AU/NZ network looks to US giant for cutting-edge education

An Australian-first, exclusive agreement has been signed between a real estate giant and global learning management system Northpass.

This article was originally featured in Real Estate Business

Taking a leaf out of the book of US-based real estate tech giant Compass, LJ Hooker has revealed the exclusive new learning and development platform for its staff, to be known as Lighthouse.

Northpass’ learning management system (LMS) is already in use by Compass, as well as the likes of Shopify and Uber.

According to LJ Hooker, the state-of-the-art platform will be accessible to all LJ Hooker, Atlas by LJ Hooker and Harveys teams across Australia and New Zealand.

It’s set to provide employees with “an array of new, comprehensive coaching and training resources, featuring live streamed and on-demand courses to support its teams’ performance and growth”.

For business owners, it will reportedly also support best practice office operations to drive profitability.

LJ Hooker has noted that the new agreement signals Northpass’ launch across Australia and New Zealand – and was the result of “a global search to bring onboard a fit-for-purpose platform that is used by the world’s most innovative brands to give our networks a competitive edge in their learning and development”, according to the company’s acting chief executive and chief performance officer Christine Mikhael.

“We’re dedicated to supporting and providing our business owners, agents, property managers and their teams across our networks, with the very best coaching and training resources in the industry so they can continue to grow.”

The name Lighthouse harks back to LJ Hooker’s history, inspired by the group’s former Sydney digs on the corner of Pitt Street and Martin Place.

Housing LJ Hooker headquarters through the 1930s and 1940s, Ms Mikhael explained: “This building was nicknamed ‘Lighthouse’ because it was here that the team found team found themselves working late most evenings in the basement of the building, planning what went on to be our rich history in real estate and property development.”

She explained that the Lighthouse learning and development system had been designed to empower team members “to be in control of their development and growth”.

Specifically developed for mobile devices for access anytime and anywhere, the real estate group has also revealed that the platform’s features include an ability to map and achieve CPD requirements, earn certifications, track learning history, and provide specific industry focus and role learning paths.

Northpass founder and CEO Stephen Cornwell has weighed in, arguing that by making its learning program more accessible, the group is enabling its people to unlock all-new areas of growth.

He commented: “On behalf of the entire Northpass team, we’re excited for the launch of Lighthouse by the LJ Hooker Group.

“We look forward to continued success and helping the LJ Hooker Group continue to innovate upon its learning-powered initiatives in 2022 and beyond.”