The Obvious (and hidden) Health and Safety Benefits of Online Employee Training and Development

Benefits of Health and Safety Training

When considering training and development, there are numerous categories such as management training, for one, depending on the nature of business, and where there may be need for skilled employees.

The idea behind training is that it provides employees with a prime opportunity to expand their knowledge base in a certain area, or across numerous areas which can aid in career development and benefits the organisation through an increase of skilled employees.

SafetyWallet provides various organizations with a unique offering that aids companies in becoming more compliant where Health and Safety is concerned along with rewarding its members generously in the journey to the highest level of compliance.

In addition, SafetyWallet also offers services such as free access to various E-Learning courses to its members. Such E-Learning courses have an array of advantages with some that are obvious and others that are hidden but of which the positive results can be seen.

Why has E-Learning become more popular?

From having to physically attend courses and classes, technological advancement has made it possible for learners to access training materials from the palms of their hands.

As electronic devices have replaced the whiteboards and chalkboards of old, E-Learning has become more popular due to an array of reasons and thus, it has brought numerous benefits to the front.

What are the benefits of ensuring adequate training and development?

1.  Access is convenient and flexible

One of the obvious advantages with E-Learning is that it is easily accessible and allows for flexible learning in a busy work- and personal life. Courses provided through E-Learning can be accessed at any time from an array of devices.

2.  Budget-friendly

When considering digital training, the cost-effectiveness thereof may not be the very first factor considered, although it is one of the great advantages associated with E-Learning.

Although the initial setup cost may be costly depending on the complexity of the course, the investment in E-Learning will save organizations a substantial amount of money in the long-run.

3.  Different learning styles are supported

Each employee or learner differs in the way that they learn. Others may benefit from processing large amounts of information where others prefer visual and audio courses in the form of videos and podcasts.

E-Learning caters for the different ways in which individuals can learn and retain information. Assessments to test the knowledge of learners can also be presented in various ways such as quizzes, case studies, and more.

4.  Self-driven and self-paced

When starting a training program, it cannot be guaranteed that every learner will possess the same skill, knowledge, or experience and while some learn faster than others, these factors need to be taken into account to ensure adequate training and development.

E-Learning provides learners with the opportunity to learn at their own pace according to the learning needs that they may have.

Online Training

5.  Results are measurable and reportable

When investing into certain initiatives to improve the overall skill, knowledge, and experience of employees which will inevitably affect their development, it is imperative for organizations to access and measure results derived from such initiatives.

When investing in E-Learning courses as opposed to conventional training and development, organizations can measure the effectiveness thereof more easily through:

  • Completion rates
  • Forum engagement
  • Assessment grades
  • The time that it takes a learner to complete a course, and more.

6.  Record-keeping and administration can be done digitally

Training that is provided and conducted online allows for the digital capturing and representation of results which can easily be communicated and dispersed without having to worry about a paper-trail which can be lost or compromised more easily.

7.  Aligned according to 21st-century business

When considering that the world is evolving and becoming more technologically advanced, it only seems fair that the provision of training evolves technologically as well to increase its efficiency and distribution in addition to increase ease of access.

Most people spend a significant amount of time on electronic devices, whether it is professionally, or recreationally, with smartphones being one of the most used electronic devices today and this can be utilized when rolling out E-Learning courses.

8.  Interactivity along with gamification

When considering that some training and skills involve more participation from the learner than watching a video or reading through simple notes would provide, E-Learning offers the perfect solution through LMS.

This offers features that support gamification in addition to branching scenarios with the added benefit that simulations deliver the ideal and ultimate level required for effective interaction with the advantage of avoiding the risks involved with a real-life scenario.

New skills can be put to practice in a safe environment and this allows learners to effectively apply these skills in a real-life scenario.

9.  Expert support provided

Although most training and development initiatives can be presented digitally, there is however often need for live facilitation along with expert support.

This can be achieved through E-Learning as it allows learners to work through training material at their own pace while simultaneously having access to subject matter experts to provide guidance, support, and assistance where and when it is needed.

Such supports are adequately provided through some of the following:

  • Frequently Asked Question, or FAQ, sections.
  • Question and Answer features.
  • Chat forums.
  • Webinars, and more.

10.        Collaboration and community building

Although training and development can be undertaken by an individual learner, there is always the opportunity for it to be presented as an interactive, collaborative, and social exercise.

Some learners may learn more effectively through interactions with their peers as opposed to having to read through a manual. The benefit of social interaction with training is that it opens to discussions that may lead to innovation.

E-Learning makes provision for such by allowing for the creation of discussion forums and live tutorials which allows for learners to interact with others, and it provides a unique and social training environment.

11.        Feedback and recognition are instantaneous

When making use of assessments such as quizzes and branching scenarios, feedback from the training session can be instantaneous and it can aid learners in gauging how they are progressing in their training.

It also allows learners the opportunity of revisiting sections of material that they have not quite yet mastered and when mastering such sections, the gamification features provide learners with a sense of recognition and achievement.

When learners can track their progress and there is recognition involved in their achievements, it often inspires and motivates them to learn more to achieve better results.

12.        Connection and standardization are widespread

It is imperative to consider that not all work environments are the same and there are differences within an organization such as departments, different teams, remote workers, multiple teams in one setting, and more.

These factors make it difficult to provide a standardized training program but in providing training and development through E-Learning, it can be standardized and personalized to suit the need of the organization and its employees within their unique capacities.

Final Words

There are various obvious advantages associated with E-Learning but there are equally as many hidden advantageous that can be derived from this, and their impact can be seen across an organization.

E-Learning provides organizations with a more easily accessible and flexible ways to ensure that employees are acquiring new skills, knowledge, and experience and in turn it provides learners with solutions that cater for their individual training and learning needs.

When viewed holistically, it is possible to see how E-Learning affects the success of organizations not only based on overall operational success, but also when considering employee satisfaction in the career development and training opportunities offered.


Posted date: 19th Aug 2020
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