'The Future of Employment; How Susceptible Are Jobs to Computerisation?'study suggested that 702 professions risk extinction due to automation, with occupations in transport and logistics, sales and services, office support being most vulnerable. This should prompt employers to start organising training to prepare for the change. However, according to a 2016 report by Degreed, companies are failing to help their employees to develop careers. That's why many workers self-train instead of availing mentoring, company e-learning programmes or company-sponsored conferences.
Microlearning apps/E-learning
Today's population is stuck to their phone for pretty much everything -shopping, banking, music, dating, movies- you name it! People do it all on their own smartphones either on the go or relaxing at home. This offers huge potential for companies to be more creative with the approaches they take to training their employees. Learning and Development (L&D) departments are now recognising the power of this medium and are looking to tap into the potential it has on offer.We now use mobile learning appsfor different requirements from microlearning tosupplementingprimary e-Learning or Instructor-led training (ILT) programs as well as for assessments.
This has led to the rise of microlearning apps and websites such as Duolingo, Grovo, Coursera, Udemy and LinkedIn all offer microlearning and e-learning formats. These can be used to learn both hard and soft skills (e.g. managing conflict) or about a new type of software. Microlearning works well because it ensures spaced repetition, which is far more effective than cramming.
Here are some of the advantages of e-learning
- E-Learning is Cost Effective
An online training system reduces many costs that would normally be associated with classroom training, including travel, learning materials, venues, and catering. With outdated training methods, updating and reproducing learning materials is costly and time-consuming. Online training platforms let you update important text packets and lesson plans quickly and easily, and since they remain online, you can save on printing costs. Given the savings a company can see after implementing an online employee training program, ROI is one of the clearest benefits of e-learning for businesses.
- E-Learning is Convenient and Flexible
People are always looking for opportunities to grow. Online training allows employees to quickly get up to speed on new processes. One major complaint about traditional training methods is that the time-consuming nature of the programs takes away from valuable time that could have been spent on other work. With training management systems, employees can participate in their online courses at any time'�including at home or during down time at work'�so learning doesn't have to conflict with other important or time-sensitive job tasks. Online training platforms also allow employees to revisit key information right when they need it.
- E-Learning Allows Timely Feedback
Employees can get real-time feedback during an online training course. And because everything is connected online, management can also get up-to-date analyses on how courses are performing, and they track the progress of individual employees. Another bonus for management? No manual evaluations of coursework. If you want to include quizzes in your training, all course authors need to do is provide the correct answers, and the learning management system can automate the grading and evaluation.
- E-Learning Personalizes the Training Experience
Not every employee learns the same way. Even though the course material is consistent for all users, e-learning allows each individual learner to control the pace of the course. Because of the flexibility e-learning provides, users can also take the course in an environment more conducive to their learning style.
- E -Learning creates Employee Satisfaction
Job satisfaction generally increases and self-esteem improves when employees better understand the workings of the company. Training can also enhance morale on the job and loyalty to the company. Workers who believe their company offers excellent training opportunities are generally less likely to leave their companies than employees with poor training opportunities.
Summary
Companies need to organise employee training to prepare for the coming changes; for example prepare them for positions of control and help them to become more tech-savvy. This could be achieved through microlearning - a quick learning for the smartphone generation. The advantages of e-learning are plentiful. E-learning helps companies create a higher quality, more effective training experience for employees, at a more affordable cost. When employees are more excited about training, their engagement carries over into the rest of their work.