Online learning has skyrocketed in the last few years alongside the COVID-19 pandemic, technology advances, and the introduction of new types of training. In fact, 90% of corporate businesses offer online learning for their employees. Online learning makes a lot of business sense, and learners seem to favor it for a variety of reasons.

Let’s look at five ways that companies can benefit from online learning.

#1 Reach Remote and Global Employees

Online learning is a great way to reach remote and global workers. Company training that includes general information like the mission, vision, principles, and background should be the same whether a worker is a remote employee based in Iowa or part of a large team in Manila. It’s important to maintain consistent company branding in this type of training.

For locale-specific training that includes HR policies, job-specific training, or soft skills, local offices can create training to make sure it’s applicable and localized to the audience. This type of training considers things like culture, job conditions, and specific policies.
In addition, companies that are global or have a diverse workforce may need to translate their online learning. While a person might speak more than one language, there’s no denying that it’s easier to understand and retain training when it’s written in your native language and with your culture in mind.

#2 Provide Flexibility and Support Different Timelines and Schedules 

The COVID-19 pandemic changed how employees worked and employers’ expectations for employee work schedules. With people facing illness, caregiving, forced remote working, and online school for kids, employers began accepting more flexible work hours. And as more teams have formed in disparate places across the globe, it doesn’t always make sense to have them work specific hours. For example, if an employee in California reviews a London-based coworker’s work, it would make sense for the California employee to work early in the morning in order to interact with their peer in London. After the London worker is set for the day, the person in California could take a break and return to work when it makes sense, such as after dropping off kids at school.

It’s the same concept with online learning. Some workers may focus best in the evening for a good chunk of time, whereas others may focus best by taking a one-hour course each morning. If these employees instead had to take an in-person training during a two-hour time slot in the middle of the day, neither of them would be at their prime to learn.

#3 Save Time

Corporate online learning saves both trainers and trainees time. On the one hand, online course development means a trainer or content developer can create training once and then reuse it globally.

On the other hand, online learning doesn’t require travel, so it saves both time and money compared to in-person training. According to a Brandon Hall study, online learning takes 40–60% less time than traditional in-person training since the workflow isn’t interrupted; a worker can take training whenever that person wants to.

In addition, retention doesn’t seem to be affected. The Research Institute of America found that e-learning increases retention rates by 25–60%, whereas in-person training has 8–10% retention rates. One reason for this is that a trainee can go back and review the training as needed.

#4 Attract Younger Recruits

The younger workforce is used to working online, so knowing that a company provides online training can entice younger recruits.

Train on Mobile Devices

One of the trends in online learning for business and other types of training is that it’s often mobile first, which means content is designed for mobile devices before a desktop or other device. Younger people are used to using mobile devices for searching, connecting, shopping, and more. In addition, during the pandemic, many people received their schooling online, so they’re used to learning this way. In fact, 67% of students use mobile devices to complete course tasks.

Mobile-first training gives learners flexibility in terms of how to learn and where to learn, as we;; as improved retention rates (courses are usually shorter and easier to digest, encouraging a learner to continue to the next course), accessibility, and motivation (70% of learners felt more motivated learning on mobile versus a computer).

Take Environmental Impacts into Account

A Deloitte survey found that the environment was Gen Z’s number one concern. They want to work at environmentally friendly companies; 49% said their ethics feed into their career choices. 
Since online learning is paperless, it is a more environmentally friendly option. Compared to in-person training, online learning consumes 90% less energy and produces 85% fewer CO2 emissions per person. Knowing that a company has online learning may attract younger workers.

#5 Increase Company Profits 

In addition to all the benefits for learners, companies have shown that online learning has helped improve their bottom line. In fact, 42% of US organizations claimed their income increased due to online learning.

Employees who have taken and retained good online learning can dive into their jobs faster and be productive more quickly. Online training for job advancement may also increase employee morale and loyalty, which helps companies retain employees and reduce new hire costs.

Conclusion

Online learning for companies has numerous advantages over in-person training for both workers and employers. If your company hasn’t fully embraced online learning, now is the time.
If you need help getting started with course development, managing online courses, or course translation, contact us today.