For any person or business to succeed in today’s society, there has to be a willingness to change. When looking at the combination of a tightening labor market and the ever-changing need for new and more advanced talent, it is easy to understand why gaps in skills are on the rise. For businesses to stay ahead of the fierce competition, fill critical positions, and maintain their most talented employees, they recognize that they are facing an uphill battle.

One way to overcome these challenges involves leaders taking advantage of opportunities for both employee achievement and growth. This is the point where eLearning comes into play. LinkedIn, a website dedicated to helping leaders in the workforce connect, conducted a study that revealed some fascinating results.

49 percent of workers prefer to learn when the need arises

58 percent of workers prefer opportunities to work at a pace that fits their schedule

68 percent of workers prefer to learn while at or as part of work

Business leaders have a vital role in designing and developing strategies that will shape the workplace, while at the same time, delivering extremely relevant content that supports the needs of today’s employees. What does that mean? Leaders need to understand the value of building trusted relationships with workers. The best way to accomplish that is by offering online training courses so they can help employees prepare for the constant changes within the work environment.

In other words, today’s leaders need to become talent developers. In addition to hiring highly skilled employees, companies need ways to enhance the capabilities of the leadership team, which in turn, advances workers in their respective roles. To work in the role of a talent developer, leaders need to focus on several specific areas, including the following.

Soft skill automation is growing at a fast pace. Because of that, talent developers need to make this their No. 1 focus. With online training, employees become more skilled at problem-solving, communication, adaptability, and leadership. Maintaining technical fluency accomplishes two goals: it empowers workers who then feel more motivated on the job, and it supports business growth.

Although talent developers spend more time on soft skill automation, that does not mean they should ignore hard skills. For this, it is essential for leaders to identify the hard skills most in demand for their company and industry, followed by selecting online training courses accordingly.

Online training makes a dramatic difference in how employees balance the challenges they currently face with exciting opportunities in the future. Unfortunately, some talent developers focus solely on skills required today as a way of preventing future skill gaps. However, it is just as important for them to identify industry trends that will affect the future. By combining the two, talent developers can devise a more effective strategy to prevent skill gaps in the workplace.

As the need for multi-generational and diverse employees increases, talent developers also need to provide employees with more eLearning opportunities. Remember the statistics provided by LinkedIn? Because a high number of workers want to work at a pace they feel comfortable with and learn when the need arises, utilizing online training courses proves to be a crucial part of the overall strategy.

According to the Association for Talent Development, of today’s companies, as much as 90 percent rely on online training courses. Because of that, eLearning has grown by leaps and bounds, making it possible for talent developers to offer what employees want and need.

Another interesting study found that if an employer offered online training, as many as 94 percent of the workers would stay loyal to the company for a long time. However, when you factor in the other statistic that 68 percent of workers prefer to learn while at or as part of work, it becomes evident that talent developers need to create programs and set time aside to allow that to happen.

Especially with multiple responsibilities at work and home, people have little time to attend school. Online training solves this problem. Not only does eLearning allow employees to become better in the jobs they currently do, but it prepares them for future opportunities within the company. For the employer, that equates to holding onto incredible skill instead of employees leaving for better jobs.

Turning your leadership team to qualified talent developers is one of the best decisions you can make for your employees and your business. Regardless of the size of your company or its industry, competition today is at an all-time high. That means if you want to hold onto talent and see growth, you have to have people onboard dedicated to making that happen.

Measuring the success of your talent and your employees’ response to and interaction with eLearning is a valuable tool. Just as you use analytics to determine both strong and weak areas of your company’s website, you need to do the same with online learning.

As part of this, you want to measure the retention of information provided through eLearning, as well as employee turnover. Using the data gathered, you can determine if the current program works or if it needs modifying. If the retention rate is down and turnover up, it might come down to choosing different courses and adjusting the schedule for employees to complete them.

You need to set several goals for the talent developers in your organization. They need to create and develop a strategic learning program, one that motivates employees and helps the business grow. They should use eLearning as a way of finding incredibly skilled new hires while at the same time, keeping the talent already employed. Talent developers should also identify industry trends, allowing them to get ahead of the curve instead of behind it.

The great thing about eLearning is that not only does it give you a stronger employee base that consists of individuals capable of meeting demand, but it is also an excellent tool for your talent developers. With an abundance of courses available, both company executives and lower level workers benefit. It all comes down to selecting the right courses.

