How eLearning Helps Professionals To Gain Skills And Career Options
Ten years ago, most people could expect to go to college and graduate prepared to take on a role in their chosen industry.
While college is still a good foundation today and absolutely crucial in some industries—more than 60% of jobs will require a post-secondary degree of some kind by 2020—educational demands are shifting. Skills are evolving so quickly that universities are unable to catch up, and we really have no idea of what we can expect education to look like ten years from now.
Students’ needs are also shifting. Fewer and fewer are attending school full-time and living on campus. In fact, fully on-campus students now only make up 14% of those enrolled in colleges and universities.
Many students are cutting down on debt by seeking out cheaper housing or working while attending school, creating an increased need for flexible learning options. eLearning is ideally suited for busy schedules and is becoming a key component in both education and professional development.
Ongoing learning is now the norm, and eLearning is a powerful tool for keeping up with demands that are constantly changing. Here are 5 reasons that eLearning helps professionals gain new skills and career opportunities:
1. eLearning Makes Upskilling Easier
eLearning makes it possible for working professionals to upgrade their skills or “upskill” without enrolling in traditional courses and taking too much time away from their job duties. Employers are beginning to see the value of sponsoring the ongoing training of their workforce through platforms like Udemy, which offers a huge range of subjects. These platforms make upskilling approachable and available to people at just about every level.
Although employers often use eLearning for training their teams, upskilling on an individual level is also on the rise. Professionals who are interested in moving up in their career can build on their knowledge within their field or get advice on creating an effective resume, interviewing, and more.
2. Employees Can Earn Certifications While They Work
In some industries, certifications are important for getting hired or for legal reasons. The talent pool shrinks when certifications are required, prompting many employers to hire for culture and train for skills. Through eLearning, employees can earn certifications while they work, taking courses to help them pass exams like those offered by Amazon Web Service (AWS).
3. eLearning Promotes Innovation
When people do the same job day in and day out and stop learning, they stagnate. eLearning is a win-win for companies and employees alike because learning helps to promote innovation and engagement. Employees are happier and more energized when they’re learning and experimenting, and companies benefit from increased innovation and thought leadership coming from their own offices. eLearning can spark new ideas and help professionals drive change in industries like marketing, where new ideas are crucial.
4. Online Training Is A Great Productivity Booster
Most people get bored with repetitive tasks and start to burn out after a while. This disengagement kills productivity and costs companies millions every year. By engaging professionals with eLearning, companies can help drive engagement and productivity, creating more value for the company while building a more skilled and adaptable workforce. While some executives may think that eLearning is a waste of time, wise leaders understand the need to challenge and engage their workers on an ongoing basis.
5. eLearning Helps Educators Meet Evolving Demands
Now that the needs of university students and professionals are changing, educators need to embrace the fast-paced world of eLearning more than ever. By using online materials to educate themselves, educators can help to prepare their students for their future careers and present a relevant curriculum that’s fluid according to the needs of the students.
eLearning: Potential And Ambition
With the massive amount of material now available on eLearning platforms, ambitious and persistent professionals can pick up nearly any skill that interests them or will help them build their careers. It takes dedication to thrive in self-directed study, but motivated professionals can help gain a competitive edge, build a thriving career, and be more engaged at work by choosing to use eLearning for ongoing training and development. Regardless of industry, companies need to think about the value of offering eLearning opportunities to improve the skills of their workforce and increase their bottom line.
Sources:
- AWS - Certification Practice Exams
- eLearning Industry - Free eLearning Resources
- Udemy - Resume & CV Writing
- Maryville University - 11 Marketing Skills for Entrepreneurs to Master
