Training Goes Virtual

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

With five generations in the workforce and training demands increasing while resources remain relatively lean, Wake County Human Resources (HR) needed a new training approach to meet the organization’s evolving training needs. Analysis revealed that some of the training needs could be achieved through online training or e-learning rather than instructor-led training. HR purchased a tool to create nearly 70 interactive online training courses covering topics such as diversity, discrimination and interviewing. In addition, HR transitioned a four-hour benefits orientation and open enrollment into an interactive e-learning where participants could review benefit options numerous times and at home with their family members. E-learning has quicker delivery cycle times than traditional classroom-based instruction and because of the speed and ease in which e-learning is delivered, the costs associated with learning and development is reduced. E-learning offers a greener and more cost-effective method of training because it expands the reach of the training team and training has 24/7 accessibility. Designing the training modules in-house allows content to be tailored and updated at no additional cost. Prior to launching e-learning training, employees completed around 3600 HR trainings per year. After launching e-learning, the number of completed training sessions grew to 19,532. Meaning, on average, employees went from attending 1class a year to attending 5 a year. E-learning also allows learning to be tracked at every stage of participation to ensure that the learning is progressing according to the intended plan.