Excellence At Work Podcast Episode 173

How Covid Has Changed Training in the Workplace

 

The HCX Radio Podcast hosted by Rachel Cook, COO of Brandon Hall Group, featured David Proegler, Managing Principal at Latitude, to discuss the impact of the pandemic on extended enterprise training and its evolution. The conversation built on a prior webinar, “From Activity to Impact: How COVID Has Changed Training in the Workplace,” and explored unique challenges and adaptations in extended enterprise training.

Key Discussion Points
Challenges of Extended Enterprise Training
  • Definition and Scope: The extended enterprise includes dealer networks and external partners responsible for selling, servicing, and using products. These individuals often don’t work directly for the organization but are vital to its success.
  • Hands-On Training Needs: Training often requires physical interaction with equipment, such as turning a wrench on a vehicle, which was disrupted by the pandemic.
  • Certification and Compliance: Maintaining certifications and meeting compliance standards became a significant challenge during lockdowns and social distancing.
Rapid Adaptation During the Pandemic
  • Grassroots Innovation:
    • Trainers quickly adopted tools like cameras, Zoom, and virtual meeting platforms to transition hands-on training to virtual formats.
    • Multi-camera setups allowed detailed demonstrations (e.g., brake repair) from various angles, providing a more comprehensive view than traditional in-person sessions.
  • Organizational Support:
    • Mid-level managers and trainers led initial adaptation efforts, which were later formalized and integrated into larger training strategies by organizations.
  • Blended Learning Enhancements:
    • Virtual tools enabled a reduction in classroom time while improving training quality, allowing more focused in-person sessions.
Advantages of Virtual Technologies
  • Enhanced Training Delivery:
    • Virtual tools improved learner experience by providing clearer visuals, better audio, and recorded sessions for review.
    • These tools served as a valuable stop-gap and a long-term addition to training paradigms.
  • Flexibility and Accessibility:
    • Learning bites and recorded sessions became accessible for refresher training, reducing the need for repeated classroom sessions.
  • On-the-Job Reinforcement:
    • Sales and customer interaction training benefited from virtual formats, allowing immediate application of skills and reinforcement on the job.
Long-Term Evolution in Training
  • Technology Adoption:
    • Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are emerging but have yet to become mainstream due to costs and implementation challenges.
    • Grassroots efforts, such as using basic video tools, provided immediate solutions and are being refined for broader application.
  • Compliance Flexibility:
    • Certification bodies may need to adapt to new training modalities, accepting virtual formats as part of compliance requirements, supplemented by practical demonstrations.
  • Blended Learning for Efficiency:
    • Training programs are evolving to balance virtual and hands-on components, reducing time away from the job while maintaining effectiveness.
Future Considerations
  • Evolving Standards:
    • Certification and compliance standards must adapt to reflect the effectiveness of new training methodologies.
  • LMS Improvements:
    • Learning management systems (LMS) must evolve to deliver easily accessible learning bites for on-the-job reinforcement.
  • Opportunities for Growth:
    • The pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual training tools, creating new opportunities for organizations to innovate and enhance training delivery.
Conclusion

The pandemic highlighted the importance of flexibility and innovation in extended enterprise training. Grassroots efforts and virtual technologies provided immediate solutions, while blended learning approaches offered long-term benefits. Organizations now have an opportunity to refine these methodologies, adapt compliance standards, and further integrate technology to create more efficient and effective training programs. The conversation emphasized that the future of training in extended enterprises will likely be a hybrid of traditional hands-on and advanced virtual techniques.