The best LMS for governments is the one that can deliver stable, secure, and intuitive learning experiences.
The training needs in the public sector are slightly different than in corporate training and higher education.
That’s why, in this guide, you will find a complete comparison between LMS solutions that are a good fit for government organizations.
So, let’s get started!
Disclaimer: The information below is accurate as of March 5, 2024.
- What is an LMS for government?
- Benefits of using a government learning platform
- How to choose the right government learning management system
What is an LMS for government?
An LMS (learning management system) for government is a learning platform designed for the training needs of governments and government organizations. It can manage, deliver, and track online courses, ensuring that government employee training is effective and efficient.
Using an LMS to deliver training in a local or federal government offers several key advantages. Let’s see what they are in the next section.
Benefits of using a government learning platform
One essential thing about governments is they have to watch their spending habits. So, to justify the expense of an LMS platform, there must be some powerful benefits.
Luckily, there are.
1. Centralized training management
Using an LMS platform, it’s possible to centralize the management of training programs across different government departments and levels, such as federal, national, or local governments.
A centralized system allows the delivery of training initiatives to be standardized and consistent.
2. Easier compliance and regulation training
Governmental bodies and agencies very often have rigorous compliance standards and regulatory demands. With an LMS, governments can automate the delivery of compliance training.
Government agencies can ensure they are current on legal, ethical, and procedural requirements by creating a structured framework for creating, delivering, and tracking mandatory training modules.
3. Reduced training costs
Switching to a cloud-based LMS instead of in-person training offers significant cost savings in travel expenses, venue rentals, print materials, etc.
In addition, online training enables economies of scale for the enrollment of large numbers of learners, such as federal employees, simultaneously.
4. Easy access and flexibility
An LMS provides the option of on-demand learning, meaning employees can access training materials anytime and from anywhere. This is especially true if you also enable mobile learning.
Additionally, many LMSs come with accessibility functionalities that can help persons with disabilities to access online learning programs.
5. Easier tracking and reporting
Cloud-based learning platforms typically have robust tracking capabilities built in.
Through various reports and dashboards, LMSs enable better performance management by monitoring learner progress, competition rates, and performance metrics.
These features can facilitate data-driven decision-making and make compliance audits easier.
How to choose the right government learning management system
As we mentioned before, the training requirements of governments differ significantly from the needs of companies and higher education institutions.
Therefore, the considerations for LMS requirements are different. Here’s a brief overview of what to consider when choosing an LMS for government purposes.
Security and compliance
Security is a big issue for any organization but is paramount for governments. Government agencies and bodies often deal with extremely sensitive data, so any digital tool they use has to be secure.
To pick the suitable LMS, look for those compliant with regulatory standards relevant to your organization, such as GDPR, HIPAA, FedRAMP, etc.
Accessibility
The public sector’s services have to be accessible (often by law) to the largest number of people possible. This includes people with disabilities, so a government LMS must be accessible.
There are accessibility standards that you can look out for when picking the LMS, such as the WCAG 2.0 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standard.
Reporting and analytics
A government LMS needs to support robust reporting and analytics features to monitor training effectiveness, compliance, and other metrics.
Therefore, its LMS platform should support customizable reports, real-time data visualizations, and the ability to export this data for further analysis with other tools.
Scalability
When it comes to training in government agencies, it can often involve a lot of people. Whether it’s onboarding new employees or providing leadership development, the LMS needs to be able to handle a large number of concurrent learners.
Additionally, since laws and regulations change, the learning platform should be able to handle quick content updates to follow them.
Great support
Continuity is vital in government services, so you can’t afford long downtimes or bugs that crash entire systems.
That’s why looking for LMSs with good support and maintenance services is crucial. Evaluate the vendor’s support offering, such as helpdesk availability, responsiveness, and service level agreements (SLAs).
Also, consider their track record, reputation, and prior experience with public sector clients.
Now, let’s see our picks for the best government LMSs.
Platform #1: Docebo
Docebo is a cloud-based SaaS LMS offering that government agencies and other government bodies can use to manage, deliver, and track online training.
While private sector organizations also use Docebo, this LMS comes with specific features tailored to the needs of governments.
For instance, the LMS platform includes a complete set of controls implemented according to the ISO 27001 and AICPA/ISAE 3000 SOC 2 & 3 standards, which let you manage the platform, permissions, and data with high safety and security.
In addition to government-focused features such as compliance, recertification, tracking, and reporting, Docebo offers cutting-edge technology such as AI-powered virtual tutors, microlearning, and social learning features.
Overall, Docebo can be an excellent choice for different government use cases, from onboarding to professional development. It’s a scalable, secure platform that can grow with the learner’s needs.
Top features
- AI-powered content authoring tools
- Personalization and white labeling
- Licensable learning content
- Microlearning and mobile learning
- Integrations with HRIS, CRM, webinar, and other platforms
What we think
- There’s a high level of scalability
- We like the security standards certifications
- Consulting services are a plus
Platform #2: Totara Learn
Totara Learn is an LMS platform based on open-source code with high customizability.
The fact that it’s built on open-source technologies makes this training solution a strong candidate for government use.
This is because of the plethora of customization options that users have. As governments typically have particular training needs, being able to change even small details of the platform is a benefit.
