Everyone in the business world knows how important it is to be prepared to respond to an unpredictable situation. But are you really equipping yourself and your staff with the right equipment to deal with the coming challenges? In this post we'll discuss exactly why creating a continual education environment is crucial for the success of your business - regardless of how large or small.

For starters 94% of world employees believe they'd stay at a company more long if the company invested in their professional development. This is in the midst of what's been dubbed "The Great Resignation" it's a easy reason to take a proactive approach to the education of employees. In the face of an ever-growing level in automation, it's more crucial than ever before for businesses to upskill their employees on essential aspects like creativity and abstract thinking.

In this article We'll discuss:

• What exactly is Continuous Learning?
• Benefits to the Organization
• The benefits to employees
• Kinds of Learning
• How do you foster the Continuous Learning Culture

Do you want to establish an online online training course in your company or to market your online education directly to organizations? Discover how can help. Call our Solutions team now!

What exactly is Continuous Learning?

Continuous learning is the process of continuously enhancing our abilities as well as knowledge to aid in personal professional, and organizational improvement. One of the most well-known examples of continuous learning occurs where an employee is taught new techniques for their work, which allows them to gradually move up to more difficult and demanding tasks. Continuous learning can also include the improvement of soft skill sets like managing, leadership, collaboration, and more.

The benefits to the Organization

Stay on Top

An educated workforce can be a more productive one. Investing in workers and management ensures their continued value and abilities. Continuous education helps in:

• Identify existing skills gaps
• Learning opportunities with Pinpoint
• Reinforce critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Continue to be relevant for the industry
• Foster a culture of collaboration and ingenuity
• Invite external views and suggestions
• Create a more responsive and active organization

Retention

A workplace that promotes continuous development is essential when it comes to retaining the best and brightest. Due to the Great Resignation, employees increasingly prefer careers in which they can develop, learn and embrace a healthy work-life-fun balance. If you provide them with an opportunity to develop their careers and stay with the company and you are able to save the expense in recruiting and training their new employees.

It's not always about encouraging the employees already in place to move up to the next level or even join the executive team. Many may be looking for a lateral change to a new area within the business. Actually, workers with the possibility of internal mobility stay in their positions for nearly twice as long as those without.

Find the Top

Organizations that encourage continuous learning attract new recruits joining the workforce. Based on LinkedIn's 2020 Workplace Learning Report, 76 percent Of Gen Z believe learning is crucial to success in their career. The emphasis on continuing learning also implies a willingness to revisit assumptions, beliefs and practices - which is a desirable prospect for Gen Z, a group that isn't afraid in demanding greater equity, diversity, and inclusion at work.

Benefits to the Employee

Of course, a well-designed process for continuing education does not only benefit the employees for the organization. The opportunity for individuals to refresh their knowledge and improve skills offers many advantages for professional development:

Professional Development: Moving Up

For people looking to obtain an increase in their salary or promotion, updating their skill set is one of the best methods to reach those goals. From hard skills like computer programming , or an industry-specific certification to soft skills like leadership training, engaging in continuous training shows that management is determined to go that extra mile in order to grow.

You're Simply The Best

Even if they're not currently seeking a new position, continual learning will ensure your employees stay at top of their game. New software updates? Industry best practices and trends? In a fast-moving world it is never too late to learn learning something new.

Stronger Culture, Happier Workers

Since continuous learning is often conducted within a group setting, it's a great chance for employees and supervisors to experience closer collaboration, whether in-person or virtual. It can also provide topics for discussion across teams or departments that don't often cooperate. Over time, the organization's focus on continuous learning will help to create a stronger business the culture.

It's also been shown that workers who have a positive experience with job training have overall higher job satisfaction. It's because it offers them the sense of achievement and satisfaction, as well as an obvious path to take. If employees are engaged and engaged, it leads to higher performance.

Kinds of Learning

Formal Learning

Self-Directed Learning

Most often, online or virtual the self-directed learning process is carried out in the time and at the comfort of the individual student. Common examples of self-guided learning includes onboarding, human resources or courses in health and safety. Worldwide, 58% of employees prefer learning in their own time this is the reason the self-directed online learning course is a great concept. This method also avoids barriers including time-based differences, multiple office locations, and room limitations.

Social Learning

The employees learn just as much about their jobs through their managers and colleagues as from any formal training or classes. That's why it's critical to promote an environment that promotes positive learning through social interactions (also known as informal learning) by creating spaces in which people feel comfortable talking with each other outside of direct work circumstances. A lot of organizations utilize programs such as Slack which allows channels to be set up for discussions regarding various topics, like market trends or the latest workshop. Consider also implementing a mentorship program in which employees can communicate one-on-one with a colleague or supervisor, and both are held responsible for their targets for education.

Hybrid Learning The Best of All Worlds

Hybrid learning, also known as blended education, blends digital media with classic educator-led methods to design a curriculum which is suited to the requirements of the student. A departmental lecture could be followed by reading assignments to be discussed by participants on the forum of the organization.

How can you create a Continuous Education Culture

As with all great strategies, continuing learning within the workplace should be proactive. Prior to booking your lunch-and-learns, or virtual talks, take a step back and think about what goals you're hoping to accomplish over the long and short time. The ideal learning format for an organisation that hopes to achieve ISO certification will differ from one hoping for a stronger culture of cutting-edge innovation.

Think about the process in the same way you'd design a buyer's journey. Evaluate your workers' skills and abilities, then design a an educational journey that is aligned with both their interests and the goals of your strategy. If you ask for feedback earlier, you'll be able to get more acceptance from both employees and managers. Be sure to solicit feedback after implementation, too.

Make Learning accessible

Make it enjoyable!

Nobody loves a boring education experience. Let your employees' continual learning enjoyable by adding engaging aspects. In particular, those who are part of social elements like Q&As and learning groups consume 30x more learning videos over those who don't.

In order to increase motivation and excitement to increase motivation and interest, think about adding components that gamify learning, like incentives, collective or individual goals, or milestone tracking. In assessing and celebrating results in learning, you're demonstrating to your employees that you value their accomplishments and are committed to your new continuous learning and development environment.

Finally, back up your learning program with real-world reward. Be it through bonus and promotions, engaging projectsor even control of creativity make sure your employees are aware that their hard work is having a tangible, positive effect on their company.

Get Management On Board

We instinctively look to our leaders when things change at work. Before you implement any major changes, gather your managers and team leaders to talk about the reasons for your new initiatives in learning - and inspire them to join in as well.

Adjust and Replay

Don't forget the continuous part of continuous learning. Ongoing improvement is necessary to continue the forward momentum of your new employee education program.

Find out how your employees are feeling about the process of learning. Allow for anonymous feedback to gather an honest view of what needs to be improved. Talk to your managers and inquire about what feedback they're getting which you may not have. After that, you can make any necessary adjustments for next year.

Looking to create an online training for employees within your organization or want to promote your online training to organizations? Call our Solutions team and let's chat!