The Obvious (and not so obvious) Benefits of Online Employee Training and Development
1. Convenient and flexible access
Almost everyone knows that convenient and flexible access to learning is one of the key advantages of eLearning in the corporate training environment. Courses can be accessed anytime, anywhere from a mobile device, laptop, tablet or desktop.
This means that employees can learn on trains, planes, or comfy couches. It also means that not everyone has to learn at the same time. Everyone has their own busy schedules, so employees can access their learning when they have time, and when their energy levels and focus are maximised for retention.
7. aligned to 21st-century business
The simple fact that eLearning is technology-based is one of the advantages of online training for employees. Why? Well, think about it. Employees are people, and people today spend the majority of their time on their phones, computers or other technology. This is what they are comfortable with.
Given that most jobs require employees to leverage technology, why should their training be any different? That’s why eLearning is relevant to modern day businesses and jobs, and placing training on the platforms that employees are already using is bound to increase training uptake amongst staff.
2. easy on the budget
The word “cost-effective” might not be first to mind when thinking about the advantages of digital training. This is because setting up your eLearning course can actually be quite costly, depending on how complex it needs to be. But it’s an investment that saves you money down the line.
Online training means that you can cut out the costs of travel expenses, catering and venue hire – not to mention the costs of facilitators and physical training materials, like stationary. And it gets better. eLearning courses can be re-used and updated without much expense or time, and one online training program can reach far more learners than a classroom workshop.
8. interactivity and gamification
Some new skills just need more than simple notes and videos. Sometimes, learning requires active participation from employees. Think pilots, machine operators, and senior decision-makers. Once again, eLearning has the solution.
A powerful LMS that offers features that support gamification, branching scenarios and simulations can provide the ultimate level of interactivity and practice, without the risk.
Interactive eLearning courses allow employees to practice new skills in a safe place, so when it comes to real-life implementation, they’re set up for success.
3. serves different learning styles
Not every person learns the same way. Some might retain more knowledge through videos, others might prefer written notes, and some might need realistic opportunities for practice before they truly grasp a new skill.
One of the greatest benefits of eLearning for employee training and development is that you have a world of content formats at your fingertips. Videos, notes, infographics, games and other content types make eLearning engaging for everyone.
Plus, different types of assessments, like quizzes and case studies, means that learners can be engaged according to their increasing level of understanding as they progress through the training. And more engagement is a sure sign that employees will want to complete their course!
9. accessible support from experts
Almost all training can be delivered digitally, but sometimes there is still a need for live facilitation and expert support. No problem! One of the benefits of online training for employees is that they can learn in their own time, at their own pace, while still having access to subject matter experts.
Question and answer features, chat forums and webinars are just a few of the ways that employees can get access to the live, personable guidance that they need. Plus, features that allow the recording of webinars and live tutorials ensure that no one misses out!
4. self-driven and self-paced
At the start of a training program, the chances are slim that everyone will have the same level of knowledge, skill or experience. So, some employees might learn quicker or slower than others. Some might already be familiar with certain parts of training that they don’t want to waste time repeating, and others might be completely new to aspects of the learning.
The benefit of eLearning for a business is that employees can learn at their own pace, according to their own learning needs. This means that employees aren’t put under unnecessary pressure, or painted with the one-size-fits-all training brush.
10. collaboration and community building
Learning can be lonely, but it should be a social exercise. Because employees often learn more through interactions with their peers than they do from reading a book. Of course, bringing employees together often leads to debates and discussions that lead to innovation, too.
The good news is that eLearning doesn’t have to be an individual journey. Because community and collaboration are actually benefits of online training. Through features like discussion forums and live tutorials employees can have access to others in the learning community. Engagement with other employees fosters collaboration and team culture, which has benefits beyond the training environment.
5. measurable results and reporting
Knowing how effective training has been, is the question that every organization should be asking. Because an investment is only well made if it helped to achieve business goals.
When training takes place online, it’s quick and easy to pull the data you need to measure its effectiveness. Information like course completion rates, forum engagement, assessment grades, and the time it takes to complete a course can all be gathered in the form of reports, directly from the Learning Management System (LMS).
11. Immediate feedback and recognition
When online training incorporates interactive elements like quizzes and branching scenarios, employees have access to immediate feedback. Yet another one of the benefits of eLearning in the workplace!
Immediate results from online assessments help employees to gauge how well they are doing, and what sections of learning material they might need to revise before they move on. In addition, gamification features that incorporate leaderboards, badges and certificates provide employees with a sense of recognition and achievement that motivates them to learn.
Timely and automated feedback and recognition is valuable not just for employees, but for their managers and the business, too. This is because it reduces the need for manual feedback and grading.
6. digital record keeping and administration
This is one of the major benefits of web-based training when it comes to business value. Training, especially in large corporations, usually means hours of hair-grasping administrative work. Someone must keep track of which employee has been allocated to each training program, who has completed, who is still busy, who has even registered… and the list goes on. With online training, employees register directly on the LMS, and everything is a breeze from there. No pens, papers and bursting ring-back folders. At any time, admin staff can log on and pull reports to identify which employees have started or finished their training, and who still needs a little nudge.
12. widespread connection and standardisation
Organisations with multiple teams, departments, and offices, geographically dispersed teams, or remote workers, often struggle to connect employees through a standardised training program. Luckily, this is one of the benefits of training and development through an online learning environment.
eLearning programs enable organisations to deliver the same content, in the same way, to all of their employees around the world. Not only will employees attend the same live sessions and watch the same videos, but they will be able to interact with other team members that they do not have access to in the physical office.