Learning Management: A Critical Component of a Digital Human Resources Platform Strategy

With the current economic conditions, investing in a next generation learning management system (LMS) provides the opportunity to leverage training and educational programs, enabling training departments to:

• effectively and efficiently develop courses,
• deliver instruction,
• facilitate communication,
• foster collaboration between employees (remote and in person),
• assess achieving learning outcomes, and even
• monetize learning for training prospective and existing clients.

The LMS market is expected to continue to grow up to $25.7 billion by 2025, according to recent analysis by Markets and Markets, with the majority of that growth in North America.

Despite the fact that the quality of their labor force is often the determining factor in a company’s success, during the last two years training has often take a back seat to the broader issues companies have faced.  However, fundamental change in how many companies do business as a result of the pandemic, as well as the movement of employees in the workforce often referred to as the Great Resignation, means that forward leaning companies have come to realize the critical importance of learning management.  2022 and beyond looks to continue to be a watershed period for employers concerned with improving their employee experience as well as finding, hiring and retaining employees.  Part of that endeavor entails reconsidering and revamping LMS system goals and methods.

Limitations of Traditional LMS Exposed

The COVID-19 pandemic magnified limitations around traditional training programs, onboarding, and on-ground events.  Global businesses migrated from ground training and physical meetings to teach digitally. New hires had to be onboarded and have training accessible, and remote employees needed the ability to receive the same training, regardless of location. Employees desired a personalized learning environment that offered engaging professional development and skill training, while meeting continuing education and competency requirements. Human Resources needed to manage employees’ meeting their annual competency and course requirements, for compliance purposes.   All of these were difficult with the tools HR inherited in 2019.

Learning Goes Beyond Compliance

Certainly, compliance training is important for organizations and there is always a place for technology training as companies deploy new forms of technology to be competitive.  Technical skills training can involve using a new ERP system or the latest version of Office or shop floor technology designed for manufacturing or distribution.

However, there is a growing need for skills not directly tied to job-specific functions.  Skills like effective communication, teambuilding, time management and others have become more important to the success of an organization with changes brought on by the pandemic.  Along with training for supervisors, these ‘soft skills’ make it possible to manage remote or partially remote teams effectively.  Building resiliency, teamwork and inclusion help to make employees better able to manage change.

Recognition of Differences in How Employees Learn

As learning management has moved away from traditional classroom settings and employees are often remote, learning managers have realized that the method of delivery of training can have a profound effect on how successful the training is.  Utilizing digital technology in an asynchronous ‘anytime learning’ model has allowed those employees who have difficulty with a lecture setting or reading materials and taking a quiz to be better trained and sooner.  They can now take advantage of new technologies that allow for interactive learning, video training, mobile and other techniques to learn at their own pace.

A Next Generation LMS Must be Part of Your Digital HR Platform

A traditional learning management system that has not been digitally enabled can be ineffective and fall victim to budget or time constraints. Without next generation technology, learning is hard to keep track of and measure.

A next generation Learning Management System (LMS) solves for those limitations with a feature rich educational solution that enriches the learning environment with a vibrant online ecosystem.  A LMS can deliver content that’s custom tailored to each user’s history, role, location, and language. A mobile responsive ecosystem fits seamlessly alongside thousands of digital plug-and-play tools, into any organization’s technology infrastructure.  Integrations with ERPs and HR systems allows for completion data to automatically populate, keeping employees’ files current. Interactive modules of microlearning and engaging content making learning easier with better learning outcomes. A LMS is critical to the success of companies in 2022 and beyond.

Learn More

If you would like to find out more about how a next generation LMS can help your company unleash the abilities of your employees, plan to attend the March 30 webinar “Changing the Way People Learn, Everywhere”.