The Future of Employee Training

Many organizations are gradually shifting towards new corporate training techniques. They have begun integrating technology and automation into their processes to ensure seamless and efficient employee enablement strategies. But will this continue to be the trend for employee training in the coming years?

As more HR tools and software emerge, it seems like this will be the future of employee training from now on. Organizations will soon have more personalized and digital approaches to keep their workforce happy and skillful.

To learn more about the latest developments in employee training and the benefits they possess, read on. 

Why did the trend of employee training change?

We have seen a massive change in how companies approach their employees in the past years. They have begun transitioning towards online strategies primarily because of our shift to remote work brought about by the global pandemic.

The shift towards remote work has proven surprisingly beneficial to many organizations. A 2021 research by Owl Labs and Global Workplace Analytics discovered that more than 74% of employees feel happier in this setup compared to the traditional in-person format.

That is because employees can spend more time for themselves and with their families. They can continue working on their tasks regardless of where they are in the state, country, or world since there is software to track employee tasks and manage the staff optimally. Thus, traditional employee training and engagement strategies have evolved and adapted to this situation.

However, remote work also demands versatility and flexibility in the learning programs you will conduct. Now, you can choose from a broader range of employee training approaches, such as:

• Group-based training
• On-demand learning
• Automated learning
• VR-based and AI-based learning

Each virtual strategy has its unique strengths and benefits to any organization. You can also use each approach in concurrence with each other and based on how you see fit for your company. We will tackle these specifics in the following section.

Example of future employee training methods practiced in different companies 

When it comes to determining the right employee training strategy, it will ultimately boil down to your workforce’s needs and your current resources. There is no one size fits all approach to strengthening your employees’ skills and knowledge. 

Since every employee has a unique learning style, a company’s training approach must be flexible. This way, you can ensure continuous engagement and satisfaction from your workforce.

Below are the most recommended and latest trends on the future of employee training:

1. Automated learning solutions

Repetitive and daunting parts of the employee enablement journey may require automation. Not only will this make things a lot easier on the HR department’s side, but it will also keep employees more engaged and satisfied.

By incorporating an automated learning management system into your current training practices, there will be greater room for personalization. Employees can choose a topic they want to learn and study at their own pace. It is also integrated into the on-demand learning style, where you can train your workforce in real time, regardless of where they are and the day.

From here on, the HR team can continuously track the progress of every employee. It becomes extremely useful with the help of platforms like iSpring Learn, especially when a company operates with more than 10 employees. It reduces potential errors and ensures the holistic growth and development of everyone.

This automated learning management system can also provide real-time feedback and recognition, as well as reminders and notifications. Together, these features allow employees to perform well in their training and retain their newly-learned skills while staying motivated and engaged.

2. VR- and AI-based learning solutions

Apart from automated learning management systems, some companies have added AI-based learning solutions to their employee training strategy. The most common approach under this involves using virtual reality (VR).

Virtual reality allows you to create a computer-generated simulation of a particular real-life situation. It mimics your environment and the people around you, so you can interact accordingly using electronic equipment in a somewhat realistic way.

While AI-based learning solutions are fairly less popular and used in many industries, they can produce remarkable results for any company and its employees. In fact, a recent Forbes article reported a 56% decrease in the time spent learning a new manufacturing skill in pharmaceutical companies.

Given such results, AI-based learning solutions can help build the practical skills of employees in a fun and efficient means. It can train employees to respond to customers, use the company’s equipment, and much more effectively, safely, and efficiently.

3. Group-based learning solutions

Group-based learning solutions or social learning solutions revolve around the principles of collaboration and teamwork. In a corporate setting, that entails having employees from different departments and teams working together and communicating with each other to achieve the company’s goals.

Employees may be placed in a buddy system or different groups to work on a particular project. The number of people in a group would, of course, depend on the company. However, setting them to as few employees as possible is always the best way to go about it. 

Throughout the corporate training, employees can learn from each other by conceptualizing, planning, and discussing together. They can use their individual ideas, skills, and experiences to collaborate and accomplish the given task. It can also be a way for them to motivate and show support to one another, especially when the journey gets overwhelming.

When employing this learning strategy, it is crucial to ensure that every employee feels accountable for their individual contributions to the team’s overall success. The use of feedback can significantly help them improve their skills, strategies, and experiences. Recognizing them for their efforts can also boost their engagement.

Conclusion

The future of employee training looks bright in the coming years, especially with the latest advancements and developments in technology. Company leaders can forget tedious training processes and focus on improving employee engagement and satisfaction.

Now, companies can train and develop their employees’ skills and expertise more effectively and efficiently without going back to traditional training strategies. As a result, employees can have more personalized and holistic career growth with their organization.