The IT world is always changing rapidly, and you need to keep your skills up to date to avoid becoming obsolete.
We spoke with Brett Shively, CEO of ACI Learning, which provides IT, cybersecurity, and audit training to organizations around the world, about the importance of training and the impact of a personalized approach.
BN: Why is it important to have an effective training strategy in place?
BS: In today's business environment of intense competition, tight budgets, talent shortages and emerging technologies, opportunities are enticing but skills gaps can occur. Training becomes a vital part of employee experience, retention and learning success. As companies realize that employee learning is critical to business success, it's more important than ever to have an effective training strategy in place.
With an effective training strategy, employees can get the education they need to stay competitive in today's tough business environment. Companies cannot afford to overlook skill gaps or not provide their employees with the tools they need to adapt to new technologies such as generative AI. By leveraging assessment tools, thoughtfully adopting AI-powered tools, and offering incentives, companies can motivate employees to engage with training content and foster a culture of continuous learning and development. Additionally, a customized approach to training can ensure that the learning experience caters to the diverse needs and preferences of employees, ultimately increasing employee satisfaction, retention, and business success.
Whether it's technology (AI, cybersecurity, etc.) or regulatory (audits, etc.) the landscape is changing incredibly fast, and companies that proactively support continuous learning rather than leaving it up to their employees will see better outcomes like those mentioned above.
BN: How can you improve your training efforts to ensure employees are getting the education they need and support a culture of continuous learning and development within your organization?
BS: Prioritizing creating a customized approach to increase engagement requires tailoring training programs to the specific needs and preferences of different employee groups, down to the individual level if necessary. It's important to recognize generational differences, for example, that Gen Z prefers self-directed, short content like TikTok-style videos, while millennials prefer more structured, longer-form instructor-led content. Investing in a versatile training platform that can accommodate different learning styles is essential to ensure all employees effectively acquire the skills and knowledge they need. This ultimately leads to why assessment is important: having a foundational understanding of each individual helps you create a training program that is most effective for each individual's needs.
It's important to remember that a successful training program is about more than just upskilling. Re-skilling your employees ultimately fosters a culture of continuous growth and learning, which in turn increases employee satisfaction and, in turn, employee retention. By implementing the strategies above, companies can strengthen their training efforts and achieve not only improved performance, but also a workforce that is eager to embrace new possibilities that will drive organizational progress.
While adopting a new training tool may seem daunting and daunting, incentives have emerged as an easy and effective way to reignite employees' enthusiasm for learning. Incorporating fun and intriguing elements into your training content can increase active engagement. For example, a leader dashboard provides real-time insights into training progress, achievements, and comparative rankings among peers, fostering a sense of friendly competition. Gamifying your training material by incorporating points, levels, challenges, and rewards can also greatly enhance the learning experience, making it more fun and interactive.
Tangible rewards are a powerful incentive for employees to actively participate in training initiatives. Implementing a skill points system where employees earn points as they master new skills creates a way to redeem rewards such as gift cards, additional time off, or bonuses. Such rewards not only recognize employees' enthusiasm for learning, but also reinforce a culture that values continuous development.
BN: How will AI change the future of training and education?
BS: AI-powered tools can help organizations take their training efforts to the next level through personalized learning, deeper engagement, improved efficiency, and comprehensive access. For example, AI can answer learner questions about terminology and technology with succinct summaries. It can also assist students with the creation of automated flashcards and study tools, and help students self-assess their learning.
AI also has the ability to equip both technical and non-technical employees with the skills they need to navigate an evolving landscape of AI-powered systems and tools. To successfully integrate AI into training programs, careful attention to adoption is key. Organizations need to avoid overwhelming employees with new information and capabilities. Instead, a phased approach and ample support can help employees become more familiar with these transformative technologies effectively, ultimately maximizing the value they bring to training and education initiatives.
BN: What are the benefits of an effective training program?
BS: Effective training supports both “top-down,” where there is a defined training path, and “bottom-up,” where learners can choose their own path. In reality, it should be a combination of both. Training should be engaging, fun, and to the point. Effective programs should also include self-assessment and real-world opportunities to repeatedly practice skills. But I especially want to emphasize how important the fun part is. If learners are enthusiastic and enjoying the training, it will produce results and help build a healthy culture around learning and development. Without proper training, not only will it cause frustration and dissatisfaction among employees, it will pose a huge risk to retention and potentially hinder your company's success.
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