Modern employee training methods for business growth from classroom to cyberspace

Franklin is a business owner who runs a profitable company that manufactures precision tools and equipment. The company is performing well, but even after increasing the manpower, productivity still stays the same. After some research, Franklin found that the new employees took some time to adapt to the company's culture and equipment handling.

Interestingly, another reason exists: the existing employees' skillsets are becoming obsolete, requiring upskilling.   

In today's dynamic business landscape, the emphasis on continuous learning and skills enhancement has never been more critical. Training programs help organizations with this, whether it's onboarding new employees or upskilling existing ones to boost productivity.

There are different methods of employee training, so it’s important to choose the one that fits right for your organizational needs. In this blog post, let's delve deep into the different employee training methods to upskill your employees.

Traditional training methods

Traditional classroom training refers to an instructor-based training program in which an expert will teach the employees and conduct the training sessions. In this method, the employees can have peer-to-peer interaction, ask their questions, and engage with their trainer in real time.

There are various types of offline training methods in which the learner interacts and learns in real time.

Social learning

Social learning refers to a process in which people learn from the behavior and experiences through observation and meaningful interaction with others. Social learning fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing in a work environment.

Consider an employee who got promoted to a managerial position, but before transitioning, the employee must know how things work inside the organization to make faster and better decisions.

Engaging in conversations or receiving one-on-one coaching from seasoned managers can provide invaluable insights and guidance. Through regular discussions and feedback sessions, the employee can ask questions, gain deeper understanding, and receive constructive criticism to enhance their managerial skills.

The benefits of social learning:

• Social learning contributes to at least 75% of the knowledge an employee gains from the workplace.

• Social learning initiates peer-to-peer interaction in the workplace and also promotes collaboration inside an organization.

Case studies and problem-solving

Real-world applications are crucial for skill development. Designing courses rich in case studies and problem-solving exercises encourages learners to analyze situations, think critically, and develop practical problem-solving skills. This helps the organizations to achieve the desired learning outcomes.

The benefits of case studies include:

• Case studies evoke multiple perspectives and different approaches to solving a problem, which helps the employees expand their way of thinking.

• They also improve learning retention by providing relatable and memorable experiences that resonate with the learners.

Mentorship programs

Mentorship programs provide a unique opportunity for personalized learning experiences. Facilitating one-on-one interactions between mentors and learners allows for tailored guidance and support, creating a richer learning journey. Assigning a mentor to a new employee in an organization will help the employee understand the organization and the nature of work in a more effective way.

The benefits of mentorship programs include:

• They providey personalized guidance and support for skill development based on individual needs and goals.

• They boost confidence and morale through mentor encouragement and positive reinforcement.

Online employee training methods

Online employee training is an educational method in which the course content is delivered to the learners through electronic devices connected to the internet. This provides flexibility to the learners because they can access the course anytime, from anywhere. This is a best-case solution for organizations looking to train their workforce without hindering performance and giving the employees the option to learn on the go.

The benefits of online employee training include:

• Organizations can create immersive learning experiences by creating courses with robust online course creation platforms.

• Diverse multimedia elements, interactive quizzes, and assessments can be seamlessly integrated into the curriculum to cater to various learning styles.

• Learner engagement and progress can be monitored using analytics tools to understand the effectiveness of the training.

• This is a cost-effective mode of training that gives maximum impact.

Microlearning modules

E-learning has different methods to deliver the content to the learners; one such method is microlearning. It involves breaking large, complex topics and content material into small, digestive modules.

According to recent studies, humans have a very short attention span of 8.25 seconds. In an age where information overload is a constant challenge, microlearning has emerged as a solution.

The benefits of microlearning include: 

• Microlearning courses have high completion rates, ranging from 70% to 80%.

• The bite-sized lessons not only enhance information retention but also cater to modern learners' preferences.

• It helps learners cover the course content quickly.

Live virtual training

Live virtual training sessions provide a dynamic environment for interaction between instructors and learners. This creates a real-time learning experience that helps the employees understand a concept in a better way. There are different virtual training formats such as workshops, Q&A sessions, and collaborative projects.

The benefits of live virtual training include: 

• Live virtual training fosters engagement and a sense of community learning.

• It allows for immediate feedback from the instructors, which provides the employees with the opportunity to correct their mistakes.

• Employees can ask questions and engage in discussion, which improves the overall efficiency of the training session.

Gamification

Gamification refers to the use of game-based elements to teach concepts and engage learners in online learning. This type of training method keeps the employees engaged in the session and also boosts their interest.

The benefits of gamification include:

• From quizzes and challenges to points and badges, various gamification options create an immersive and competitive learning environment.

• Implementing gamification strategies is seven times more profitable and ensures a promising return on investments.

• It makes the learning process more fun and interactive, which establishes a connection between the course content and the real-world application of the topics.

On-demand video content

Pre-recorded video content remains a potent tool for delivering engaging and informative training. Organizations can create course videos and host them on online training platforms, providing learners with the flexibility to access the content at their own pace. You can leverage visual storytelling, animations, and real-world examples to make the video content more compelling and effective.

The benefits of on-demand video content include:

• Learning through video materials improves creativity and stimulates elastic thinking, which enables learners to master the skills in a better way.

• On-demand videos can be downloaded offline and can be accessed whenever the learner is available to watch the content, making them easily accessible.

• The learners can pause or re-watch the content at their own convenience; this provides them with the option to learn at their own pace.

Simulations and role-playing

Hands-on learning through simulations and exercises is invaluable for critical skill development. Designing realistic scenarios allows learners to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, effectively bridging the gap between theory and practice. This type of training method can be used for teaching skills that require repeated practice to perfect. Simulation training is indispensable, especially in the military, aviation, and healthcare sectors.

The benefits of simulation training include:

• It provides a safe environment where learners are free to try their skills before performing them in the real world.

• According to a study by the University of Central Florida, simulation-based training can improve learners' performance by up to 20% when compared to other traditional training methods.

• Simulation training promotes critical thinking and decision-making skills, which helps them apply the course concepts in a better way.

Wrapping up

As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of employee training, course creators play a vital role in shaping the future of workforce education. Implementing online courses in employee training will help the workforce learn and adapt to changing business needs and foster career growth. Online employee training is a crucial element in modern business strategy. It not only closes the skill gap in an organization but also increases employees’ productivity and efficiency.