Keep in mind that eLearning is not a one-time deal but a consistent offering to every level of your organization. For talent developers, ongoing training becomes even more critical. In addition to getting workers motivated and qualified, your top leadership team can use eLearning to keep themselves focused and result-driven.

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Why eLearning is transforming talent development

Proven Methods for Improving Your Training

If the second half of 2018 is anything like the first, the number of people who take advantage of online training courses will reach new heights. When it comes to eLearning, top educational experts agree that the remainder of 2018 will see significant growth. When comparing 2017 to this year, it is evident that more people want to participate in Internet learning opportunities.

Of course, it is essential that you take the right training courses, offered by a source that you can trust. Go1 has become the hub for superior-quality courses for individuals interested in learning new things or honing existing skills. In fact, it is the number one source for upskilling, as well as educating you and your staff on various compliance topics.

One thing that makes this source unique from others is that industry experts develop and often, present the courses. That means for every topic, especially compliance issues, you learn from the best. You can start learning to become an inspirational leader today by going through a seamless enrollment process. With that complete, you can then log in to the Go1 Premium website and start taking whatever training courses you want.

Although you can select from an abundance of topics, when searching for those deemed the best for government entities and positions, three, in particular, stand out.

1.     Skillboosters – The Diversity Challenge

As you might already know, diversity is the celebration of different values and show of respect for others in the workplace, whether the owner, a manager, or co-workers. Respect should even extend to others who are connected with the government agency where you work, including contractors and vendors.

You can complete The Diversity Challenge training course by dedicating just 1 hour of your time and using a computer system that has Flash Player 8 or higher installed. With those two things, combined with a desire to learn, you will gain tremendous insight on how to embrace diversity instead of fighting it.

Although this 1-hour online session covers many different topics, it focuses on a few specific factors. For starters, the presenter offers an easy-to-understand definition of the word, “diversity.” The expert also addresses the benefits of a diverse workforce, viable methods for actively supporting diversity at work, the key to managing diversity in the workplace, and methods for developing diverse products and services.

Also covered in this training course are the reasons behind instances of harassment and discrimination, and how to identify and remedy them. Wait, there is even more. Probably one of the most critical aspects of this course involves learning the proper way to eliminate unhelpful filters during the recruitment process. With that, you can select the right talent for your agency.

By investing just 1 hour of your time, you will gain an entirely new appreciation for diversity and how it plays a vital role at work. Through this course, you can then train others. Although the best time to introduce and support diversity at work is immediately after hiring someone, you can still offer classes or documentation to your existing employees. Ultimately, everyone has the same information and understanding.

When applied, you can expect to see improved employee morale, fewer internal conflicts, and a smoother operation overall. Not only will your workers enjoy a healthy environment but from their improved attitude and behavior, your customers will find it more satisfying to do business with your government agency.

2.     Skillsoft – Facing and Resolving Conflict in the Workplace

While it would be nice to think that everyone in your business gets along, the truth is that your agency, like many others, probably has some level of conflict going on. Even a small amount of discord would create chaos in the work environment, which will eventually trickle down to the customer’s experience.

Even if you are one of the fortunate businesses where everything runs smoothly, you will benefit significantly by taking an online training course that focuses on facing and resolving workplace conflict. Instead of turning a blind eye to potential problems, you will learn how to identify issues and resolve them quickly, thereby preventing a more serious situation from developing.

Sometimes, conflict is nothing more than two people with different ideas or opinions. Other times, it reaches the level of harassment and even bullying. For your government agency to thrive, there is no room for conflict of any kind or on any level. As someone in a position of leadership and authority, it is your responsibility to know what to look for that constitutes “conflict,” as well as the appropriate way to deal with it early on.

3.     Skillsoft – Being an Inspiring Leader

Does the phrase “lead by example” sound familiar? The fact is you want a team that performs at a high level, engages the customer, and produces results. For you to accomplish those goals, you need to become an inspiring leader. You may not realize it, but your employees watch everything you do and say, good and bad. The best leaders, regardless of the type of government agency, know how to inspire their teams through integrity, character, and credibility.

Instead of wishing you could be more inspirational to your employees, do something about it. With multiple online training courses from a respected source, you can learn how to create a strong community within the workplace and share your vision of success with your employees.

