Nurturing Employee Talent: Using eLearning for Skill Development

Nurturing employee talent can positively influence a company's culture, growth, and success. Research suggests that 94% of employees would extend their stay at a company if it offered learning and development opportunities. Even the 2023 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report echoes this. According to it, about 35% of employees (age 18-34) and 29% (age 35-49) will consider a job where there are opportunities for growth within the company.

It's here that eLearning's viability increases. It has become an accepted tool to provide employees with the knowledge and training that they require to perform their job roles.

The Need to Nurture Employee Talent

Employee talent is the engine that drives innovation and growth in any organization. By nurturing employee talent, businesses can create a more engaged, productive, and innovative workforce. More profoundly, they can facilitate:

Better Engagement and Productivity

Ideally, engaged employees are more likely to be productive. About 80% of workers80% of workers say the chance to learn new skills would increase their engagement levels. Nurturing employee talent can increase engagement by providing employees with opportunities to learn and grow and giving them a sense of purpose - ultimately amplifying their productivity.

Increased Retention

Providing eLearning opportunities (such as courses, webinars, eBooks, etc.) increases the retention rate by as much as 60%. When employees feel that their employer is investing in their development, they are more likely to stay with the company. Cuing back to the LinkedIn report, about 31% of the employees (age 18-34) and 29% (age 35-49) would consider jobs where they have opportunities to learn and develop new skills.

A Culture of Continuous Improvement and Innovation

Nurturing employee talent is essential for creating a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, and understandably so. After all, when employees are allowed to learn and grow, they are more likely to come up with new ideas and solutions.

Why Does Skill Development Take Center Stage in Nurturing Talent?

Ideally, companies that prioritize skill development are better positioned to retain and cultivate top talent, leading to long-term success and competitiveness in the market. That said, here are several compelling reasons why skill development is of paramount importance:

Improves Employee Productivity

As employees acquire new skills or refine existing ones, they become more proficient at their tasks. This increased proficiency often leads to improved efficiency in their roles. No doubt, when employees complete their work more efficiently, they positively influence the organization's overall productivity and output.

Strengthens Employees' Sense of Value

Skill development initiatives communicate to employees that the organization values their growth and contributions. When employees feel their development is a priority, they tend to have a stronger sense of belonging and engagement within the organization. This, in turn, fosters a positive work environment and can reduce turnover rates.

Improves Employee Satisfaction

Employees who have the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge are usually more satisfied with their jobs. Besides, when employees are satisfied, they are more likely to remain with the organization, reducing recruitment and training costs.

Broadens Competencies

Skill development goes beyond improving existing skills; it also involves acquiring new ones. By broadening competencies, employees become more versatile and adaptable. This adaptability is crucial in today's rapidly evolving business landscape, where the ability to pivot and acquire new skills is essential for both personal and organizational growth. Furthermore, a diverse skill set allows employees to take on new responsibilities and contribute to different aspects of the organization. This flexibility is especially valuable during periods of change or expansion.

Challenges Facing Organizations in Developing Employee Skills

Meeting the training needs of a multigenerational workforce doesn't come easy. Here's a rundown of the challenges that organizations face:

Inadequate Learning and Training Programs

Often, organizations lack the resources or expertise to develop effective training programs. As a result, they are inclined towards developing rudimentary training programs with limited content.

Inconsistencies in Training

Training programs can be inconsistent across the organization. This can be because of differences in the roles and responsibilities of employees or because training programs are developed by different departments or teams. This problem can also usher in unnecessary redundancy, which affects employee engagement.

Non-Adaptive and Accessible Training

Often, training programs are not adaptive to the individual needs of learners, making it difficult for employees to learn at their own pace and in a way that proves effective for them.

Lack of Engagement from Employees

Employees may not be receptive to their training programs, especially if they are not relevant to their roles. When companies do not spend enough time developing their training programs or do not get or incorporate employee feedback, it can become challenging to develop programs that amplify engagement.

Little Emphasis on Leadership Skill Development

Leadership skills are essential, as leaders set the tone for organizational culture and processes. However, companies tend to place less emphasis on developing leadership skills in their employees. This can make it more challenging for employees to take on leadership roles.

Advantages of Using eLearning for Skill Development

eLearning can be a valuable tool for organizations looking to nurture talent. Here is why eLearning in training and development makes a lot of sense:

Cost-Effectiveness

eLearning can be a more cost-effective way to deliver training than traditional methods like classroom instruction.

Improved Access and Flexibility

eLearning programs can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This proves convenient for employees - especially those working in the field.

Greater Engagement and Interactivity

Online learning can be more engaging and interactive than traditional methods, for it uses multimedia content, simulations, gamification, and other features to keep learners engaged.

Ability to Track Progress and Results Easily

eLearning platforms can track learners' progress and results, providing valuable insights for organizations.

Higher Retention Rate of Learned Material

eLearning has been shown to lead to higher retention rates of learned material than traditional methods.

How To Design Effective eLearning Courses for Skill Development

Designing eLearning courses for skill development is a multifaceted process. It requires careful planning and execution. Here are key steps and considerations for eLearning course development process:

Understand Organizational and Individual Needs

Begin by conducting a thorough needs analysis. Understand both the organization's overarching goals and the specific skills that employees need to achieve those goals. This step ensures alignment between training objectives and business objectives.

Narrow Down on the Skills That Need to Be Prioritized

Identify the critical skills that should be prioritized for development. Focus on skills that directly impact job performance and align with organizational objectives. Avoid overwhelming learners with excessive content.

Make Learning Material Fun, Accessible

Microlearning could be a good strategy to amplify engagement. Besides, use multimedia elements, gamification, and real-world scenarios to make learning enjoyable. Also, ensure accessibility by accommodating different learning styles and accessibility needs. Provide options for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. Ensure that content is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Use an LMS to Offer Training

Utilize a Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver and manage eLearning courses effectively. A good LMS provides a centralized platform for course delivery, tracking, and reporting. It enables learners to access content at their convenience.

Evaluate the Level of Learning

Regular quizzes, assignments, and assessments help learners gauge their progress and reinforce their understanding.

Test and Continuously Improve the Program

Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your eLearning program. Collect data related to learner performance, completion rates, and feedback.

Conclusion

Nurturing employee talent through eLearning is a smart investment for businesses of all sizes. By offering employees the flexibility and convenience of online learning, businesses can improve employee engagement, productivity, and retention. With GyrusAim LMS, organizations can:

• Develop engaging and interactive training programs tailored to their employees' needs.
• Track learners' progress and results to identify areas where employees need additional support.
• Provide employees with the flexibility to learn at their own pace and on their own time.
• Make training more accessible to employees of all ages and experience levels.

Give your employees the learning experience they want with GyrusAim. Schedule a demo today!