Practical Action Academy – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Welcome to the Practical Action Academy FAQ page. Below you’ll find answers to common questions about accessing and using the learning platform.

1. Getting Started

How do I get a login for Practical Action Academy?

Your login details will be provided by your local People and Culture Lead during your induction.

  • Username: Your primary email address
  • Password: Issued during induction (you can change it later)

If you experience issues or have questions not covered here, please contact the Learning and Development Team:

2. Password Management

I forgot my password. How can I reset it?

  1. Go to the main login page.
  2. Click Reset Password.
  3. You’ll receive an automatic email with a link (should be in 20 minutes)

🔹 Need it sooner? Contact the L&D Team using the details above.

How do I change my password?

  1. Log in to Practical Action Academy.
  2. Click your name at the top right of the screen.
  3. Select My Profile from the dropdown.
  4. Click the Change Password tab.

3. Finding and Enrolling in Courses

How do I browse and select available learning courses?

  1. Log in and click the Learning Center tab.
  2. Select Catalog Browser.
  3. Click on Practical Action Catalogue.

You can explore courses in two ways:

  • Sub-Catalogues: Organised by business units, showing relevant internal and external courses.
  • All Courses by Topic: Organised by general themes, showing all available courses.

To enrol:

  • Click on a course or pathway.
  • A pop-up window will show a summary.
  • Click Enrol at the bottom of the window.
  • The course will appear in your Enrolments section on your Home Screen.

🔗 Quick Links:

How do I search for a specific course?

  1. Use the Keywords search box in the Catalog Search area (top left of your Home Screen).
  2. Type the course title or a keyword.
  3. Press Enter or click Search.

4. Course Progress and History

Where can I find completed courses?

  1. Log in and click Learning Center on the left-hand side.
  2. Click Learning to view current enrolments.
  3. Click the My Learning History tab to view completed, withdrawn, or deactivated courses.

Why are there courses in my Enrolments that I didn’t sign up for?

Some courses are automatically assigned:

  • Mandatory courses (e.g., Foundations Learning Pathway)
  • Manager-assigned courses based on your role

📌 To request withdrawal from a course, contact the L&D Team.

5. Course Duration and Flexibility

How long do courses take?

Course durations vary.

  • Click on a course to view its summary pop-up, which may include estimated time.
  • You can complete courses at your own pace and resume where you left off.

6. Additional Support

Where can I get more guidance?

  • Visit the Global L&D SharePoint Page for resources and updates.
  • Contact your local People and Culture Lead for personalised support.