With this particular course, you will learn how to become an inspiring leader. This covers many different topics, including building character, adopting or honing the correct traits and behaviors, and what your role as an inspirational leader entails. Through clear leadership, credible actions, and persuasive messages, virtually anything is possible. Remember, when using the right tactics, your inspiration becomes infectious.

Today, online education is a viable option for people interested in learning, whether to add a new skill to their resume or refine an existing one. Although e-learning benefits virtually anyone and any industry, it is especially critical for the world of IT.

Considering that IT departments around the globe have the responsibility of overseeing the installation and maintenance of computer network systems that change frequently, and often dramatically, anyone involved with this field must stay on point. After all, the computer system is the heart of the business. Whether a single IT expert or an entire team of specialists, not having the skill to ensure optimal functionality of these systems would prove disastrous to the company.

Now more than ever, IT is a vital component of any company. For businesses to stay competitive, they must have two primary things, an excellent product or service and a state-of-the-art IT department. Thanks to online training opportunities, someone interested in working in IT or who already has a job in this area but wants to advance can. It all comes down to using online education to stay ahead of the ever-changing curve.

While it is true that online training is an excellent way to advance a career in IT, it is essential to select the right source. After all, organizations that provide e-learning opportunities are different. This is why you need one that has a wealth of available courses specific to things that go on within an IT department and the IT market itself, all created by top industry experts.

IT Security Primer – With this course, you would learn how to identify effective security controls in conjunction with desktop management policies to provide your employer with optimal protection against outside threats. This training course also teaches effective IT security measures that you can implement to increase the level of computer system protection.

Information Security Awareness – This training course is yet another option that will give you a boost in building your IT career.

Data Privacy and Information Security – This particular online training course covers several important topics relating to IT, including asset protection, information security, and data privacy. With your newly developed knowledge, you will find yourself in a better position to protect your employer’s confidential and personal information.

Another exciting thing about using online education to position yourself for success in the IT field is that you can choose online training courses specific to an industry. Although there are similarities in the work performed in all IT departments, there are some differences based on the type of company.

If you work for a bank, credit union, or some other financial institution and want to move up in the IT department, IT Security for Banks is an outstanding course. The primary objective of this course is to teach participants how to develop an IT security plan that addresses three specific areas of vulnerability for this industry. It also covers how to apply a proven five-step system development cycle, and how to spot red flags when screening vendors and contractors.

Along with IT-related courses, you should consider education that focuses on management skills. As part of advancing your IT career, you want to become an all-around balanced individual with superior leadership skills. With online education, you can accomplish that goal by taking courses specific to learning effective management styles, improving on communication, peacefully and fairly resolving conflict, and more.

As the demand for highly qualified IT experts continues to rise, if you do not invest in learning, someone else will come along and either take your job or the higher position you wanted. All you need to stay relevant in IT is to keep learning. Because courses through a reputable source are so affordable and many take less than an hour to complete, you can take the initiative outside of work. That alone will show your employer how serious you are about moving up.

The best way to get ahead in your IT position is to visit Go1. We offer an almost endless list of topics that could help you become more successful. Developed by leading experts in the field of IT, you will learn from the best. Now is the perfect time to act, not just for you, but for your current employer and future employers.

Does online IT training help advance careers?

Apprenticeship programs allow workers to acquire the skills and knowledge they need in their field, while bringing a number of business benefits to employers.

As an employer, you’re responsible for providing your apprentices with employment for the duration of their apprenticeship. You also need to ensure you have the right resources to deliver effective work-based training and development to each apprentice.

How do you train the apprentices in your organisation? Or how do you plan to provide training, in your new apprenticeship program?

Traditionally, apprentices would learn through face-to-face, hands-on training and mentoring. These days, thanks to technology, more companies are using online training methods as part of their apprenticeship program.

Here, we look at the benefits of using eLearning to deliver high-quality training and development to apprentices.

Online learning – flexible, engaging and cost-effective

Online learning is a great way to make sure your apprentices are acquiring the right type of skills and knowledge. In fact, many companies, large and small, have switched to eLearning for staff training, as an alternative to traditional teaching methods.

The best thing about eLearning is that training is no longer confined to the classroom or conference. With eLearning, individuals can log into online training courses and modules whenever they like, wherever they like. Many online courses are also able to be accessed through mobile-friendly apps and devices, making eLearning even more convenient for users.

