Training Platforms For Employees

Training platforms for employees are a critical aspect of business operations, especially in the age of digitization. Corporate training platforms offer resources for businesses to introduce new employees to a company’s ethos and procedures. They can also be used to train or re-train existing employees on new standards or procedures. In essence, these platforms are a means for transmitting skills and knowledge more effectively.

eLearning software in particular has seen an unprecedented rise in use in recent years. These  training software platforms are designed to deliver instructional content digitally and are most often made accessible through any and all internet-connected devices. eLearning software has made it easier to impart knowledge without the limitations of geographical location and time zones. 

When looking for the best employee training software, it’s important to consider your unique needs first and foremost. Do you run a large corporation, or a small business? Are you looking to train new employees, existing workers, or both? What does your budget look like? Answering these questions can put you on the right path to finding the most effective virtual training software for your specific needs.

Here’s a more in-depth look at some of the most popular training platforms for employees: 

• Learning Management Systems (LMS): These are the most common type of corporate training software. An LMS allows administrators to create, manage, and distribute content to employees.
• eLearning Software: eLearning software facilitates online learning and may be integrated into an LMS or used independently. Trainers and trainees alike appreciate this type of software for its interactive features and the ability to create custom content for a wide range of purposes.  
• Virtual Training Software: This software enables users to create immersive learning experiences. Employees can engage in simulations or virtual scenarios for activities like safety training and role-playing. 
• Web Conferencing Tools: Web conferencing tools allow real-time communication for online communication and training. They are becoming especially relevant with the current shift towards remote work.
• Employee Onboarding Software: Employee onboarding software is built to guide new hires through the onboarding process. It offers crucial information about company culture and policies, as well as their respective roles within the organization. 
• Microlearning Platforms: These platforms deliver bite-sized, highly focused chunks of learning content to employees, often in the form of short videos or interactive modules.
• Mobile Learning Apps: Mobile learning apps deliver training content to mobile devices, enabling employees to learn whenever and wherever is most convenient for them. 
• Performance Management Systems: While not solely a training tool, these systems help managers track and assess employee performance post-training. 
• Content Authoring Tools: Content authoring tools allow trainers to create interactive and engaging eLearning content, including multimedia presentations and simulations.

Some training tools, such as corporate training software, are best suited to large organizations. Others may be a good fit for small companies with fewer employees or less extensive training needs. Ultimately, companies should determine the type of virtual training environment that is most aligned with their unique objectives. This can help ensure they get new employees off on the right track.

Interactive Training Software

With more people working online than ever before, interactive training software has become crucial for training employees. The advantages of virtual learning encompass everything from reduced training costs to increased flexibility. 

Virtual instructor-led training (VILT) is especially useful, as it involves the best of both worlds: the ability for trainees to move through training material at their own pace while remaining under the guidance of an experienced instructor. 

Here are some of the key benefits of virtual instructor-led training when considering training platforms for employees: 

• Accessibility: VILT allows learners to access training regardless of where they live or where they work from. As long as they’ve got a reliable internet connection, trainees can engage in interactive sessions with their instructors and fellow learners from anywhere on earth. This global accessibility opens up opportunities for learners in remote locations or different time zones who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend in-person training.
• Flexibility: With these kinds of training software applications, learners can move through training material at their desired speed. Recorded sessions can be reviewed as many times as necessary, allowing learners to reinforce concepts they found challenging. This level of flexibility can be especially attractive to those with full-time jobs or that are otherwise busy during the work day. 
• Cost-Effectiveness: Custom online training for employees can reduce the costs associated with traditional instructor-led training. For even greater savings, businesses might consider training software free tools or other types of free training software for employees. 
• Real-Time Interaction: Despite being conducted online, VILT allows for real-time interaction between instructors and learners, similar to what takes place in a traditional classroom setting. This interaction enhances learner engagement. 
• Scalability: VILT can easily be scaled up or down to accommodate different group sizes, from individual learners to large groups spread across various locations. This makes it possible for instructors to ensure that training is always optimized to the number of people they’re teaching.
• Consistency: VILT promotes a uniform learning experience for all participants because each learner receives the same content delivered in the same manner. This level of consistency can be especially beneficial in a corporate setting, where maintaining a standard of competence across different departments or locations is critical. 
• Immediate Feedback and Assessment: Another great thing about VILT is that it includes features for instructors to provide instant feedback and assessments. This is a good way to keep everybody on the same page and make sure all learners are hitting the appropriate benchmarks or standards. 
• Environmentally-Friendly: By eliminating physical resources and travel from the equation, training development software and VILT offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional classroom training. This sustainability aspect aligns with the growing emphasis on corporate social responsibility and environmental consciousness.
• Enhanced Learner Autonomy: VILT fosters a sense of responsibility and autonomy in learners. With the flexibility to take responsibility for their learning and participating in training in a more active fashion, trainees can gain a deeper sense of confidence in their own abilities.

