A Custom Learndash LMS for Chartered Trading Standards Institute
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is a trade association that represents and trains professionals working across various industries and disciplines, including regulatory and legal frameworks, food hygiene, and animal welfare. They work with those in local authorities, central government, and business sectors across the country.
High-profile organisations like CTSI need an advanced, capable learning management system to cater for their learners. That’s why CTSI commissioned Discover eLearning to replace their outdated online learning environment. The new LMS needed to be:
- Highly intuitive for a range of users, from learners to administrators.
- Capable of incorporating existing SCORM packages and other multimedia learning content.
- Able to blend seamlessly with CTSI’s existing website and branding.
- Mobile-friendly, with the same functionality across mobile and desktop sites.
- Feature-rich for optimal user experience.

Using extensions, enhanced features, and bespoke development, Discover eLearning created a bespoke WordPress-based LMS fit for all CTSI’s future online learning delivery strategy.
Combining a bespoke platform with third-party plugins for a feature-rich experience
The Discover eLearning team consulted with CTSI to find out how their LMS should look and feel. Armed with our experience of using LearnDash to create fully bespoke LMS systems, we were confident we could create a purpose-built solution that met all their needs.
To this end, we used the following to build CTSI’s slick, scalable LMS:
Other third-party plugins and extensions to expand the functionality and usability of the LMS.The use of a design framework and a clear focus on digital pedagogy ensured that the programme was delivered on time and in line with Middlesbrough College’s requirements and expectations on quality. This was imperative, as each module of the programme needed to be prepared and ready to welcome students on a bi-monthly basis.
LearnDash, a WordPress-based LMS platform that allows for maximum customisation and scalability.
Uncanny Groups and Toolkit, a third-party plugin that enabled us to include specific features required by CTSI.
Tin Canny Reporting, a tool that allows users to see and export relevant reports.

Training workshops ensure user confidence and capability
Switching to a new LMS can be daunting. So we held a training workshop with CTSI to make sure their education and training staff felt confident and comfortable using the new platform shortly before launch.
CTSI’s bespoke LMS has now officially launched with 260 learners invited to use the platform initially. As more learners enrol, the updated platform can scale up affordably, making growth for future cohorts and additional online learning course delivery effortless.

CTSI recently invited users to submit their feedback on the new LMS platform version anonymously.
“The system is more user-friendly and the screen can be easily expanded, which is helpful for those with poor eyesight.”
“The system remembers where the user left off in a unit, allowing them to pick up where they left off.”
“The note-taking element on the new system is useful and appreciated.”
“Users desire the ability to start from any lesson, such as lesson 3, instead of having to work through the content chronologically.”