You might also be pleasantly surprised to see just how cost-effective eLearning is for your business. eLearning can save you considerable amounts of money in comparison to traditional training methods. By using online materials to train your staff, you’ll eliminate costs such as trainer and speaker rates, conference or room hire, staff transport and catering. And when you make changes and updates to your learning materials online, there is also no need to re-print materials, making eLearning not only cheaper but also greener!

Choose from off-the-shelf or fully customisable eLearning courses

Keen to learn more about how online training can work for your apprentices, and your business?

With eLearning, you can choose between off-the-shelf courses, or a customised online training program. Off-the-shelf eLearning courses are those that are already created, easy to purchase and ready to roll out to your apprentices, making them a great solution for training in subjects such as onboarding, compliance and workplace safety.

You also have the option of creating your own customised, tailored training program, with bespoke eLearning courses that have been designed for the specific needs of your apprentices. Using the Go1 platform, you can quickly and easily compile your own custom content for apprentice training. The eLearning tool also allows you to upload existing training materials, supporting a wide range of files and making course creation even easier.

Provide real world experience for apprentices

Christopher Pappas, founder of The eLearning Industry’s Network, recommends incorporating real world examples and case studies into your apprentice training program, to allow employees the chance to see how everything they've learned can benefit them in the workplace.

Pappas believes eLearning is the best way to provide apprentices with a broad range of online training resources. “From interactive scenarios and serious games to virtual presentations, employees have access to a variety of online resources,” he says.

With eLearning, apprentices can “login to the online training platform and immediately view product information, task tutorials, and skill-based simulations.” In this way, apprentices are getting the personalised online training they need, regardless of their preferences or learning needs.

Create clear, consistent training materials

When you start using eLearning, you’ll have peace of mind that all your training content is consistent – in terms of branding, strategic direction and writing style. Each apprentice will have access to the same materials, regardless of their geographical location. This has a significant advantage over classroom learning, in which content may differ greatly depending on the delivery of each trainer.

In addition to this, eLearning content can easily be updated at any time. You’ll save time and money on updates to training content, as you simply make any changes online and publish immediately across the system. This provides your company with a long-lasting online training solution that you can continually revise, update, and use for years to come.

With such easy-to-use online course creation, you can have fully branded, customised training materials ready to roll out to your apprentices in no time.

The benefits of using eLearning for apprentice training

Performance and productivity are two words likely to keep senior managers awake at night, as a focus on improvement is no longer optional if organisations want to survive and thrive.

Many organisations recognise that they need to engender a High-Performance culture throughout the organisation, with team leaders required to focus on which team members will work together productively enabling them to achieve great results.

Historically, teams have tended to be small, however, in our online-centric world, teams have grown dramatically, particularly those that are “virtual” in nature.

Believing team leadership is the key to success, MicroLearn embraces the ideas of leadership author, Gary Yukl, who wrote: “a shared process of enhancing the collective and individual capacity of people to accomplish their work roles effectively… the leadership actions of any individual leader are much less important than the collective leadership provided by members of the organisation”

Providing learning content via a resource library, MicroLearn’s courses can be used both for reflection and as a just-in-time learning tool, available at the team’s fingertips and designed to fit around their work flow.

The library helps encourage improved teamwork through the sharing of ideas, debate, collaboration, decision-making and dealing with changing priorities as well as the establishment and achievement of team goals.

In fact, MicroLearn’s suite of Leadership content helps leaders hone the three essential skills groups:

Task Skills—The ability to set goals, establish priorities, assign roles and responsibilities, plan and run effective meetings, and monitor results,

People Skills—The ability to connect with people, resolve conflicts, motivate, and celebrate success,

Diagnostic Skills—The ability to diagnose situations and determine what’s needed to progress.

In addition, MicroLearn’s catalogue also features courses on teamwork, personal development and team management as it looks to support both the team and High Performance Team Processes (communicating, making decisions and accountability).

As your high performing team seeks further challenges, pushes for increased performance goals and demands a higher level of performance from each other, ensure you’re supporting their development with MicroLearn.

For more information on how we can help support your organisation’s workplace wellbeing requirements, or to discover more about other ranges in the MicroLearn catalogue, enquire about Go1 Premium today!

Tracy Capaldi-Drewett is the Group Commercial Director at Microlearn. 

