5 Learning And Development Trends That Will Drive Workplace Training in 2021

The past paves the way to the future. And this holds for learning as well. Now, when you ask, what will learning and development look like in 2021, you need to take a step back and think. How did 2020 revolutionise corporate training? Well, for starters, so many people have resorted to working from home.

New tweaks in the corporate learning modules helped manage several of the changes mentioned above. Therefore, how can we expect the learning and development trends to drive workplace training in 2021? Well, let's begin!

The shift to online learning has witnessed a gradual surge in the recent decade. Digital platforms are the go-to option for companies that believe in-person training sessions are a thing of the past. It is tedious to rely on instructors and conferences for knowledge dissemination.

Research from Brandon Hall Group proves that before the pandemic, 96% of companies provided instructor-led training. Again, as per the Training Industry, most learners said they prefer training delivered in person. But these figures have changed drastically after the health crisis. Companies switched so fact to digital learning platforms in 2020 that it's inevitable for this trend to continue in 2021.

In 2020, a significant chunk of the workforce found themselves working from home. They were compelled to learn new skills. The shift made employees realise their technical deficiencies. And online training helped in addressing these skill gaps. Now, in 2021, one of the significant learning management system and development trends will be to manage change. New training tools will be used to help trainees adapt to new situations and succeed.

3) Tweaks in Customer Training

Not only companies but even customers have adapted to the new normal. Currently, organisations cannot communicate with their clients using traditional ways. In the good old days, buyers had the option to try or test products in person. However, now, they may not feel comfortable in brick and mortar stores. Since online commerce has become a go-to alternative for several buyers, companies will rely on learning.

4) More Focus on Reskilling

2020 had witnessed an immense transformation in organisations’ personnel needs. The new wave of digital training will focus on the requirement to reskill and upskill employees -- who may be assigned roles that didn’t exist in the past. Ginni Rometty executive chairman of IBM, was interviewed on Fortune’s Leadership Next Podcast. She compared the upheaval caused by COVID-19 and remote work to flipping a deck of cards. She explained how everyone will not land at the same spot as before.

Changes in job profiles and the way of working mean a difference in the existing employee skill sets. And in 2021, skills will become more critical than ever. Soft skills AKA people skills include determination, communication, punctuality, and the ability to learn. Research reveals that companies are increasingly looking for talents like teamwork, communication and time management.

Conclusion

Yes, 2020 had brought in a gamut of challenges to the corporate world. Working from home is not a cakewalk. Moreover, it becomes even more complicated when one needs to work and take care of the family at the same time. Corporate Training can help by equipping professionals with the necessary know-how, required to deal with challenging situations. Also, proper learning goes a long way in managing stress and communicating that companies value their employees' well-being.