Objectives This research sought to evaluate the effectiveness of innovative learning approaches in training health workers for effective management and control of diabetes and childhood asthma. Setting Assessment was conducted in Kilifi, Nyeri, Nairobi and Kakamega counties in Kenya in selected sub-counties in the 4 counties. Participants Health workforce were randomly selected. Selection was stratified by county and model of training then inflated to account for loss to follow up and 382 participated based on availability and saturation. Interventions Based on high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) specifically Diabetes and asthma in Kenya, AMREF and partners implemented a three-year project (June 2015 - May 2018) aimed at building the capacity of health workers to effectively manage and control the NCDs. It was implemented in 4 counties. The trainings were done using face to face, blended, elearning and mlearning. Primary and secondary outcome measures The research measured the effectiveness of the training models in improving the capacity of health workers to effectively manage and control the NCDs. Results The trainings appreciation rate was 95% across the four approaches. Health workers were well equipped with skills to address asthma (85.6%) and diabetes (94.2%). Satisfaction though lower in eLearning (64%) due to reliability of internet and learning platform downtime against mlearning (89%) and face to face (90%), all the training models were found to contribute to improved knowledge. Conclusions The different training models were very effective. The training was successful in increasing knowledge, confidence and commitment to spearhead the preventive and curative aspects of the illnesses. No training model was superior in terms of the degree of satisfaction, improving knowledge, shaping behaviour change and organisational performance. Further research There is need to asses an elearning / mlearning training model that is purely technology based and compare that with the blended approaches of learning.