{"id":66641,"date":"2025-04-21T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/customer-stories\/wco-elevates-customs-online-training-on-a-global-scale\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T13:24:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T13:24:27","slug":"wco-elevates-customs-online-training-on-a-global-scale","status":"publish","type":"customer-story","link":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/us\/customer-stories\/wco-elevates-customs-online-training-on-a-global-scale\/","title":{"rendered":"WCO elevates Customs online training on a global scale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

<\/h3>\n

\"\"The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an independent intergovernmental body dedicated to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Customs administrations. Representing 186 Customs authorities and managing approximately 98% of global trade, the WCO sets international standards, fosters cooperation, and builds capacity to facilitate legitimate trade, ensure fair revenue collection, and protect society.<\/p>\n

The Challenge<\/h3>\n

WCO needed to meet two distinct but interconnected learning needs:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Deliver high-quality, free online training to Customs officials from its Member administrations through its CLiKC! platform.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Simultaneously sell online training to private sector professionals and academic institutions via the WCO Academy.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The challenge was to deliver both from a single learning environment\u2014while ensuring that security-sensitive, enforcement-related courses remained accessible only to authorized Customs officers.<\/p>\n

    A shared backend was essential. It reduced administrative burden while maintaining strict security protocols. The system needed to intelligently manage access rights, so enforcement content remained restricted, while still providing a smooth and cohesive learning experience for all users.<\/p>\n

    The Solution<\/h3>\n

    To meet these challenges, WCO needed a cost-effective, scalable solution that ensured uninterrupted learning for Members while unlocking a revenue-generating model for the private sector and academia\u2014all within a unified ecosystem.<\/p>\n

    To bridge the gap between internal and external training, UP learning implemented a dual-environment system that integrated Totara (CLiKC!) and WordPress-WooCommerce (WCO Academy) into a seamless, centralized solution. This allowed Customs officers to continue their structured online training, while offering the private sector and academia an intuitive e-commerce experience.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Multi-tenant Totara for WCO Members<\/strong><\/p>\n

    For Members, UP learning delivered a multi-tenant Totara instance, enabling each administration to have its own dedicated learning space within a shared structure. This preserved centralized governance while giving local teams the flexibility to manage their own content.<\/p>\n

    In 2024, a pilot was launched with one Member administration. The impact was immediate\u2014active learners surged from 250 to nearly 3,000. Within months, 30 online courses were made available in that tenant space. The administration also reported significant expected cost savings by shifting more training to a blended format, reducing the need for on-site delivery.<\/p>\n

    \"Active<\/p>\n

    E-Commerce Integration for Commercial Learning<\/strong><\/p>\n

    On the commercial side, integrating a WordPress-WooCommerce storefront revolutionized WCO\u2019s training delivery. Courses could be selectively synced from Totara to the WCO Academy catalog, allowing users to browse, purchase, and begin training with minimal friction.<\/p>\n

    The system supported:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      Single course purchases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Bundled packages<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Subscription-based access<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Bulk purchasing for companies with learner assignment tools<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \"Course<\/p>\n

      Automated Enrollment and Payments<\/strong><\/p>\n

      A key feature was the full automation of the enrollment and payment process. With Stripe integration, users could register, pay, and gain access to their course instantly. A secure SSO connection with CLiKC! ensured that learners were enrolled in the right course without manual intervention. Academy users were granted limited access, ensuring enforcement-related content remained exclusive to Customs officers.<\/p>\n

      Seamless Integration with No Disruption<\/strong><\/p>\n

      What made the solution especially effective was its ability to maintain the integrity of WCO\u2019s learning infrastructure. The addition of the e-commerce layer did not disrupt existing training for Members\u2014instead, it extended WCO\u2019s reach to new audiences without compromising security or usability.<\/p>\n

      The Results<\/h3>\n

      WCO has successfully transformed its digital learning strategy into a future-proof, integrated model that serves both public and private audiences.<\/p>\n

      Quote from a Customs and Trade Compliance Consultant:<\/strong>
      \u201cInvesting in knowledge is investing in success. The WCO Academy empowers professionals with the skills and confidence to navigate the complexities of global trade while staying fully compliant.\u201d<\/p>\n

      For Members<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        Scalable, multilingual platform with dedicated learning spaces<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Offline mobile learning via a custom-branded Totara app (5,043 downloads to date)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Dramatic growth in engagement during pilot: from 250 to 3,000+ active users<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        30 courses launched in the pilot tenant<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Blended learning adoption expected to reduce on-site training costs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \"Active<\/p>\n

        For the Private Sector & Academia<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          Fully automated course purchasing and enrollment<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Flexible purchase options: single, bundle, subscription, or bulk<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Seamless learner experience through integrated e-commerce and SSO<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Enhanced revenue generation through a streamlined commercial offering<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Cumulative Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • \n

            170,895 total course completions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            5,043 Totara app downloads<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            Representing 186 Customs administrations, covering 98% of global trade<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            \"Completed<\/p>\n

            The WCO now leads the way in digital Customs training\u2014delivering secure, scalable, and multilingual learning to its Members, while opening up new opportunities for the global trade community through commercial learning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n

            \n
            \n
            \u201cI encourage all Customs officers to take advantage of the flexibility offered by CLiKC!, allowing them to learn conveniently and at their own pace. Upon completing each course and passing the final assessment, participants receive a personalized certificate signed by the WCO Secretary General.\u201d\n<\/blockquote>\n
            \n
            \n East African Revenue Authority,<\/strong>\n
            \n Senior Customs Officer <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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