New corporate training trends are emerging at a rapid pace and businesses across the globe are keen to learn about what the future holds for employee training.
There are some noticeable shifts in the field of corporate training. Compartmentalized trainings are a passé now and are being replaced with on-the-job training with immediate application.
Technology has seeped into every aspect of our lives with smartphones integrating our lives like never before. In alignment with this trend the upcoming corporate training initiatives are emphasizing holistic and integrated training opportunities with a focus on microlearning.
Here are the 10 emerging trends to look out for: -
1. Microlearning
Microlearning plays a huge part in corporate training and is predicted to maintain its firm grip, providing employees with vital information or instruction chunked into manageable pieces that can be immediately applied to a task or project. This trend will be further gaining momentum in the coming years.
2. Artificially Intelligent Content
Artificially intelligent content delivery that is in sync with your employees’ corporate training needs is also trending making employee training more personalized and individualized. Gamification is a good example of adaptive content delivery which basically studies learner behavior to keep training fresh and stimulating.
3. Geofencing
Geofencing is one of the latest trends in training and development which uses your smartphone or other device to deliver chunks of job-related training and development just when you are looking for it. Cellphone technology tracks your location to provide you with just the information you need for a specific job. It is done by designating specific spaces as zones, target specific users within those zones where specific content is delivered to the devices of those when they enter that zone.
4. Individualized Training
These days employees come with different interests, aspirations and training needs showcasing variations which vehemently negate one-size-fits-all approach. This has led to one of the growing corporate training trends – an individualized approach to training that provides employees the flexibility to design their own learning. A good LMS that offers a choice of trainings for employees is a must for this kind of training.
5. VR and AR
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality seem to be the future of corporate training. Already an established training tool in industries like pilot training and other simulators, VR is entering new domains as a way to practice a skill before it actually needs to be applied. Augmented Reality is beneficial in customer service, healthcare and many more. VR provides the opportunity to employees to sample important skills with minimal risk.
6. Improvisation in Instructional Design
One of the corporate training trends gaining popularity is the rise of improvisation in instructional design. This uses only materials readily available in a given space to design instruction and covers many aspects other than just teaching skills or facts like problem solving and teamwork, two of the vital soft skills.
7. Soft Skills Training
Soft skills are garnering a lot of attention and training for soft skills is becoming imperative to the success of businesses. As per Deloitte's Global Human Capital Trends report, over 90% of executives rated soft skills as a priority for their employees. LinkedIn research also identified soft skills as the number one training priority among CEOs. Soft skills will be an indispensable part of the future workplace training.
8. Online Mentorship Programs
Online mentorship programs are gaining popularity and can be conducted either through company or externally to teach fresh graduates the application of skills they acquired in colleges but have little understanding of its application in the real world. These online programs are effective for many millennials and Gen Z workers aiding them to increase their productivity and chances of success.
9. Data Analytics to measure ROI of Training
Companies are resorting to data analytics tools to know the actual ROI of their learning initiatives and make a strategic investment plan. This trend has been around for some time and is predicted to gain strength in the coming years as a tool to help streamline the reporting process.
10. Training can be positioned as a Benefit
Companies are keen to position training employee as part of the benefits package and accordingly are working on the quality and relevance of the training itself. They want to convey the message that on-the-job training can help employees develop their skills and advance their careers, all on company time and absolutely free of cost.
Written By : Dr Sanjib Chakraborty