GEM Compliance Training is a UK-based training provider with a vision that’s as bold as it is practical: “A world where there are no barriers to saving lives.”
From construction sites to classrooms, GEM equips people across industries with the knowledge and confidence to act when it matters most. Their Health & Safety and First Aid courses aren’t just about compliance – they’re about preparing real people for real emergencies. As part of this mission, GEM also delivers free awareness sessions to charities and community groups, ensuring safety training reaches those who need it most.
GEM’s Managing Director Gavin Milligan operates the business with an emphasis on people: supporting his team, building trust, and creating an environment where collaboration leads to impact.
“I want to ensure that the main focus of the company is on people. My open-door approach means everyone has a voice and decisions are made with the whole team in mind,” says Gavin. “This trust and collaboration behind the scenes is what allows us to offer the same kind of support to our customers – the type of support that is practical, personal and genuinely caring.”
Outgrowing spreadsheets and Cademy
Like many growing providers, GEM initially relied on spreadsheets and manual processes to manage bookings. But as demand increased, the team needed a more robust system to scale, while still offering the personal, high-quality experience their learners expected.
They turned to Cademy, a lightweight training management tool. While it helped bridge the gap temporarily, it quickly became clear that Cademy’s limitations were holding the business back.
“Nothing gelled together with Cademy,” says Gavin. “Things were under development, the CRM was weak, and it just wasn’t capable of managing our customer base the way we needed.”
Security was another concern. For a business handling sensitive learner data, having confidence in PCI-DSS and SOC2 compliance was non-negotiable. Cademy couldn’t provide that reassurance – but Arlo could. With strong recommendations from other training providers, GEM made the switch to Arlo.
Arlo – an all-in-one solution for operations, growth and blended learning
Arlo met all of GEM’s requirements for a comprehensive CRM, all-in-one training management system and robust security.
Learners enjoy a smooth booking experience, while behind the scenes, automated communications and reporting save GEM hours of manual admin. The visibility into bookings and learner progress means the team can confidently manage growth.
“With Arlo, it’s almost like we’ve added another administrator to the team,” says Gavin. “It’s streamlined our processes, given us peace of mind, and freed us up to focus on growth.”
But what really stood out was Arlo’s ability to manage their face-to-face, live-online, and blended learning – all in one place.
GEM is already seeing the benefits of Arlo’s built-in elearning functionality. By embedding video modules and multiple-choice assessments alongside live courses, they’re able to give learners flexibility while reinforcing key skills.
“Having a platform that promotes both online and face-to-face training equally has been a game changer,” says Gavin.
The team now runs their blended First Aid training seamlessly on Arlo, combining pre-recorded videos with knowledge checks and live sessions. The result is a better learner experience and a stronger ability to showcase GEM’s unique blended approach online.
The approach not only enhances learner outcomes but also opens doors for GEM to expand its course offering in the future, tapping into new audiences and revenue streams.
For Gavin and his team, the shift from Cademy to Arlo wasn’t just about fixing limitations – it was about building a foundation for sustainable growth.
Asked what he would say to other providers still struggling with spreadsheets or lightweight systems, Gavin is direct:
“Look no further if you want a more rounded online solution. Don’t juggle spreadsheets and multiple platforms. There are very few companies that offer a one-stop solution like Arlo does – Arlo will support your business across every area.”
With streamlined operations, a stronger CRM, and the ability to deliver blended learning at scale, GEM is set up to continue expanding its reach.
For a company built on removing barriers to saving lives, that means more people trained, more workplaces protected, and more communities equipped with the skills that make the difference when it matters most.
“What drives me is seeing GEM grow, watching people step up to challenges, and knowing we’re all learning and improving together”, says Gavin. “There’s no better feeling than ending the day knowing we’ve given it our all and made progress, not just for the business, but for our learners and wider community. That’s the buzz.”
