learning, compliance, and collaboration quickly evolved into a transformative partnership—empowering GVB to create a more efficient and effective workplace for its people.

This is the story of how Moodle Workplace helped GVB build stronger connections, drive engagement, and ensure that its values as a great employer shine through every aspect of its organization.

The solution

To bring their vision of a fully integrated learning ecosystem to life, GVB worked hand-in-hand with Moodle Premium Partner Avetica to set up Moodle Workplace. This involved not just technical integrations but also tailoring the platform’s features to fit GVB’s unique needs. Processes such as logging in, tracking progress, and generating reports were embedded into the learning environment, with a strong focus on automation to reduce administrative effort and enhance efficiency.

For instance, dynamic rules were introduced to automate training assignments. If an employee in the “Feathers” department needed specific certifications, Moodle Workplace could automatically assign the required training and notify the employee. Additionally, when certification was about to expire, the system proactively informed the relevant user, ensuring compliance without the need for manual oversight.

The result

A seamless process where, for example, a new tram driver logs in with their GVB account and immediately sees their onboarding course and the training required for operating specific lines. Once completed, the planning department is instantly updated and ready to deploy the driver where they are needed most—creating a direct link between learning and operational efficiency.

As Hub Pluijmen, Trainer and LMS Specialist at GVB, explains:

“A longstanding partnership with Avetica has paid off at GVB, the city transport operator in Amsterdam, leading to a new impetus with the introduction of Moodle as an LMS for the professional training of the operational departments: Tram, Bus, Metro, and Ferries.”

Hub emphasises how the introduction of Moodle Workplace enabled GVB to implement a robust company-wide solution:

“eLearning modules, combined with practical and simulator training, now form the backbone of blended courses. The ability to track certifications linked to training programs, compile reports independently, set up dynamic processes, and build an organisational structure within the LMS are features that make Moodle Workplace a true all-rounder. These tools not only support but also enhance our business processes, making them more efficient and effective.”

This thoughtful integration of technology and learning design empowered GVB to transform its training programs into a scalable and impactful solution, aligning with its vision of being a great employer while meeting the operational demands of Amsterdam’s public transport network.

Learn more about Moodle Premium Partner Avetica.