How to Set a Start Date for Learnings

In this article:

• Overview
• Why use Learning Start Dates?
• Assigning a Start Date to a Learning
• Using Start Dates in Pathways
• Using Start Dates with Workflows
• Learner experience
• Who can do this

Overview

Learning Start Dates let you control when learners can begin an assigned Learning. This makes sure content is accessed at the right time — not too early, and not too late. Start Dates work across Library content (courses, documents and so on), Pathways, Events, Forms, and Workflows and scheduled Learnings.

Why use Learning Start Dates?

Learning Start Dates are ideal when you're:

• Running structured onboarding programmes
• Managing new starters in cohorts
• Linking Learning to specific dates or events
• Automating Learning delivery with Workflows

Assigning a Start Date to a Learning

1. Navigate to the course, Pathway, Event or Form.
2. Click Assign.
3. Select the users or groups.
4. Set the Start Date.
5. (Optional) Set a due date.
6. Choose whether to notify learners.
7. Click Assign.

Learners will see the Learning in My Learning but won't be able to start it until the Start Date.

Using Start Dates in Pathways

Start Dates can be applied within Pathways at two levels — Sections and Steps.

• When a Start Date is set on a Section, learners cannot access any Steps in that Section until the date is reached.
• When a Start Date is set on an individual Step, content unlocks progressively.

To set a Start Date on a Section or Step:

1. Open the Pathway editor.
2. Select a Section or Step and open its settings.
3. Set the Start Date, either on a specific date or relative to assignment (for example, a number of days after the learner is assigned).
4. Publish the Pathway.

Using Start Dates with Workflows

Learning Start Dates are fully supported in Workflows. When configuring a Workflow assignment, you can set a fixed Start Date, or use a relative Start Date, such as:

• A specific day of the week
• A monthly pattern (for example, the second Monday of the month)

This is especially useful for scheduled onboarding programmes and monthly or fortnightly cohorts.

Learner experience

From the learner's perspective:

• The Learning appears in My Learning.
• Attempting to start it early displays a message explaining that it isn't yet available.
• Access is automatically unlocked on the Start Date.

No further action is required from you once a Start Date is set.

Who can do this

You set Start Dates when assigning a Learning or when building a Pathway or Workflow, so it follows the same permissions as those actions. Owners, Admins, Managers, People Managers and Instructors can set a Start Date when assigning content. Editing Start Dates inside a Pathway (on Sections and Steps) is available to Owners, Admins, Managers, Content Managers and Instructors. Employees and Restricted users cannot set Start Dates.

Updated on: 24/07/2026