For more insights, subscribe to the Go1 newsletter to stay on top of all the latest L&D trends. Or, you can book a demo today to find out how Go1 can help with your team’s learning needs.

MicroLearn - Creating and maintaining high performers - Go1

MicroLearn – a vital ingredient for creating and maintaining high performing teams

With a stabilized economy, many industries now experience substantial growth. Among those is retail. For 2018 alone, experts predict this market will see a healthy increase between 3.2 and 3.8 percent. Obviously, this is an exciting time to have a retail business. But it’s also a time when proper staff training could not be more important.

No matter the type of product you sell or whether you have an online presence in addition to a brick and mortar location, you vie for many of the same customers as your competitors. That means to enjoy company growth and increased generated revenue, it is imperative that you sell an incredible product and have an extremely competent sales staff.

Dealing with Angry Customers – Even when providing superior service, facing disgruntled customers is inevitable. Depending on the individual and the situation, things could become hostile quickly. Fortunately, there are excellent online courses that offer training for this type of scenario. Your staff will learn that a customer’s anger is more about frustration and that at no time should they take harsh words personally. With a few simple strategies, your employees can calm an otherwise negative situation.

Solving Problems – Solving problems in your retail store goes beyond dissatisfied customers. With proper training, your staff will know how to recognize a conflict of any kind, followed by taking the appropriate steps for a positive resolution. Many of these online courses focus on day-to-day challenges that arise, not just conflict. With training, your employees become more empowered and motivated to solve issues correctly without always running to management.

Motivating Customers – There are even online courses that will help your retail staff motivate customers. With a little bit of persuasion, you will see an increase in sales and a higher level of customer loyalty. Using insider marketing tips gained from online training, your staff can sway customers into buying or returning for additional purchases without them even knowing it.

Working Efficiently – Although hard work goes a long way in the retail industry, your employees might ultimately waste time, effort, and money. With the right online courses, your employees will gain insight into making their efforts more efficient. In addition to boosting sales, they will feel more accomplished in their jobs.

Leadership and Management – When positions open for a leadership or management position in your company, you want trained employees who can step in and take over. Thanks to multiple courses that focus specifically on this arena, you can promote the right employees and see both company and personal growth.

Listening Skills – While everyone hears what you say, not all of your staff listens. A lack of listening skills is a common problem, especially in the retail industry. After completing one or more online training courses, your staff will never again miss important clues from customers or vital messages from management. While your employees become more efficient, your customers feel appreciated and respected. Developing good listening skills is a win-win solution for everyone.

Enhanced Technology – You can use online courses to bring a new employee up to speed on the system you use in your retail store or to help an existing staff member hone his or her skills. Remember, the faster and more efficient an employee is when checking customers out, the more likely it is for those people to return for additional purchases at some point.

Risk Management and Safety – There is no question that one of the most critical of all online training courses for your retail staff has to do with risk management and on-the-job safety. With this, your employees will learn how to spot potential issues and the appropriate ways to deal with them. In the retail industry, criminals use a myriad of techniques to steal merchandise. For a smaller company, even a minor theft could prove devastating. As for safety, it is important for your staff to recognize warning signs for their protection and that of the customers.

Big Ticket Items – When it comes to retail, there is a significant difference in selling clothes versus big-ticket items like cars, boats, high-dollar computer systems, and so on. In exchange for spending a lot of money, customers have a much higher expectation from the staff. If your company sells big-ticket items, it is essential to provide your employees with specialized training. In addition to gaining a wealth of knowledge about the business itself, they will learn the proper way to approach customers, how to dress, and the language to use.

Top courses all retail staff should complete

You’ve invested in a good CRM software program for your company – but are your employees using the system in the most effective way? And to its full potential?

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems can often be underestimated, when in fact, they are a very valuable sales tool when used correctly.

If adopted and used correctly, a CRM system is guaranteed to boost the performance of any sales team.

It will help your sales team store and present data, optimise selling, and monitor staff performance. And when used effectively, the software should enable your employees to take better control of their work activities, improving productivity and time management.

However, using a CRM system without proper training can sometimes cause more problems than not using one in the first place. That’s why employee training is absolutely key to getting the most out of your CRM.

Here’s why you need to make sure you’re providing proper CRM training to your sales team.

