How to Build an L&D Function Without Hiring a Full-Time Team (and why you probably don’t need one anyway)

 

How to Build an L&D Function Without Hiring a Full-Time Team

(And why you probably don’t need one)

Here’s something a lot of smaller organisations feel, but don’t always say out loud:

“We know our people need proper training, but we just don’t have the time, money or internal expertise to build a whole Learning and Development department.”

It’s understandable. You’re running a growing business, a stretched public service, or a community-focused charity. There’s safeguarding to keep on top of, compliance deadlines creeping in, new starters needing induction... and somehow, “learning strategy” never makes it off the to-do list.

And yet, deep down, you know that without a way to support learning and development, things get patchy. Knowledge gaps widen. People plateau. Risk creeps in.

The good news? There’s another way. You can have an L&D function—without hiring one.

 

Rethinking the Department You Don’t Have (Yet)

This is where models like Training Manager as a Service (TMaaS) come in. At first glance, it sounds like consultancy-speak. But underneath it’s really quite simple: you borrow the bits of a learning department you need—when you need them.

And increasingly, companies like Management Solutions and Training Ltd (MST) are helping organisations do just that.

It’s not about replacing what you already do. It’s about gently building the kind of structure and support that helps your people learn consistently, your compliance stay watertight, and your leaders focus on the day job.

 

So, What Does That Actually Mean?

It means you don’t need to figure out:

• What platform to use
• What to put in your induction
• How to track CPD
• Or how to explain training outcomes to the board

Because someone else does it with you. You get a structured service that might include:

• A branded online learning system (Moodle, TalentLMS or something similar)
• Ready-made courses tailored to your sector—safeguarding, health & safety, resilience, data protection
• Space for custom modules that reflect your policies and values
• Learner dashboards so you can actually see what’s happening
• Simple progress reports to keep everyone in the loop
• One-to-one strategic advice when you need to plan or pivot

All of it, without hiring a permanent team—or getting bogged down in jargon.

 

What It Might Look Like in Real Life

Let’s say you run a 25-person organisation. You’ve had a few new starters. One of your managers needs leadership development. Your funders are asking about compliance. And there's a whisper that the regulator might check training records next quarter.

Here’s how MST’s TMaaS model might work:

1. Kick-off conversation – A short, informal chat to map out where things stand and what you actually need (not what a template says you should have).
2. Platform setup – MST helps you choose the right LMS and gets it running with your branding, user logins, categories, and tracking tools.
3. Training aligned – Off-the-shelf courses are matched to your needs; bespoke sessions created where needed.
4. Onboarding – Your staff get access, guidance, and real-life support—not just a login screen.
5. Ongoing rhythm – Monthly updates, usage reports, strategy reviews if you want them. Nothing more, nothing less.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a steady, human partnership that grows with you.

 

The Real Value (Beyond Just Ticking Boxes)

Yes, it’s about compliance. But it’s also about confidence—knowing that your people are supported, your processes are defensible, and your organisation is building internal capacity over time.

This model makes learning:

• Visible – no more wondering who’s done what
• Trackable – so you can show progress, not just intentions
• Flexible – changing with your priorities, season to season
• Affordable – without the costs (or stress) of building everything from scratch

And the best bit? You still feel in control—but you’re no longer carrying all the weight.

 

For Those Who Think They Can’t Have an L&D Department

You actually can. It just doesn’t have to look the way big corporates do it.

The MST team knows what it’s like to work in environments where learning isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. Crisis response. Compliance audits. Community safeguarding. That background has shaped the way they support clients: with clarity, realism, and a sharp eye on outcomes.

They don’t just drop in a platform and walk away. They stay connected. They care about what works. And they help you build something solid—quietly, steadily, and without disruption.

 

Thinking About It?

Maybe you’re not quite ready to commit. That’s fine. But if you’ve been wondering whether it’s even possible to give your staff a proper learning framework—without blowing the budget or hiring a full-time team—it might be worth a short, pressure-free chat.

No sales pitch. No slick slide deck. Just a conversation.

Because it turns out, having a credible L&D function might be closer than you think.

  

Andre Regan

Management Solutions & Training Ltd

 For more information and advice, contact 

Management Solutions and Training Ltd @ general.enquiries.mst@gmail.com