The Challenge
At The Bench, a successful online learning platform for jewellers, identified a growing demand for accredited qualifications in the industry. While their existing platform offered high-quality video courses, students wanted formal recognition of their skills through a diploma.
The goal: to launch At The Bench Academy, a new online diploma program, while leveraging their existing audience of 37,000+ members.
The Opportunity
Inspired by At The Bench’s success in blending practical training with professional development, the Jewellery Academy was designed to offer:
01. A Recognised Diploma Programme
- Structured courses mirroring industry standards.
- Flexible Online Learning – Students study at their own pace with tutor support.
- Accreditation Partnerships – Working with jewellery trade bodies to ensure credibility.
02. Engaging & Interactive Learning
- Live Workshops – Monthly Zoom sessions with master jewellers.
- Peer Feedback – An online community for critiques and networking.
- Practical Assignments – Students submit work for professional assessment.
03. Infrastructure Built for Performance
To ensure reliability and scalability, the academy was built on:
- WordPress Core: Chosen for its stability, SEO advantages, and ease of use—critical for managing hundreds of students and courses.
- Course Management Module: Handles drip content, quizzes, and certifications, integrating smoothly with the existing video library.
- Amazon S3 Video Hosting: Ensures global, low-latency streaming of high-definition tutorials.
- Expiring Links: Dynamic URL expiration prevents unauthorized content sharing, protecting premium courses.
- Custom HTML5 Player: Designed for jewellery training, with frame-by-frame playback, slow-motion controls, and annotation tools for precise technique analysis.
