Staff training in today’s business world most likely looks different from that of five or ten years ago. With each year comes new and evolving trends that many business owners and corporate leaders look for to better improve their company culture.
Employee training trends can be some of the most important things to search for in order to know the best ways to prepare employees for the workplace and be sure that they are confident in their roles. Without that confidence that comes from proper training, it is not uncommon to see increased turnover and reduced productivity. According to Zippia, 59% of employees report no formal workplace training. It is crucial for business success to properly train employees and keep up with the latest training trends that we will discuss for 2023.
1. Gamification
Engaging and interactive content is highly effective for training employees. By utilizing media and graphics in interactive scenarios or challenges, the experience becomes more enjoyable and the information more easily retained for the employees involved. Providing opportunities for rewards and certificates through these training programs gives employees another incentive to want to engage themselves in learning.
2. Inclusive Programs
The content included in staff training programs should always be accessible and inclusive for each and every employee. It should be customized to make everyone feel represented and welcome in the space, and be reviewed and tested for its accessibility for those with disabilities. It is also important to make sure that those employees that work from home can easily access the training programs and feel that they are still part of the team.
3. Upskilling & Reskilling
Both employers and employees must prepare themselves to adapt to the evolving need for different skills in certain job positions. By training new and current employees in different skills that they might not have, they are not only preparing them for the future, but showing that the employees are valued by investing in their careers. In turn by expanding their skills and knowledge, they will have more confidence should a situation arise where they are needed in a department that is different from their own.
4. Microlearning
The human attention span is not as long as one might think, ranging from only a few seconds to around 20 minutes. It can be difficult for employees to focus and retain information during long training programs, and might not feel like they were properly trained when it is done. By reducing training sessions to shorter periods of time, employees have more flexibility to fit them around their schedules. These shorter sessions prove effective in helping employees focus on the knowledge that they are given, through interactive videos, quizzes, and more.
5. Employee-Created Content
Inviting employees that have been working at the company longer to generate training for new employees is an effective strategy. When employees are learning from their fellow employees rather than from management, they might be more willing to participate and feel that there is more trust involved. These individuals may also have experienced the positions that the new employees are getting started with, so it can be more effective to utilize peer-to-peer training.
Taking the time to review and update employee training programs can prove highly beneficial in the short and long term for companies. Adapting to evolving trends will help employees feel that they are properly trained and prepared for their roles and responsibilities and will perform better overall. Implementing these staff training trends will keep employees confident and engaged and make for a better work experience.
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