Now more than ever before employees need to keep their skills up to date in a very fast moving modern world. It seems that technology is advancing at such a pace sometimes that anyone can feel left behind if they are not almost constantly retraining themselves. Businesses need employees with the latest skill set in order to stay competitive in their particular marketplace. Providing their employees with the necessary skills is imperative to improve their work performance and to be able to utilize the latest technology to stay competitive.
Businesses large and small face some of the same problems in this area. Having a key employee away for any length of time on a training course means that their regular job needs to be covered by someone else, or simply does not get done. Budgetary constraints often mean that training is the first thing to be cut. It is a vicious circle for the employer. If he does re-train the employee he loses competitiveness by not having the employee there and if he doesn't, then skills are not updated and he loses competitiveness that way.
Online training course providers have grown up in the marketplace to meet these challenges. Sometimes called 'computer based training' or CBT it can also be known as 'web based training' or WBT. CBT is usually delivered across the employers' networks so that the employee is delivered with a training course at their own desk. WBT is exactly that, training that is taken online again at the employee's desk or at a designated training computer close by. In this way, the trainee can take a few hours training a day whilst still covering their regular job. This training is also known as 'distance learning' or 'e-learning'.
Online training courses can be delivered to individuals or to groups of employees as necessary. For example the IT section could have a number of technical courses tailored to their needs, whilst desktop word processing training could be delivered to all front office staff within a business as necessary. For international businesses, CBT makes perfect sense as they can roll out online training courses globally for all their staff. Costs can be controlled and all staff worldwide feel valued and part of the home team.
CBT that delivers computer related courses will usually offer a simulation of of the programs that they are training. In this way a trainee will be able to sit at his PC and interact with a simulation of the computer program with confidence, knowing that he will not be able to do any harm (which he may feel if he was practising on the real program). Confidence grows quickly and the trainee can learn in the secure knowledge that it is a simulation.
Online training courses do not have to be computer (IT) related but can also span to self improvement, motivational skills, languages and even specialist courses like a Certificate in Personnel Skillsfor example. Many Universities now incorporate CBT and WBT into their curriculum and are reaching global audiences with their training. CBT is as efficient at delivering non IT related courses as computer related courses. From a Certified Internet Web Associate Foundationscourse to a Certificate in Travel and Tourismit's all available online. Care Skillsare also catered for.
Management control and monitoring are an essential part of any training program and CBT is no different. The employer will want to make sure that the right courses are reaching the right people. They will also want to ensure that an employee's training is progressing as planned or is completed within a time frame. Results are of course everything and testing can also be incorporated within the management systems to ensure that trainees have reached a required standard. This is a critical part of any CBT program and the robustness and accuracy of the management system is a major consideration for any potential employer looking to roll out an online training program.
The highest end online training course providers also have mentoring facilities for the trainee as well. This is an important factor which should be considered. If a trainee gets stuck within a course (especially if they are stuck with a technical question relating to the course material) he should be able to get a fast answer either by telephone or Email so that the training can proceed as planned. If mentoring is not provided by the training program provider, then the employer should consider setting up an internal mentoring system as the training is rolled out to employees.
Factors to consider when choosing an online training course program include:
For WBT, the ease of access, speed and overall user friendliness of the delivery site should be looked at carefully.
The management, control and testing facility should be looked at very closely.
The cost is a consideration for anybody and you should ensure that the cost of the complete training program including delivery, maintenance, management, testing and certification are all known up front.
Certification is also an important factor. If the subject area has a certified qualification, then the online training courses should meet all the criteria and enable the trainee to gain the certified qualification (as if they had attended a classroom course).
The reputation and history of the training provider is a good indication of the quality of the product. Talk to other customers if possible. Find out how long they have been around and what existing customers think of the product.
Online training courses have been around for some time now and have proven to be extremely efficient when executed correctly within a business. They have many advantages over classroom training and can often be incorporated as part of an overall training strategy that will keep an employee's skills current and competitive.