Today, seizing opportunities to develop a workforce for the current challenges and those it’ll face in the future is increasingly critical. Labor shortages and skill gaps are pervasive. As a result, companies can’t solely rely on outside hires to shore up weak points on teams. Instead, they need to embrace concepts like upskilling by using training to boost the capabilities of their existing employees.
Often, eLearning is one of the best approaches for keeping your workforce’s skills current. Additionally, it allows employers to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance capabilities in preparation for changes that are on the horizon. Typically, it also allows companies to harness opportunities they’d otherwise have to bypass, ensuring they can cultivate skillsets that provide essential value at the right moment.
Ultimately, it’s critical not to underestimate the significance of eLearning in the workplace. Here’s a closer look at the advantages eLearning can provide.
Increased Cost-Effectiveness
One of the most significant barriers to upskilling is often the associated costs. Instructor-led training is classically expensive, particularly if an employer needs to bring in outside expertise and the class sizes are highly restricted, potentially making multiple sessions necessary. Additionally, in-person training means coordinating the learners and pulling them away from their other responsibilities en masse, which can harm productivity.
eLearning is a far more cost-effective solution. Once the course is prepared, it’s continuously available. Plus, there aren’t any limits to the number of participants, providing additional value. Further, employees can take part at times that make sense based on their schedule and duties, limiting the impact of productivity losses. As a result, eLearning is highly cost-effective, making it a wiser investment.
Greater Knowledge Retention
One of the drawbacks of lengthy instructor-led training sessions is that knowledge retention isn’t typically the highest. Employees can only take in so much information before their attention wanes. When training drags on for hours, disengagement is almost guaranteed. As a result, participants won’t recall much of what’s presented, which isn’t ideal.
eLearning doesn’t require employees to receive all of the information in quick succession. Instead, it’s possible to break up the coursework into short modules. Then, participants can proceed at a pace that works best for them. They can move forward when they have the energy to dedicate and pause when they need time to digest. As a result, knowledge retention increases, allowing eLearning courses to provide more value.
Higher Engagement
eLearning creates opportunities to boost engagement in several ways. Interactive elements can present challenges that capture the learner’s attention. Gamification can reward successes, while immediate feedback can support the learning objectives and help the participant on their journey.
Plus, eLearning can cater to various learning styles by presenting information in several ways. Text can be accompanied by audio and video recordings, while virtual scenarios add an active component. As a result, a more comprehensive array of learner needs are met, leading to better results.
At Clarity, we have 30 years of experience in L&D, giving us the knowledge and expertise to assist organizations with developing effective eLearning programs for their workplaces. Plus, if you’re trying to expand your internal L&D team, Clarity can be your candidate search ally, connecting you with top talent when needed.
Contact us today.