These are just some of the benefits of training and development software tools—especially those that allow for VILT. Researching the best online training software can give businesses a better idea of which tools best encapsulate the aforementioned features and benefits and help determine the best training platforms for employees. 

Virtual IT Labs

A growing number of employees are opting for remote jobs, and businesses are increasingly turning to virtual IT labs and on-demand learning to train workers. Instructor-led training labs are especially common nowadays, and for good reason—they offer an environment that’s similar to a traditional learning setting, but allows learners more flexibility.

Integrating standard IT virtual labs with instructor-led virtual training has proven extremely successful for diverse types of businesses and learners. This approach creates an effective learning experience in which trainees are guided through lab activities and given real-time feedback on their progress. Immediate support benefits learners’ understanding and application of the material. 

But what is a virtual learning environment? As discussed previously, virtual learning environments are online “classrooms” where employees are trained on company policies and procedures. They can be used to facilitate both virtual instructor-led training and wholly independent learning. With virtual classroom software, organizations can build and deploy custom learning content to meet the needs of their employees. 

While the benefits of self-directed learning in the workplace are extensive, there are a few things businesses should keep in mind prior to implementing cloud-based training labs, including: 

• Technical Difficulties: Virtual IT labs require reliable technology and internet connectivity. Technical glitches or inadequate bandwidth can disrupt learning and cause frustration. As such, it’s important to make sure that everyone has access to the tools they need to participate effectively. 
• Data Security and Privacy: Another thing to be aware of when working with online training labs is that they often involve the handling of sensitive data. Companies should take the appropriate steps to safeguard their data and protect participants from cyber threats. Choose a Virtual IT Labs solution that has security built-in.
• Training and Support: Transitioning from physical to virtual labs can be a significant change for some employees. It’s important that organizations provide comprehensive training on how to use the lab environment. They should also be sure to offer continuous technical support to address any issues that may arise along the way. 
• Quality of Learning Experience: Virtual labs should meet, if not exceed the learning standards set by traditional on-site training. This may require that businesses test different processes and experiment with prototypes before deployment. 
• Lack of Face-to-Face Interaction: One of the biggest potential issues of virtual labs is the lack of in-person interaction. When working with virtual lab environments, businesses should offer plenty of opportunities to get real-time, face-to-face assistance if necessary.

Virtual IT labs, as with any solution, are certainly not without their downsides. There are a number of things businesses should consider when training employees virtually. However, by taking the right steps to address potential roadblocks, they can provide a learning experience that’s just as good—if not better—than traditional training. 

Skytap Virtual IT Labs Training Platforms for Employees

Skytap Virtual IT Labs enable users to build and deliver learning experiences that exceed expectations. Businesses can provide around-the-clock training to anyone, regardless of where they live, and cut training costs with consumption-based pricing. Virtual training is undoubtedly the way of the future, and training platforms for employees like Skytap are helping to ensure a positive learning experience for all involved. Learn about Skytap Virtual IT Labs here.