Remote work fueled by digital transformation has stimulated many training innovations. Today, workplace learning is more flexible and efficient than ever before. An organization must be willing to evolve to keep up with its competition. This means adopting the latest methods of training employees. Here, we review the most innovative training ideas in the present and for the future.
Why must you embrace training innovations?
In a recent survey, 42% of U.S. organizations revealed that eLearning boosted their revenue. Another report revealed that digital training saved employees 60% more time and resulted in a 3000% ROI for businesses.
In this new age of work, organizations must embrace innovative employee training methods for the following reasons;
1. Equips organizations for better service delivery
Innovative training methods teach employees to be better researchers. Basically, these methods of training employees force them to assume the customer’s role. Thus, employees better understand customer needs and behaviors and devise means to meet these needs.
2. Boosts performance and growth
Innovative training equips employees with advanced skills and ideas to improve performance. More importantly, these methods are cheaper and more efficient than traditional training methods. Thus, organizations save money and time to yield higher collective productivity. Organizations that adopt innovative methods of training employees are likelier to achieve double-digit growth.
3. Enhances employee retention
Companies that embrace innovative training methods enable their employees to upskill and progress in their careers. Thus, employees feel a sense of appreciation towards their organization, helping to improve retention.
What are the top innovative training trends in 2024?
If you’re looking to take your company to the next level, you must be ready to apply the latest innovative employee training methods. These include;
Blended Learning
Also known as hybrid learning, blended learning integrates traditional and digital learning. Blended learning combines the strengths of face-to-face and distance learning techniques, allowing employees the flexibility to personalize their learning experience. The learning experience is also enhanced since this method limits the drawbacks of each technique.
In essence, blended training fosters team bonding and instructor-learner engagement unique to in-person training while offering efficient learning and flexibility unique to e-learning.
Social learning
This technique involves the informal dissemination of knowledge on a certain subject. Social learning utilizes virtual learning podiums and collaborative mutual assistance programs on social media networks. Social learning enhances employee motivation and engagement by encouraging them to create digestible content based on what they’ve learned about a subject. Besides sharing their learning experiences, social learning enables employees to teach their coworkers something new.
Mobile Learning
Mobile learning is a way of accessing learning content through mobile devices. This method empowers flexibility in learning as learners can access content even on the go.
Mobile learning leverages the attachment to smartphones observed in the modern workforce. This innovative technique improves learner engagement, course completion, and knowledge retention. Mobile learning comprises microlearning content, social learning, and seamless access.
Gamification
Gamification is the use of game-like elements like awards, points, and trophies to boost learner engagement and recall. This technique enables learners to assess their learning progress through tests. It also fosters a competitive spirit as learners try to outdo one another on leaderboards. Gamification improves learner engagement by providing incentives for learners. It makes learning fun and rewarding while boosting productivity. Organizations that utilize gamification report an over 50% increase in productivity.
Microlearning
Most learners today favour quick courses that last less than five minutes. Delivering instructional material through brief units on a specific concept is known as microlearning.
The use of microlearning has significantly changed from being a supplemental program to a stand-alone corporate e-learning strategy. Instructors may adopt podcasts, videos, or voiceovers to deliver microlearning content. The main requirement is that these contents remain short.
Soft Skills Training
In light of the rise in automation, companies must leverage specific human skills like creativity, communication, and innovation to make workers more effective. Thus, organizations must provide employees with necessary soft skills training in line with the needs and goals of both the employees and the organization. Unlike technical skills, learning soft skills takes time and is continuous. In addition, the success of what has been learned can only be judged through its practical application.
Best Virtual Training Tips for Companies in 2024
Organizations today rely heavily on virtual training to deliver employee training content to remote teams dispersed across the world. Here are some training tips to give employees the most immersive virtual training experience;
- Enable flexibility in learning
- Utilize gamified learning to enhance engagement and motivation
- Apply spaced repetition in training content
- Encourage peer learning to build a collaborative learning environment
- Utilize simulations to improve understanding and engagement
- Use microlearning content delivered via mobile learning to boost engagement and retention
- Create interactive presentations for training web conferences
- Use learning management software to track learner’s progress
- Utilize video learning
What is the future of innovative training?
Workplace training is an ever-evolving process. What is trendy today may fade out in the future. The following trends are expected to dominate workplace training in the future;
AI in the workplace
Artificial intelligence, or AI, is already a common component of office training programs. Nearly all devices and services will soon be powered by artificial intelligence in some way. Chatbots are among the most widely used features of AI technology in corporate settings. Chatbots mimic human discussions helping to answer user queries on supported platforms. Organizations can save about $80 million a year in training and labor costs thanks to chatbots.
The number of organizations using chatbots and other AI technologies will skyrocket in the future. These technologies will be utilized to analyze and improve workflows and train employees. Meanwhile, lots of employee training will also focus on learning to build and train AI models for better accuracy.
Virtual Reality Training
Virtual reality training is an immersive learning experience utilizing simulated reality content. VR uses VR headsets, headphones, and controllers to enable the learner to interact with the simulated reality. Through the use of virtual reality, users can experience professional scenarios that would otherwise be expensive, risky, or impossible to replicate. It is a safe, efficient, and highly cost-effective training solution for businesses across many sectors, including healthcare, construction, and hospitality.
VR training enables employees to learn through practice. This process fastens the learning process and enhances memory and skill retention. In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of organizations using VR to improve the quality of workplace training. Given its possibilities, the demand for VR in the workplace is projected to rise astronomically. In the future, VR will constitute the mainstay in workplace training.
Redefine Workplace Training with Bites
The modern workforce is very different. Organizations can no longer rely on traditional employees training methods. Instead, innovative training techniques that offer convenience through self-paced learning must be embraced. These training innovations, such as mobile learning, microlearning, and gamification, help improve learners’ engagement and content retention. In the future, AI and VR technologies will dominate workplace learning.
At Bites, we offer unique tools to help redefine digital training in the workplace. Bites enable you to create bite-sized learning content to drive employee engagement. You can record new videos or compile a playlist of existing videos to teach new and existing hires needed skills. Bites also offer an interactive learning cycle where learners can share their questions, opinions, and experiences. You also get top-notch analytics to help you monitor learners’ progress. Sign up to Bites today, and make the onboarding and continuous training process hassle-free!