Your CRM system should help to boost sales performance. Yet problems can arise if staff members are forgetting or failing to fill in fields correctly. Or when things are simply not being kept up-to-date.

According to a recent article, just over a third (35%) of CRM users cite technology issues, such as data problems, functional shortfalls and poor usability. The same study found that 38% of CRM users believe their problems are the result of people issues, including slow user adoption, poor change management and training.

Some employees may think that using a CRM simply creates more unnecessary work for their role, as filling out forms about customers requires a certain amount of time. They could feel that the CRM tasks are keeping them from their main job – selling. Others view CRMs as just another way for their bosses to keep track of staff and are reluctant to use them.

Without proper training, employees may fail to see the significant benefits a good CRM can bring to their daily work tasks, as well as their sales career.

There’s no doubt that introducing new working processes and practices can be tricky, but it’s important to put in time and energy, to help employees learn and embrace the new system.

Ongoing CRM training is the best solution to overcome any change resistant behaviour or negative attitudes towards the product.

Through training, your sales team can begin to appreciate the following benefits of using a CRM system:

Your CRM safely stores all your customer-related data, allowing your team to analyse and understand your customers’ needs, with everything kept meticulously up-to-date.

It frees up your sales teams from the majority of admin tasks, by reducing and even removing certain repetitive actions that take up a lot of time.

The system helps staff to plan out their daily schedules and prioritise tasks, ensuring customer are contacted on time and as planned.

CRMs track all customer communication, letting you know the right time to contact individuals for product replacement, contract renewal, or a new product or service.

The system helps streamline the entire sales cycle, resulting in closing deals in your sales pipeline and helping everyone in the team to reach targets faster.

With proper training, sales staff will be able to use the system to its full potential and take advantage of these benefits, and many more.

Research firm Forrester believes companies must view CRM training as a continuous improvement process.

As the Forrester reports states: “Traditional training methods will not work in an age where sales staff can use online services and data sources to build customer relationships. To make the most of your CRM system, your firm must adopt a proactive approach to training that uses on-demand, interactive tools.”

Relying on traditional classroom-style learning simply isn’t the best approach for CRM technology – staff really need to get into using the system in a hands-on way. And online courses provide the interactive, engaging training methods that are your best bet when it comes to CRMs.

One of the best ways to ensure successful CRM training is to use an interactive online course. Online training courses will teach staff to not only use the CRM effectively, but help them to make the most of the system to get top results.

Take a look at the Go1 platform, to see the CRM training courses we have to offer for your team.

Is your sales team using their CRM effectively?

Most companies are made up of employees of various ages and backgrounds, with staff members of different generations working together in the one organisation.

Think about your various teams for a minute – you most likely have a number of Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and millennials working together, bringing a diverse mix of experience, knowledge and skills to the business.

As beneficial as this is for your company, a multi-generational workforce can sometimes make learning and development programs a little tricky, due to differences in learning styles and technological abilities.

While younger team members might prefer high-tech, independent training methods, older staff may need something more traditional and trainer-led. And unfortunately, the more mature generation of workers can sometimes be forgotten when we look at how learning and learning technology benefits employees.

That’s why it’s so important to make sure your training materials are engaging and effective for all generations, including older team members.

Here, we look at how you can use online courses to successfully train older workers, and why eLearning is such an effective training solution for learners of all generations.

A large sector of today’s workforce, being middle-aged or older, are from the 1946 to 1964 generation – more commonly known as the Baby Boomers. It’s unwise to assume that this generation is averse to technology, as many Boomers are in fact very tech savvy!

However, unlike millennials, or even Gen X, the older generation haven’t grown up with tech devices playing a large role in everyday life. So they still have quite a different mindset when it comes to learning.

And with the ongoing digitisation of workplaces around the world, older workers may struggle to keep pace with rapid change and new technologies.

eLearning, through online training courses, provides companies with a very practical and accessible way for employees to keep their skills up-to-date.

HR and Safety Manager Liza Jones believes eLearning is “a great way to address the de-skilling that can occur if a mature-age worker is in the same role for an extended period of time.”

When introducing online training to older team members, Jones recommends talking about the benefits for employees in updating their skills – such as feeling more confident, capable and satisfied in their roles.

“Mindset and attitude are extremely important when you’re presenting eLearning to your mature-age workforce for the first time. Although it’s important to talk about how eLearning will make your organisation more successful, it’s just as important to show .”

