When some professionals think about training, they picture having to schedule regular time out of their work calendar to go to a classroom, run through the syllabus, and complete certification within a set timeframe.
Yet as technology has expanded and evolved, this traditional training model is increasingly outdated.
Choosing online training over classroom learning makes maintaining regular education easier for individuals. Online training and resources are up-to-date and available, enabling the training to be flexible, fast-moving and adaptable in the face of a rapidly changing and expanding industry. Provided, of course, that you can keep your training software and associated program regularly updated.
eLearning platforms are just like the programs they host – constantly changing. Vendors introduce new features and functionalities every so often, which means companies also need to keep the software updated in addition to the learning materials and ongoing program administration and management.
This is where Training-As-A-Service (TaaS) comes in. TaaS is delivered online and TaaS providers manage a company’s eLearning resources, ensuring it’s updated and reducing complexity.
A managed and hosted LMS solution provides a more effective and cost-efficient way of delivering training. It means you can concentrate on your learners and the course content (as the subject matter experts) and your chosen provider can focus on its delivery and administration.
The Benefits of Training-as-a-Service
Generating interest and enthusiasm for training typically isn’t a problem. People want to learn and are constantly looking for opportunities to work on their skills. However, just because people want to learn, it doesn’t mean they have time to spare. Lack of time is the top reason professionals knock training lower down their priority list.
Online training removes the barrier of set schedules, allowing people to participate at their own pace. This is especially important for channel partner training. These aren’t only professionals, but entire companies who are busy working on their own businesses.
Training-as-a-Service (TaaS) reduces the internal time and input needed to make knowledge accessible.
When it comes to traditional classroom training, there’s one element many organisers dread: the budget. Conference halls alone can put you back by thousands, especially if the training takes multiple days. Arranging transport and accommodations for everyone, especially if the training is abroad, can turn into an expensive, logistical nightmare.
TaaS abolishes those costs. Bound only by fees related to developing, implementing and managing the training program, signing onto Learning Management Systems (LMS) is significantly more scalable and affordable than one-and-done classroom sessions. Plus, learners can revisit materials when needed, empowering them to turn theory into application out on the field.
Companies no longer need to bring in subject matter experts every time a new batch of professionals comes on board, as the materials are already there and ready to be deployed.
Many employees and external partners feel that departments aren’t communicating and sharing information, often getting one message from one representative, and a different one from another.
The strength of your marketing, brand voice, and service quality hinges on learners being taught the same way. And it’s harder to control for consistency during classroom training sessions, especially if you have delegated responsibility for your training to distributors and other third parties. Facilitators can change, teaching styles differ, and materials may be outdated.
eLearning gives training managers absolute control over course content and its rollout, no matter where the learner may be located.
The high cost of training, in work disrupted and in costs, can make classroom training a difficult sell for upper management. Many managers will also be reluctant to allow learners to dedicate days to training, which makes it harder to incentivise participation.
Online training minimises these barriers. As it’s more affordable, justifying spend is easier. The flexibility of eLearning courses and TaaS also enables managers and business owners to constantly promote the program and encourage participation. Channel partners are more likely to push training onto their employees when they know that there will be minimal disruption.
Accessibility is one of the biggest benefits of online training over traditional training. You can reach hundreds of learners from different regions, as long as they have a phone or a computer. Support materials are only a click away, ensuring learners can swiftly solve problems.
Ease of access is an even bigger boon for companies with channel partner networks. Coordinating training between hundreds of partners is difficult. An online resource portal ensures information is always available whenever it’s needed.
Learners don’t have to wait for suppliers–who may be in different time zones–to grant access or send materials. The right TaaS provider will have dedicated support agents made available to help them navigate through pathways, no matter the time of day.
Many certifications, including major ones from companies like Adobe, SAP, and Microsoft, are subject to availability. If you miss enrolment or class schedules aren’t compatible with your schedule, you have little choice but to wait for the next round of tests. Some certifications are also only held in select testing centres–a bother for learners who don’t live near the area.
eLearning platforms enable learners to get accredited whenever they want. This helps encourage customers and partners to participate in classes, knowing that the certification exam waiting at the end is a seamless process.
Courses and support materials can be accessed at any time via any online device. This offers the additional benefit of resource availability to support on-site work
Training can typically take more than a day, especially for technical, complex products. Some certification programs take weeks. Yet not every learner can commit to successive days of learning. Unlike students at university, these are individuals who have their own deadlines and KPIs to meet, and can’t afford to be away from their work for very long.
Online platforms don’t ask learners to choose between finishing a report and completing a class. Your LMS provider can easily adapt programs to the schedules of learners, increasing chances of participation and completion. People also consume and process information at different rates. A course paced to the learner’s speed and skill level can help them better retain information.
70% of learning comes from real-life experience, 20% comes via feedback from managers or supervisors, and 10% comes from formal training.
Online training supports the 70/20/10 development model, offering a consistently available point of reference, learning material, and support to help professionals while on-site and learning via practical experience.
Channel partners are key to expanding into new markets. Yet language barriers can hinder training efforts. Important information can get lost in translation. If you want to maximise results, you need to offer courses in languages learners are comfortable in.
With the WahooLMS, online training can be made available in multiple languages to support student preferences.
How can we help?
One key requirement for TaaS is the Learning Management System (LMS) to support your program needs. While many off-the-shelf LMS systems are available, they mostly require you to manage and administer them yourself, which requires staffing, expertise, management and risk.
At Wahoo Learning we are specialists in providing managed LMS solutions. Utilising our own WahooLMS, a customised LMS solution can be deployed within days which matches your organisation’s brand, the solution is hosted and managed on your behalf. With an SLA guaranteeing 99.99% up-time, you can be confident that your customers get a great experience.
Related reading: Everything you need to know about our Managed Learning Services
Discover the true value of product knowledge training and how to sell it effectively by reading ‘How To Sell Product Knowledge Training (and why it shouldn’t always be free‘ – click now to learn more!
