Over the past few blog posts, we've shared updates about the future CIS Learning Center, highlighted ways to prepare for the transition, and discussed some of the exciting new capabilities coming with our move to Docebo.

Today, we'd like to focus on one area that may require action sooner rather than later: learning plans.

Many CIS Learning Center members begin new learning plans in January and February each year. For organizations that use learning plans as part of onboarding, compliance, safety programs, leadership development, or annual training initiatives, now is the time to think carefully about what needs to happen during the first half of 2027.

Why This Matters

One important thing to understand is that learning plans will not transfer from the current system into the new platform.

While training completion records will move according to our migration plan, learning plans themselves must be rebuilt and launched fresh in the new CIS Learning Center.

This means that if a learning plan is assigned in January 2027 and includes courses that are intended to be completed throughout the spring or summer, participants may not be able to finish that plan in the current system before they are transitioned to the new one.

For example, a learning plan assigned in January with 20 courses due in October may create challenges if learners move to the new system before the plan is completed. The learning plan structure itself will not transfer, and learners will no longer complete training assignments in the previous platform once their organization has moved to the new Learning Center.

Start With a Simple Question

As you review your plans for early 2027, ask yourself:

What training absolutely must be completed in January and February?

Those are the courses that should be assigned through the current Learning Center.

For everything else, it may make more sense to wait and build those assignments in the new system instead.

Depending on your needs, this could mean:

• Splitting existing learning plans into smaller segments

• Assigning only the portion that must be completed early in the year

• Delaying certain training initiatives until after your organization transitions

• Creating entirely new learning plans in the new platform

Every organization's training schedule is different, which is why we're encouraging members to begin evaluating these decisions now.

Review Every Learning Plan

If your organization currently uses learning plans, we strongly encourage you to review every active and planned learning plan for the remainder of 2026 and the first half of 2027.

As you evaluate each plan, consider the following:

• Is this training required before the transition?

• Can portions of the plan wait until after migration?

• Should the plan be broken into smaller phases?

• Will new learning opportunities available in the new platform affect your training strategy?

The sooner these decisions are made, the easier it will be to support a smooth transition.

Share Your Plans With Us

Once you've reviewed your needs, please reach out to us at learn@cisoregon.org.

In addition to our implementation work, we're also planning how to best support members' training needs during the transition period. Understanding your learning plan schedule helps us ensure that the training your employees need between now and migration remains available and accessible.

The more we know about your plans, the better we can help.

Looking Ahead to the New System

One of the features we're most excited about in the new Learning Center is the expanded flexibility of learning plans.

Organization administrators will be able to create, edit, and maintain their own learning plans, giving members significantly more control over how training is delivered and managed.

Because of these new capabilities, we strongly recommend that the earliest learning plan assignments in the new system begin in April 2027 whenever possible.

This timing would allow administrators to:

• Receive training on the new platform during March

• Learn how learning plans work in the new environment

• Build and test their plans

• Take advantage of new automation and assignment options

• Launch training with greater confidence

Of course, our team will be available to assist throughout the process. However, one of the biggest benefits of the new Learning Center is empowering members to manage their own learning programs. We want administrators to have adequate time to become comfortable with these new tools before launching important training initiatives.

Final Thoughts

The transition to a new learning platform creates tremendous opportunities, but it also requires some planning.

If your organization uses learning plans, now is the time to determine what training needs to happen before migration and what can wait until afterward. A little planning today can prevent unnecessary rework later and help ensure employees have a seamless learning experience throughout the transition.

Together, we're building the next generation of the CIS Learning Center.

Subscribe to this blog for updates, member feedback opportunities, and transition resources as we work to make learning more accessible, flexible, and valuable for Oregon's cities and counties. Questions? Email us at learn@cisoregon.org.