THE BENEFITS OF E-LEARNING IN THE MODERN WORKPLACE

In today’s ultra-competitive marketplace, the need to grow, develop and train competent and engaged staff is more important than ever before. There is a direct correlation between highly skilled and engaged staff and client satisfaction levels. Invest in staff and see the effect on your bottom line! The challenge around training however remains: cost vs benefit, time, resources, technical skills vs soft skills, individuals vs. teams, in-house or outsourced service providers. Most firms we work with understand the need and benefits of training, but to address these needs are easier said than done. With the introduction and application of technology into almost all facets of business, skills training has also seen a dramatic transformation in the way skills development is addressed in the workplace. Rapid e-learning or online training, through the use of digital technology, has made it possible for companies seriously committed to skills development and personal growth to bring training into the workplace and become a place of continuous learning. What are the benefits of e-learning?

Access to information

Recent surveys highlight that staff, when given a choice, want mobile, relevant, personalised and self-paced content and information at a point of need. The digital revolution and smartphone boom has triggered huge changes in how we access, consume, discuss, and share content. Naturally, learning is following suit. A key advantage to getting your learning online via multiple devices, ensures that companies deliver the type of training content staff want, when they want it. In addition, digital, self-paced learning can be accessed at point of need, not somewhere else – like a classroom far away – employees can therefore apply what they’ve learnt straightaway.

Saves time

At a time when change is faster than ever, a key advantage of e-learning is that it has quicker delivery cycle times than traditional classroom-based instruction. Research indicates that e-learning reduces learning time by at least 25 to 60 percent when compared to traditional learning. E-learning therefore cuts down on the training time required because:

• it does not take as long to start and wrap up a learning session;
• learners set their own pace, rather than the pace of the group;
• no travel time is needed to get to and from training events;
• learners can focus on elements of a programme they need to learn and can skip what they already know.

Rapid e-learning on the other hand, has enabled businesses, large or small, to roll out training programmes within weeks, or even days. Skills gaps can therefore be addressed immediately, as they appear.

Lower costs

Because of the speed and ease in which e-learning is delivered, the costs of learning and development for a business are drastically reduced. There are the immediate cost-effective gains of e-learning in terms of reducing training time as well as cost-effective savings in terms of trainers, course materials, travel and accommodation. However, it is equally important to highlight that e-learning, when done right, can also improve a business’ profitability.

Effective form of learning

From experience, we have seen time and again that e-learning gives all staff access to training if and when needed. This has a huge influence on the staffs’ attitude towards learning in general and engagement in training as a whole. With e-learning based on online training portals, another level of benefits open up for business owners and managers. Training can now be tracked, measured and assessed. Evaluation and certification is easy, therefore making it possible to hold staff accountable and to reward engaged staff. Staff are getting the opportunity and ability to apply new knowledge directly to their everyday work. Knowledge retention is much higher compared to traditional forms of training. This has a direct effect on efficiency and productivity.

Are you considering e-learning as a training solution in your business? Need more information on affordable e-learning solutions? Contact Human Alliance for more information or advice on the implementation of online training in your business. We have a solution!