National Online Learning Day falls on September 15 every year—an awareness event that has taken place every September since its inception in 2016. Interest and awareness, of course, have exploded since the pandemic, when online learning became more of a mandate than an option.
Employees are interested in online learning and will adopt it but only if certain criteria are in place. Go1, a global leader in online learning content, offers valuable insights for HR professionals and recruitment managers.
A Dramatic Shift in Demand
Go1’s research underscores a significant shift in the learning and development (L&D) landscape. While workplace training has traditionally been viewed as a compliance necessity, today upskilling is equally as important in most organizations.
This evolution is timely, especially as experts have predicted a “September Surge” in hiring ahead of the holiday season. Robust onboarding and learning programs are crucial to support new hires and ensure their long-term success.
Andrew Barnes, co-CEO and cofounder of Go1, emphasizes the importance of online learning in the workplace, noting that it’s not just about meeting minimal training requirements anymore. Instead, learning has become a business imperative, crucial for adapting to changing economic conditions and ensuring employee well-being.
Key Findings
Online Learning Is Growing in Popularity
Online platforms are the preferred format for employee learning these days. These platforms offer diverse content, varied formats, and robust management systems, meeting a wide range of employee needs. In addition, online learning platforms make access to learning tools and resources available 24/7/365.
Learning as a Retention Tool
L&D is increasingly seen as a tool for employee retention. In fact, Go1’s research indicates that 50% of L&D decision-makers plan to enhance L&D to boost employee satisfaction in the next year. In addition, 48% plan to encourage employees to acquire new skills, underlining the role of learning in overall satisfaction and retention.
Balancing Upskilling and Compliance
Compliance will remain important, but upskilling will play an increasingly important part in L&D efforts. Go1’s research found an equal split between compliance-focused training and upskilling-focused learning in L&D programs.
Concerns About New Platforms
Despite the benefits of leveraging new learning platforms, there are some concerns. In fact, according to an Adobe report, 33% of respondents said they had concerns. Another 31% expressed apprehension about changing regulations and challenges in training employees in a hybrid work environment.
To maximize online learning’s benefits, Go1 emphasizes the importance of implementing an intuitive learning management system (LMS) that offers a comprehensive, up-to-date learning library.
For HR professionals and recruitment managers, these insights underscore the importance of a strategic approach to L&D—one that balances compliance with the ever-growing need for upskilling.
Lin Grensing-Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.