With new technologies evolving daily, from automation to artificial intelligence, many organizations sense an urgent need to upskill their workforce through workplace learning. Workplace learning helps employees hone their knowledge and skills to perform their duties and responsibilities.  

Whether short or long-term, workplace Learning can benefit the organization the most, giving them a team of staff who can work better and embrace future changes and challenges. For organizations looking to upskill their workforce, here are some of the latest trends in workplace learning.

1. Virtual Reality Training        

The shifting talent landscape has led to a massive demand for upskilling, with over 80% of organizations admitting that their workforce has skill gaps they need to fill through workplace learning. One of the most popular trends in learning and development is virtual reality Training, which has significantly revolutionized workplace learning.

Virtual reality training is an immersive learning platform that recreates real-life settings and simulates workplace challenges, allowing employees to gain on-the-job training and in-depth learning in a risk-free environment. With this immersive learning experience, employees can benefit from a higher retention of skills, making it easier to apply them at work, eventually leading to increased productivity.

Reports show that those trained through virtual reality are four times faster to learn and more emotionally connected to the content than in a classroom setting. As a result, they are more confident in applying the skills they learned from training.

One of the benefits of using VR training is its capability to replicate dangerous work environments since it offers a safe environment for workers to learn high-risk skills. It can stimulate potentially fatal scenarios without putting the learners in danger.

Virtual reality training is also a powerful tool for technical training, which is often prone to costly mistakes. In fact, the medical industry has been turning to VR to train surgeons in crucially intricate operation procedures.

2. Scenario-Based Learning      

Scenario-based learning refers to a training technique using real-world situations to provide context for course content. Commonly used in medical and military training, scenario-based training is also gaining popularity in workplace learning. In scenario-based training, participants can learn and develop a skill by practicing in a simulated environment, replicating the job environment.

One of the best things about scenario-based learning is that learners have control over the outcomes according to their choices and do so in an immersive learning environment, free from real-world consequences. It forces learners to exercise critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate the scenarios and enjoy a favorable outcome.

Scenario-based learning is advantageous since it allows workers to train in a low-risk environment, minimizing the risk of real-life errors that can put them in danger and could cost the company some money.

Another benefit of scenario-based learning is that it minimizes the learning curve, which means it takes participants to the “point of skill” faster. Workers can learn fast if you let them experience the situation in a mock setting instead of merely explaining it in a classroom setting. The scenario-based learning allows them to embody the scenario almost like an actual situation.

3. Digital Learning

The significant expansion of digital learning in recent years shows no signs of slowing down. More workplaces are transitioning their training programs to online platforms, including critical areas like online health and safety courses. While many companies embrace digital learning, there’s still room for development.

When leveraging digital learning for the workplace, ensure you have the right technology. It should be easy for everyone to use. Consider investing in a robust digital training platform with minimal administrative effort while enabling learner engagement. Choose the platform with reporting capabilities, allowing you to monitor the trainees’ performance.

Try to align digital learning with other strategies for workplace learning and development. Encourage employees to explore ways to enhance their educational journey with mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and other programs to expand their professional abilities and skills.

When offering digital learning to employees, do not overlook soft skills, which are critical to leadership development. Unfortunately, many organizations often ignore these when designing their digital learning strategies. The best way to upskill the workforce is to emphasize soft skills, such as emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication abilities.

4. Learning Through Collaboration      

Collaborative learning is one of the latest trends in workplace learning. Many organizations are moving away from hierarchical management styles and are now relying more on group work to achieve better results. Besides, since everyone works in a team, it’s fitting to learn as a team. The collaborative learning approach means working together to achieve tasks and activities in a group small enough to ensure everyone participates.

Collaborative learning approaches usually involve putting individuals of mixed skills, expertise, and abilities in a group, allowing everyone to learn from one another. The method enhances the training experience by capitalizing on individual employee’s capabilities.

Every member of the group will present their learning needs and help reinforce individual responsibility to achieve the best training outcomes. Participants in the group can respond to these needs by working on a project and sharing their knowledge and expertise.

Collaborative learning is not only about teaching one another. It also helps foster relationships and allows new hires to ramp up quickly.

Also Read: The Rise of Generative AI in the Workplace: Driving Unprecedented Productivity Gains

5. Video Training          

Video training is among those trends in learning and development that many organizations adopt, and it’s easy to see why. Most people are visual learners, which means they are more able to recall information delivered through video than text.

In addition, video training is one of the most cost-effective learning methods in the workplace. Trainers can use similar videos for different online courses or recycle some parts for new lessons. Therefore, there is no need to create fresh content from time to time, saving trainers plenty of time.

Best of all, creating training videos is easy, given the various resources and tools online, such as YouTube and Loom, which allow participants to develop a relevant library of training materials that employees can access anywhere and anytime.

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