Companies that invest in training their employees boast more impressive paystubs than companies that do not. Another question is how exactly such training takes place. Surveys show a significant increase in Learning Management Systems (LMS) users over the past few years.
Before the development of Internet technology, remote access, and the ability to conduct video conferencing using even a cell phone, employee training took place offline. A trainer had to travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometers to hold a meeting, which significantly increased the cost of training. The professional development process of employees and training in new skills has become as simple and convenient as possible. It is possible to get new knowledge without leaving your workplace or even getting up from your chair.
What are corporate learning management systems?
LMS is a software that delivers training content online to enhance employees’ skills. It’s an excellent substitute for offline courses and seminars, during which the trainer offers information that may go unnoticed by participants.
A digital system is not just a collection of courses and other content. It is a well-organised group of studies in which you have the right to monitor and manage the learning process, as well as check the degree of assimilation of the material.
The LMS allows you to delegate the monotonous job of compiling statistics and recording learning outcomes. In addition, you can schedule directly in the calendar the next training, which is mandatory and available for each of your employees without leaving their workplace.
Corporate training with Learning Management Systems uses training methods directly related to the practical application of knowledge. The most crucial learning goal with this system is the return on investment.
LMS uses a flexible time frame for training because providing employees with new knowledge must happen quickly. It is one of the objective requirements of a business.
Another feature of an online system for employee training is the ability to quickly and periodically update the courses’ information. It is essential because the market is dynamic, and businesses cannot afford to fall behind reality. It will lead to losses and other negative consequences.
At the end of the training, participants receive a certificate confirming the completion of the course.
What are the benefits of LMS for your organisation?
- Reduced costs for employee training. Using an LMS for training or teaching will save money on employee relocation, and time they can use to increase productivity. In addition, learning through the platform is much more profitable than paying a course instructor.
- Reduced training time. With no need to send employees to another location or city, you can significantly reduce the time required for professional development. Anyone can take courses in any free time without leaving the workplace. In addition, online courses more compactly collect all the most necessary information than a person could provide.
- Ability to create customised training plans. People in your team are various, and their level of knowledge is also significantly different. In addition, they occupy different positions not only because of their different professions but also because of their distinct level of ambition. Some employees are more qualified than others. And someone has just started working for you and needs to go through an adaptation course before they can improve their role on your team. LMS allows the business to determine employees’ needs and create a customised online training plan.
- Ability to monitor the effectiveness of training. LMS allows you to easily create reports on the training of the whole team simultaneously or at the level of an individual user. Using such a corporate training system, you can track training progress and rate of learning, assess return on investment, and more.
- Ongoing access to content. One of the critical features of Learning Management Systems is that your employees will have the ability to retake a course they haven’t fully mastered. These systems are different from live training, where the employee only has the opportunity to hear the trainer once.
- Increased overall job performance. Upgrading your skills and gaining new knowledge is the foundation for growing your business. With continuous training, employee productivity will undoubtedly increase.
How to choose and use the best Corporate LMS?
To choose the right and appropriate LMS, a company should clearly define its requirements for the training process, the expected impact on its business, the degree of support needed, and its allowable budget.
Knowing your team’s strengths and existing skills, you can choose the suitable LMS with the functionality and control your organization’s needs.
Among other things, the ease of implementation of a learning system is central to deciding which LMS is compatible with your company. You’re not going to have much fun wasting energy integrating a complex system with complicated software. That’s why simplicity wins out.
One factor to consider when choosing a training system is the ability to provide 24/7 support. After all, you don’t know when your employees will want to gain new knowledge, do you?
You should also pay attention to how long the LMS will be able to meet your requirements and wishes in terms of technical characteristics and functions. Such an investment should be long-term and reasonably easy to maintain. You should update it regularly because the market is dynamic, and circumstances constantly change. It would be disadvantageous for the company if you have to buy a new training system after a year just because the information in the old one no longer corresponds to reality.
To buy the product you want, you can list the requirements for the programme and the training process, provide information about the number of employees, and send it to the vendors. Compare the responses you receive, their content, and the deadlines for sending them, and choose the platform whose terms and conditions work best for you.
Final thoughts
Now you know a lot about the capabilities of an LMS. You also learn how to choose and use this system in your organisation.
In addition, we should add that such training systems are not only suitable for large enterprises but also for small businesses and independent contractors who want to develop and gain new skills. Platforms offer different training options: individual lessons, lessons in small groups, or as a whole group. The cost can vary and be low (almost free) or very high and equal to offline seminars of the best business trainers.
David Tobin did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
