The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on the way training companies conduct business. Traditional training companies that relied on in-person, instructor-led training had to adapt quickly or risk falling behind. The sudden and widespread nature of the pandemic has drastically altered the work-life balance for many individuals. Despite efforts to curb its spread, the pandemic continues to impact communities globally and new variants are posing challenges for both vaccination efficacy and long-term protection.
Before the pandemic, most training companies relied on instructor-led training where trainers would physically visit organizations to deliver training. However, due to the pandemic and the need for social distancing, this approach has become less feasible.
As a result, training companies have been forced to adapt and many have turned to technology, specifically Learning Management Systems (LMS), to continue delivering training. By using an LMS, training companies can continue to provide training to their clients, either corporate clients in a business-to-business mode or directly to customers, without the need for face-to-face interaction.
This article highlights the importance of adapting to this change and why training companies who have adopted technology, such as an LMS, have seen greater success than those who have not.
Why do training organizations opt for the use of Learning Management Systems?
It is predicted that even after the end of the pandemic, a significant number of companies will maintain or continue to have a portion of their workforce work remotely or from home.
Even though office meetings have come to a halt and moved to virtual platforms like ZOOM or WebEx, companies still need to provide training for their current and future job responsibilities for their employees. The use of these virtual platforms has seen a significant increase, with 300 million daily meetings, but companies still require training for their staff. This is where training companies can use a learning management system (LMS) to reach employees working from home or remote locations and deliver their training content efficiently and effectively, regardless of location.
While different mediums for delivering training content have their pros and cons, using a high-quality LMS system offers more benefits than traditional methods.
Increase outreach
Organizations can connect with employees across broader geographical locations, including those who work remotely, at a more affordable cost. With the use of a well-designed Learning Management System (LMS), a training company can prepare for future changes in the training landscape. They can offer a combination of virtual live training during current circumstances and a blend of in-person classroom training, live virtual training, and self-paced digital training when conditions improve. This approach allows for greater flexibility, standardization, scalability, timeliness, and creativity in both online and offline training methods.
A mutually beneficial outcome for everyone involved:
With a top-notch LMS system in place, everyone comes out as a winner – the organization, its employees, and trainers alike.
The organizations are provided with a robust and expandable platform to communicate with their employees for orientation, certification, and engagement, which in turn helps retain them. Employees have access to updated information and the ability to connect with others while also having the opportunity to improve their skills and advance their careers, whether working from home or remotely. Everyone benefits from reduced travel costs, greater flexibility in terms of scheduling, the ability to measure the effectiveness of the training program, and access to standardized as well as customized content based on their specific needs. Trainers and training companies also benefit from being able to showcase their expertise through a digital platform in a more creative and efficient manner.
The Gen Y
According to research, by 2025, approximately 75% of the workforce will consist of individuals from this age group. This generation is proficient in utilizing technology, social media, and digital platforms. Hence, training companies can effectively reach this target demographic through a variety of mediums such as laptops, tablets, and even smartphones. This eliminates limitations such as location, time, and training delivery methods. A top-notch LMS offers both online and offline options to accommodate the needs of its users.
The extent and future direction
The digital learning industry is worth billions of dollars and is projected to exceed $300 billion by 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of remote work has further fueled this growth. For training companies, this represents a significant shift away from their conventional training methods, and embracing eLearning or digital learning offers a way to expand their reach on a global scale and gain a competitive edge. It is viewed as a future-proof step towards growth.
How to select the right LMS for training companies?
The selection of a suitable LMS is a crucial decision for training companies.
Those companies that have yet to adopt this technology need to understand the benefits that learning management systems can provide for their growth.
Training companies that are still uncertain about the use of this technology can test our LMS through a free trial or demo to see how it can align with both their organizational goals and their customers’ needs. The future of training is virtual, and taking advantage of this opportunity is just a click away.
By doing so, you can expand your customer base beyond geographical limitations and be a part of this rapidly growing industry worth billions of dollars.