The benefits of online training for the boomer generation

So what exactly are the benefits of eLearning and online training?

With online learning, you’ll find you can give employees the flexibility, autonomy, customisation and engagement they want and need – regardless of age.

A good learning management system will allow you to create custom content, specific to your audience and their training needs. This way, your eLearning courses can be designed to perfectly fit your target audience, allowing you to tailor online courses specifically to your business and workforce.

Older workers will embrace eLearning when the online materials are intuitive, user-friendly and easy to navigate. Make sure your course can be navigated easily, without frustration. You might like to check out our tips for good eLearning course design, to help you design online materials in the best way possible for your learners.

As we said above, eLearning allows you to easily tweak and tailor your training materials to perfectly suit your learning audience – whatever age they may be.

The Go1 platform allows you to create the exact courses you need for your employee training needs, whether it’s for onboarding, professional development or workplace compliance.

Make sure you’re providing online training that is ongoing and consistent, for all workers. And continue to promote the benefits of continual learning for your employees. With engaged, productive and motivated employees, you can expect to see a more positive workforce and better results for your business.

Teaching new technology to older workers through eLearning

Today, many companies require certain people to have a certification before they hire them. In fact, for some careers, positions mandate certification.

Take the medical field as a prime example. To work as a certified nursing aide, individuals must complete all required courses, pass exams, and earn a certificate to show they gained both the knowledge and understanding required to perform the various tasks of the position. Another example is an ASE-certified technician. That certification provides evidence that people completing the necessary courses know how to adhere to ASE standards when working on vehicles.

However, along with certification, training is just as critical. Especially when a job does not require certification, training is what makes a particular candidate stand out to a potential employer. Someone who finishes training courses shows they not only have knowledge and understanding but also drive.

After all, to complete training courses requires a commitment of time, effort, and finances. A company eager to hire the best talent possible recognizes that, helping with their decision-making process regarding who to hire. An employee taking the initiative to better themselves speaks volumes about an individual’s character and dedication, two things that top companies look for in a candidate.

If you want to enter a specific field or further your existing career, it is essential to remember that training carries just as much weight as earning a certificate. As mentioned, for some jobs, you may need to complete a certification program. If not, you should go through training and add it to your resume. That will go a long way in helping you achieve your long-term goal.

To better understand just how critical training is for most jobs today, think about an airplane pilot. An individual could earn hundreds of certificates, showing he or she studied hard and learned a lot. However, that person has never actually flown a plane. On the other hand, if the same person went through extensive training, you would end up with a pilot who has experience, someone you want in the cockpit when traveling by air.

You can apply this same situation to virtually any job. Training does not diminish the importance of the certificates required for a specific position, but without it, there is a significant void. As someone interested in going far in life, it is important that you look at things from the hiring company’s perspective.

For instance, most business managers want to hire qualified candidates. That means if two people apply for the same position, one with the right qualifications and the other without, you can guess which one the company will choose. However, many business managers are willing to hire under-qualified people. Remember, “under-qualified” does not automatically make someone “unqualified.”

Say an individual with 20 plus years of computer programming experience applies for a position with a tech company. However, during the interview, the hiring company realizes the candidate does not have strong skills in the specific type of computer language needed. However, with an abundance of experience in other programming languages, a strong work ethic, and a desire to learn, it makes perfect sense to hire that person and invest in further training.

Although there is a financial responsibility involved with training, it pays off. Whether you have one or more certificates, if you want to bolster the chance of a company hiring you or enhance your career opportunities, training is vital, whether you take control or go through courses set up by the company that hires you.

The following are five reasons why training in the business world often proves more vital than certifications:

Employee Satisfaction – Employees with proper training feel confident in their work. They tend to be overachievers who work hard to meet, if not exceed, their employer’s expectations. With training, workers also have a more personal investment in the success of the business.

Higher Production – Employees who go through quality training not only produce at a higher rate but also perform optimally.

Enhanced Efficiency – With the right training, workers are highly efficient in their jobs, thereby making fewer mistakes.

Reduced Expenses – Trained employees reduce operating costs associated with repeating a task caused by an error.

Loyal Customers – Because proper training enhances performance and lowers cost, customer satisfaction increases. The happier customers are, the longer they will continue doing business with a company they trust and respect.

