If you run a business with dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of employees, trying to keep them all trained and certified on an ongoing basis can be a huge time-suck and headache. But the right online training can make this a non-issue.
Making the Case for Online Training
When it comes to training, you have no shortage of options. There are in-person training solutions – which include both on-site and off-site options. Then, there are online options. And while there are certainly some advantages that come with in-person training, they typically pale in comparison to the benefits of online training.
As you explore online employee training and certification for your organization, here are a few specific benefits you can expect to enjoy:
1. Flexibility and Accessibility for Employees
One of the greatest advantages of online training is its flexibility. Traditional training often requires employees to attend in-person sessions, which can disrupt their work schedules and personal lives. But with online training, employees can access the materials anytime, anywhere. This allows them to complete the necessary training at their own pace, whether it’s during work hours or at home in the evening.
Online training platforms give employees the freedom to learn on their terms – which is a huge benefit. They can revisit sections they find challenging and move quickly through content they’re already familiar with. This self-paced learning approach can result in better retention and understanding of the material, making it a win-win for both employees and employers.
2. Cost-Effectiveness and Efficiency
When it comes to training and certification, cost is always a concern. Traditional training programs often involve expenses like travel, venue rentals, printed materials, and instructor fees. These costs can quickly add up, especially if you have a large number of employees to train. Online training, on the other hand, is far more cost-effective and scalable.
With online employee training, you can eliminate many of these expenses. There’s no need for travel, no need to rent spaces, and no printed materials to distribute. All the content is provided digitally, which reduces costs significantly. Plus, once the online training program is developed, you can use it repeatedly for different groups of employees without incurring additional costs.
The time savings associated with online training shouldn’t be underestimated. For example, companies like CertifyMeOnline.net can get employees certified for things like Aerial Lift in less than an hour, while being 100 percent OSHA compliant.
3. Consistency in Training Across the Workforce
When you conduct in-person training sessions, there’s always the possibility that the quality and consistency of the information delivered can vary depending on the instructor, the day, or even the specific session. Online training solves this issue by providing standardized content across the board. Every employee, regardless of location, receives the same material in the same format.
This consistency ensures that all employees are trained to the same standard, which can be particularly important when dealing with compliance regulations or industry-specific certifications. Whether you’re training a small group of employees or an entire department across multiple locations, online platforms provide a level of uniformity that’s hard to achieve with traditional methods.
4. Tracking and Reporting for Accountability
One of the challenges of traditional training is that it can be difficult to keep track of who has completed the training, how well they performed, and whether they need additional support. Online training platforms come with built-in tracking and reporting tools that make this process easier.
You can monitor each employee’s progress, check whether they’ve completed the required modules, and even see how they performed on quizzes or assessments. This ensures that no one slips through the cracks and allows you to provide targeted support to those who may need extra help. On top of this, having a digital record of training completion is very helpful when it comes to meeting compliance requirements and demonstrating to regulators that your employees are properly trained.
5. Easy Updates and Scalability
Regulations and best practices are constantly evolving. This means that training programs need to be updated regularly to stay current. Traditional training methods make this process cumbersome and expensive, as you have to reprint materials, rebook venues, and retrain instructors. But with online training, updates are as simple as editing a digital document or adding a new module.
This scalability also makes online training ideal for businesses of all sizes. Whether you have a small team of employees or a global workforce, online training platforms can easily accommodate any number of participants. As your business grows, your training program can grow with it – without the need for significant logistical changes.
6. Accessibility to a Wider Range of Learning Tools
With online training, employees aren’t limited to lectures or printed materials. Multimedia tools such as videos, interactive quizzes, and simulations can be incorporated into the training program to engage different types of learners. Some employees may absorb information better through visual aids, while others might benefit from interactive scenarios that allow them to apply what they’ve learned.
With varied learning methods, you usually get better knowledge retention and higher engagement levels. Employees are more likely to stay focused and interested in the content when it’s presented in a dynamic and engaging way, making the training process more effective.
Putting it All Together
Online training isn’t perfect for every situation, but it does yield a number of powerful benefits and advantages for organizations that are looking for a more flexible solution than in-person training and certification. At the very least, you should give it some consideration moving forward!
