Getting corporate training right is a big challenge for any organisation. When it’s done well it’s a win-win situation for both the organisation and the employees. The organisation can upskill its workforce and improve results and employees feel like they’re being supported to develop their talents.
To provide the best possible training, many organisations turn to eLearning and online training programs. They’ve become the go-to method to equip staff with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in the modern workplace. Whether using off-the-shelf courses that have already been created, or working with a developer to create new bespoke courses, companies can be sure that their training needs will be met.
Let’s take a look at the advantages of using eLearning and online training programs.
Convenience
eLearning courses can be completed anywhere at any time. This makes it easy to schedule training around other priorities. Different employees can take the same course at different times, meaning you don’t need to lose a big chunk of your workforce to a training session when there are other jobs that need doing. It also makes it easy for a remote team to do the same training from their various locations.
Quick
Many eLearning courses are quick and to the point, taking less than fifteen minutes to complete. This makes it easier for the learner to stay focused. There’s no waffle or wasted time. Instead, the learner is simply taught the key information they need to know. They can then get back to doing the work that matters, equipped with the skills and knowledge they need.
Easy to Use
You don’t need to be a computer whizz to take an eLearning course. The courses are designed to be easy to use, with simple, clear instructions that guide the learner through the process. Whether the learner is someone who is always on their phone, or isn’t the most confident when it comes to modern technology, the course won’t present a problem.
Engaging
When a learner is focused, they retain much more information than when they’re bored. eLearning course developers have lots of tricks to keep the learner engaged including animation, gamification, and immersive exercises. These can be fun, but they serve a serious purpose: to make sure the learner is giving the material their full attention and won’t forget it.
Interactive
With eLearning courses, the learner isn’t sitting there passively. They’re not just watching a video, reading an article, or listening to someone talk. Instead, they’re actively involved in the learning process.
To achieve this, eLearning courses include interactive elements. These range from workplace scenarios where the learner can predict the best course of action to quizzes on what they’ve just learned.
Suits the Learner’s Own Pace
Everyone learns at different speeds. Some people can quickly breeze through a topic and get full marks on the assessment. Other people take more time to process new information before they move on to the next part. eLearning courses often allow the learner to click the “next” button when they’re ready. Instead of working at the speed of the instructor or video, the learner is in control.
Large Range of Topics
There is a large range of off-the-shelf courses available from developers, covering all the major training needs that a modern company will have. From teamwork to cyber security, you’re likely to be able to find a course that fulfils your training needs.
In the event that an organisation requires company-specific training for their workforce, such as training on a particular internal policy, eLearning courses can still offer a solution. Working with the organisation, developers can create bespoke courses to cover any topic that is required, however niche.
Use Multiple Times
Once an eLearning course has been purchased, it can be used again and again, whether to train new employees or to refresh the skills and knowledge of the existing staff. There’s no limit to how many times you can use it.
This means that if you have a lot of staff who need training, you can quickly roll out the course. With each person who takes it, you’re getting better value for money.
Consistency
Training carried out by a tutor or instructor can vary from lesson to lesson. Sometimes it just doesn’t go right. But an eLearning course is always the same. This means that you can be sure that every colleague is receiving exactly the same high level of training. This is great for building up a team with a consistent set of skills and knowledge. With the same training, it’s easier for them to work well together.
Up-to-Date
Each eLearning course is thoroughly researched and based on the latest industry knowledge and best-practice. There are no out-of-date textbooks or teachers repeating what they learned thirty years ago. Staff won’t be left behind, but will be able to understand and implement the latest ideas.
Immediate Results
Once a course has taught the learner the skills and knowledge they need, it ends with an interactive test to ensure that the learner has fully understood the information. This provides immediate feedback on how well they’ve done. It also makes it easy to measure and record which courses employees have completed and what scores they achieved, saving a lot of hassle when it comes to the management and administration of training.
Save Money
Online training programmes are a cost-effective way to train staff, especially for companies with a lot of new employees or a large existing workforce. The cost of eLearning courses can vary, and bespoke courses cost more than off-the-shelf courses, but it’s generally a much cheaper option than repeatedly hiring tutors and instructors to train staff. For a one-off payment, you have a course that is yours to use as much as you need to.
Now you’ve seen the advantages of eLearning, why not take advantage of them? At Real Projects, we’ve worked on hundreds of eLearning projects over the last 15 years. Get in touch to discuss how we can meet your needs.