Top features
- Customizable learning data
- Deliver training to multiple groups from one instance
- Single sign-on with Microsoft, Google, or Facebook credentials
What we think
- We find it’s very customizable
- Robust reporting capabilities are a good addition to the offering
- Good customer service
Platform #3: Trakstar Learn
Trakstar Learn is a learning management system made by Trakstar, which also offers tools for performance management, applicant tracking, and workplace analytics.
The defining feature of Trakstar is the built-in course creation tool that doesn’t require much design knowledge to operate. That means that anyone in the organization can easily share information with others, preserving institutional knowledge that would otherwise be lost.
Top features
- Gamification
- Course creation
- Automatic course enrollment
What we think
- There’s an accessible overview of course completion
- Customer service is on a good level
- We found it easy to use
Platform #4: Meridian LMS
Meridian LMS is another LMS platform that might interest government organizations.
Meridian focuses on providing a solution for US federal government agencies, so it complies with the FedRAMP standard and other US government security standards.
Another critical feature for governments is that this platform can be used in the cloud or hosted on-premises, depending on the specific security needs of the government agency.
In addition, it also has modern LMS features such as personalization and mobile learning.
Top features
- FedRAMP compliance
- Cloud, private cloud, or on-premises deployment
- Compliance dashboards
What we think
- We found many integration options (Zoom, GoTo Meeting, etc.)
- We liked the user experience
- The tool has a flexible ad-hoc reporting module
Platform #5: Paradiso
Paradiso is an LMS that boasts robust AI-powered capabilities to make learning content production more streamlined and user-friendly.
The platform also has several essential features for governments, such as FedRAMP compliance, compliance reporting, and support for learning paths.
With these features alongside powerful AI capabilities, Paradiso might be a good option for local or state governments looking to modernize their e-learning systems.
Top features
- AI-based course creator
- AI media studio
- CourseHub with 80,000 off-the-shelf courses
What we think
- Cloud or on-premises installation is a great choice to offer
- We liked the FedRAMP compatibility
- The support team based in the USA is a big plus
Platform #6: Topyx
Topyx was one of the first comers to the cloud-based LMS space and is still worthy of consideration today.
Regarding government agencies, Topyx positions itself as a solution for those looking to modernize. With robust social learning features to help engage and increase participation, local, state, and federal government organizations can boost their e-learning.
Top features
- Learning paths
- Social and mobile learning
- Reporting and dashboards for admins
What we think
- We like the single sign-on (SSO) compatibility
- E-commerce integrations are a plus
- We found it’s a very scalable solution
Platform #7: Camu
Camu is an LMS and campus management system that schools, as well as governments, can use.
Camu’s LMS offering supports collaborative learning, an integrated content hub, and a mobile app.
Overall, it’s a modern LMS platform that focuses primarily on K-12 education but can also be used for other applications.
Another specific use for Camu is reporting student and learning data from schools to government institutions such as boards or ministries of education.
Top features
- Content Hub
- Cloud storage system with easy search
- Collaborative learning
What we think
- A unified student information and learning management system is a plus
- We liked the mobile app
- Library and human resources management are included which is a benefit
Platform #8: Gyrus
Gyrus is a 100% cloud-based LMS with AI features and options for data customizations and localization.
Features that interest government bodies include skill-gap analysis which helps find areas where employees could improve. Also, this platform comes with built-in competency rating and skill management capabilities.
Put together, these features can help government agencies and other bodies who are looking to upskill or reskill their workforce.
Top features
- Skill gap analysis
- Skill management
- Competency rating
What we think
- We found the customer service is responsive
- We liked that the content is easy to upload
- Support for self-guided learning is a major plus
Platform #9: PlatCore
PlatCore is an enterprise cloud LMS built on the ServiceNow platform.
PlatCore is a government-focused LMS with several features targeting the public sector. Multiple hosting options (cloud-based or on-premises) exist, and you can deliver training directly from the ServiceNow instance.
It also offers centralized data and reporting capabilities, allowing compliance monitoring, learning progress, and budget tracking.
For those who already use the ServiceNow platform, PlatCore is a logical choice.
Top features
- SCORM-compliance
- Support for blended learning
- Gamification
What we think
- We liked how it integrates with the ServiceNow platform
- Multiple hosting options are a major advantage
- We found their documentation and support are robust
Platform #10: Adobe Learning Manager
Adobe Learning Manager is Adobe’s LMS that’s part of the Experience Cloud offering for enterprises.
Being part of a larger enterprise offering, Adobe Learning Manager can be a great option for organizations already using other Adobe software.
Adobe Learning Manager supports personalized learning with AI recommendations, customized learning paths, and a multi-tenant environment.
Alongside these admin features, learners can benefit from social learning and gamification.
Top features
- Custom domains
- Hybrid classroom support
- Robust analytics
What we think
- We thought the UI was easy to navigate
- It’s part of the Adobe ecosystem, a benefit for those who already use Adobe products
- We liked the recurring certification programs
Empower learners with Docebo
Government training programs require robust features around creating, delivering, managing, and tracking all aspects of the learning process.
On the other hand, governments also want to modernize their legacy systems and take advantage of new technologies such as microlearning, mobile learning, and AI-based virtual tutors.
Docebo is an LMS that fits both of these criteria. It’s built on a solid base of basic requirements such as SCORM compliance and detailed metrics tracking, and it has all the cutting-edge features too.
To talk to one of our experts about what Docebo can do for your government agency or department, schedule a demo today!