Why eLearning can be the most effective tool to bridge skills gaps, increase efficiencies and improve performance

Research suggests that around 40% of current workers in the UK don’t have the right qualifications for their job, either being underqualified or overqualified. As well as this, an estimated 20% of the workforce will be significantly under-skilled for their jobs by 2030. This could amount to around 6.5 million people.

Employees who lack the necessary skills to move up the career ladder may find themselves stuck in their current roles, and without visibility of their skills shortages, leave them blind to future opportunities. On the one hand, this can lead to dissatisfaction, decreased motivation, and increased staff turnover, and on the other, create potential risks through shortcomings in competence and compliance and even corporate governance — all of which negatively impact an organisation.

When an organisation has a skills shortage, it can have a number of negative effects on its operations and overall success. These might include:

1. Delayed or compromised projects,
2. Decreased productivity,
3. Increased employee stress and burnout,
4. Ineffectiveness in utilising resources,
5. Restricted growth opportunities,
6. Increased training and recruitment costs,
7. Decreased innovation and creativity.

To address a skills shortage, organisations may consider strategies like investing in training and development programmes, partnering with educational institutions, implementing targeted recruitment efforts, outsourcing certain tasks, and promoting a positive work culture to retain existing skilled employees.

How does an eLearning strategy help an organisation overcome skills gaps?

At eAlliance Learning Technology we believe that eLearning can make a significant contribution to bridging skills gaps. Here are 10 ways we can help make this happen:

1. Access to a wide range of courses: eLearning platforms provide businesses with access to a variety of courses covering different topics and skill sets. This allows employees to acquire new skills and knowledge, filling the gaps in their expertise.
2. Flexibility and convenience: eLearning enables employees to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. This flexibility allows them to fit their learning around their work commitments, reducing disruption to the business operations.
3. Cost-effective training: Traditional training methods, such as instructor-led classes, can be expensive to organise and may require employees to travel. eLearning eliminates these costs by delivering training online, reducing the overall expense associated with upskilling the workforce.
4. Interactive and engaging content: Interactive and engaging digital learning content keeps employees motivated and interested in the training programmes, utilising multimedia elements such as videos, quizzes, and simulations to enhance the learning experience.
5. Personalised learning pathways: With eLearning, businesses can create personalised learning pathways for each employee based on their existing skills and identified gaps. This ensures that employees receive targeted training to fill the specific skills gaps they have, leading to more efficient and effective learning outcomes.
6. Continuous learning culture: eLearning platforms can provide access to a wide range of resources, such as articles, videos, and webinars. This encourages employees to engage in continuous learning, facilitating the development of a learning culture within the organisation and bridging skills gaps as they emerge.
7. Collaborative learning forums: Creating online forums enables employees to interact and share knowledge with their peers. Encourage discussions, group projects, and knowledge sharing to foster a culture of continuous learning within the organisation.
8. Up-skilling and re-skilling programmes: Offer specific up-skilling and re-skilling programmes tailored to meet the changing demands of your industry. Identify emerging skills gaps and provide targeted training to help businesses stay competitive and adapt to technological advancements.
9. Gamification and rewards: Incorporate gamification elements into the learning programmes to increase engagement and motivation. Provide rewards and incentives for completing courses or achieving specific learning milestones to encourage participation and continuous learning.
10. Performance tracking and analytics: eLearning platforms include tools that track progress and analyse employee performance during and after the training programmes. Provide businesses with detailed reports and analytics to measure the effectiveness of the learning interventions and identify areas for improvement.

By leveraging eLearning, businesses can empower their employees to acquire new skills and knowledge conveniently and cost-effectively, ultimately bridging workforce skills gaps and boosting overall productivity and competitiveness.

To find out how we can help your organisation identify and reduce skills gaps, increase efficiencies and improve performance contact us or give us a call on 07887 776182