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During the COVID-19 pandemic, training companies who traditionally delivered in-person trainings were forced to adapt to digital methods of delivery due to social distancing measures and other restrictions.
According to some industry reports, e-learning grew by as much as 200-300% during the pandemic, with many companies and educational institutions turning to digital training as a way to continue operations while keeping employees and students safe.
For example, in the United States, a survey conducted by the eLearning Industry Association found that the number of companies offering online training increased from 77% in 2017 to 98% in 2020. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, a survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that more than half of the organizations surveyed had increased their use of e-learning during the pandemic.
But in-person corporate training is not a thing of the past. According to some industry reports, the demand for in-person corporate training has been relatively stable over the past few years, with some companies even reporting a slight increase in demand for in-person training in certain areas.
One reason for this is that some companies prefer the hands-on, interactive nature of in-person training for certain types of training, such as leadership development or team-building activities. Additionally, some companies may feel that in-person training provides better opportunities for networking and building relationships among employees.
However, it cannot be denied that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant shift toward remote and digital training. This has accelerated the trend toward digital training and may have led to companies reconsidering their options, which may cause a long-term decrease in demand for in-person training.
Going forward, it is likely that the demand for in-person corporate training will continue to be influenced by a variety of factors, including the specific needs and preferences of each company, the availability of digital training options, and the overall economic climate.
It is clear that for training companies to thrive going forward, they should be able to lean on the strength of their digital catalogue, as well as their in-person training offerings.
Training companies should digitize their trainings because, as companies perceive it, eLearning offers many benefits and advantages over traditional, in-person training methods, such as:
Increased accessibility: Digitizing training courses allows employees to access them from anywhere with an internet connection, making it easier for them to fit training into their busy schedules. This can increase participation and engagement in the training, as employees are more likely to complete it when it is convenient for them.
Consistency: Digitized training courses offer a consistent learning experience for all participants, as the content, delivery, and assessments are standardized. This ensures that all employees receive the same information and training, regardless of location or instructor.
Analytics: Digitized training courses can provide detailed analytics and reporting on employee performance and participation. This can help training companies track progress, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the ROI of their courses to clients.
Training companies embracing eLearning and prioritizing expanding their catalogues are also enjoying the benefits of eLearning, including:
Cost-effective: Digitizing training courses can be more cost-effective than traditional in-person training, as it eliminates the need for travel, venue rental, and printed materials. This can help training companies save money and offer more affordable courses to their clients.
Scalability: Digitized training courses can be scaled to reach a larger audience, as they can be distributed online and accessed by anyone with an internet connection. This can help training companies expand their reach and increase their revenue, by offering the courses to smaller companies and individuals, who may not have been able to afford in-person training.
Reduced ongoing costs: With eLearning, once it has been created, it does not have to be reproduced, unlike in-person training sessions. This means many training companies are able to offer a product with lower ongoing costs, adding to their revenue.
Ability to sell hybrid solutions: By offering both digitized and in-person training, training companies can offer hybrid learning solutions to their clients.
Of course, companies still value in-person training, for its benefits of personal connection, group learning, immediate feedback, adaptability, hands-on practice, and enforceability. Overall, digitizing training courses offers many benefits and advantages alongside traditional, in-person training methods. By embracing digitization, training companies can increase accessibility, scalability, consistency, and interactivity of their courses, while also saving money and providing an enhanced learning experience for their clients’ employees.
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