Physical training vs e-learning
Before the Pandemic, physical training was always my preference, and as a people manager, I like to get my people engaged during the classroom session. Most of the top management in gen X may feel the same, especially being in the engineering sector for over 20 years.
In the last two years, things have changed so rapidly, especially people force in accepting the new normal, new way of doing things to strive for survival and stay relevant. Learning is no longer a PUSH factor but a PULL factor for a new generation that wants to have a faster pace of career progression.
Learning at your own time and selecting topics that enhance your knowledge and skill as you don't have time to do that at work. At the workplace, you validate what you learned, seeking advice from the subject matter experts. This help in improving your time management skill while balancing the day in day out operation tasks.
For a company, e-learning can save time money and reduce transportation and seeing it far more cost-effective compared to traditional learning. As serious learners, the learning is not tied to lecturing time, which is half of the time busy flipping the training material. The real ROI of the training investment comes when a learner can apply the knowledge to address the problem or overcome the challenges of oneself or the organization.
Hybrid learning
The company should start with a hybrid approach by adopting E-learning and reallocating the subject matter's time conduct the same training repeatedly. They need to play a role in identifying company pain points which required new skills or new talent.
Subject matter experts should assist and quantify the learning outcome. This help learner/employees to apply and gain knowledge thru real hands-on experiences. Enable a company to rely less on outsource services but more effective talent development strategy.
This approach helps learners gain more recognition if they bring more value to the company after implementing what they learned. It can be a cross-function project that promotes active collaboration.
Key benefits of e-learning
Must-Know benefit of e-learning:
- Anytime and Anywhere
- Reduce burden on budgets
- Employee Induction
- Performance Support tools
- Supplement other Learning Strategies
- Suitable for Compliance Training
- Analytic to track learner's progress
Written by Digital Business Development Director, MSTS Asia