Is training more critical than certifications? Not necessarily for some careers. At the same time, training carries a lot of weight if you want the right job, one you can succeed at and advance in. Overall, training is just as important as certification, even for certifiable positions like nursing aids and ASE technicians, among others.

With available online courses from a reputable source, all affordably priced, there is no excuse not to complete education yourself or take advantage of opportunities provided by the company that hires you. Along with a company hiring you over another candidate, online training gives you the chance to advance quickly. You will gain a wealth of knowledge while proving that you have the drive to be a leader within the organization.

For companies that want excellent talent, training means a lot. To make a quick and lasting impression, complete courses applicable to your career choice, and then update your resume to highlight them. Also, as you seek employment, focus on businesses that make ongoing education part of their programs.

Why training carries as much weight as certification in the business world

These days, more organisations are looking for employees with a good combination of ‘hard’ technical skills and ‘soft’ interpersonal skills. Yet a massive 80% of employers are struggling to find graduates with the soft skills they need.

Across many industries, managers and employers are expressing frustration at the lack of soft skills in younger workers – skills such as communication, critical thinking, attitude, and accountability.

Different from technical or functional skills, ‘soft skills’ are considered very valuable to employers, as they add to the overall functioning of your team, or the experience of your customer. In fact, it’s often the soft skills that matter when employees are being hired and fired.

As more organisations are recognising the value of soft skills, it’s really important that employees of all ages cultivate and develop these qualities in the workplace. For employers, bridging the soft skills gap will greatly benefit your business, with more productive, motivated and engaged workers achieving better results.

Let’s look closer at the soft skills gap, how it impacts business, and what you can do to help younger employees improve their skill sets.

The skills lacking in the younger generation

But first, are younger workers really lacking certain skills, when compared to older generations? Bruce Tulgan, author of 2015’s best-selling Bridging the Soft Skills Gap, believes so.

“Today’s young workforce has so much to offer – new technical skills, ideas, perspectives and energy. Yet, too many of them are holding back their enormous potential with underdeveloped soft skills,” he says.

Tulgan began tracking generational workforce issues in the mid-1990s, so he has a lot of insight into the workplace issues that managers complain about most. The most common complaints from managers of younger workers are that many seem to have problems with:

With this information, Tulgan believes there is “a growing gap between the expectations of employers and the reality of how young talent is showing up in the workplace.” And this is what we refer to as the soft skills gap.

Having the right technical skills and knowledge to successfully carry out your job is only one part of being the best you can be in the workplace. In addition to these hard skills, you need a good combination of soft skills to know how to work well with others.

Being able to handle conflict, perform well under pressure and work as part of a team are all very valuable skills for any employee. In addition to this, staff who possess soft skills tend to conduct more satisfying relationships, which leads to better workplace outcomes and a more positive work culture for all.

Let’s say you’re faced with two employees with the exact same set of technical skills. Yet these two individuals are very different when it comes to attitude or the ability to communicate and work as part of a team. Which person will you promote to a higher level – the staff member with the good attitude who is always willing to pitch in, or the uncooperative employee who seems to enjoy making life difficult for their colleagues?

Soft skills also go a long way when it comes to being a good leader, as many traits that are necessary for strong leadership can be linked to high levels of interpersonal skills and EQ. For anyone in a leadership or management position, developing your skills in areas such as problem solving, decision-making and motivating people will be very beneficial.

Hiring employees with advanced soft skills can have a significant impact on an organisation’s ability to function effectively, within its own structure and as part of their industry. For example, with sales-focused companies, employing staff with strong communication and teamwork skills will have a direct impact on customer experience, as well as profits.

Developing soft skills through online training

So how can you help staff to improve and develop their soft skills?

One of the best ways to learn new skills, or improve existing ones, is through online training. Regular, ongoing training will help to build up the soft skills of employees of any age. And bridging the soft skills gap will help your business to retain the best talent.

With many employers neglecting to provide training in these areas, focusing only on hard technical skills, make sure you’re a step ahead of your competitors and get your staff started with soft skills training.

Browse through the Go1 platform to see the huge array of soft skills courses on offer – whether you’re looking for online courses to improve communication, problem solving, critical thinking, or team work skills, we’ll have the right resource for you. You might like to check out our top five online courses to improve soft skills to get started.

How to bridge the soft skills gap in younger workers

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