Getting Your Skills on Track - Part Four: Introducing LMS

"Statistics have shown that 72% of organizations have gained competitive advantage due to LMS innovation (FinancesOnline)."

Here it is, folks; the fourth and final entry to everyone’s favorite blog series, “Getting Your Skills on Track!” These blogs were created to address a critical issue in the workforce, the skills gap. Let’s re-cap what we have talked about so far.

• We outlined how to identify the skills gaps that are preventing your organization from reaching its full potential. The solution was broken down into four key parts to help get your organization back on track.
• After identifying the skills gap, we discussed the concepts of reskilling and upskilling and how they can be beneficial to your company. Through reskilling and upskilling efforts, we aim to enhance employees’ current skills, as well as teaching them entirely new ones, based on your organization’s critical needs.
• For these efforts to be effective, we must assess the best way to prepare your employees to learn. Creating a comfortable learning environment with positive reinforcements and lots of encouragement will foster growth within your organization

Now that your company is in a good place to learn and build skills, it is time to implement new learning systems to develop them. In this final blog we will discuss Learning Management Systems (LMS). The use of this technology makes staff training arguably easier than traditional teaching methods and encourages employees to perform better in their role. In fact, a recent study reveals 76% of employees say that a company would be more appealing if it offered additional skills training to its staff. Let’s learn why.

What is LMS?­­­­

Learning Management Systems

Typically seen as LMS, these are systems or platforms that help you to manage your employees’ learning and development. They can be easily modified to include cloud-based solutions. Delivering flexible capabilities that can be customized to fit all needs and requirements makes them invaluable to corporations, enterprises, nonprofits, and more. Tracking, analytics, and reports are used to help determine educational needs and improvements; while training courses are offered to those who require new skills to perform tasks in the workforce.

How do they work?

• Similar to distance education used by universities, these LMSs are online learning platforms where assessments and learning content can be accessed and learners and trainers of any type (including managers and subject matter experts) can interact using forums, blogs, and just-in-time learning.

• Trainers have an admin log-in which allows them to create courses and assign tasks to employees with complete visibility into completed work, graded results, and feedback from learners.

Employees are provided with information about the content, skill-building assignments, and links to resources, all geared to help grasp concepts needed for the job, when and where they need it. Why should your organization get an LMS?

Benefits of an LMS include the unique abilities to support a atmosphere.

• Employees can work to develop skills at their own pace. With unlimited access to materials assigned to them, they can practice work-related tasks at any time. This is especially beneficial to global audiences located in different time zones.
• LMSs organize content in one location to lessen the risk of losing data and supply easier, more efficient ways to learn. A learner’s performance can easily be tracked to ensure milestones are being met. Managers are easily able to see where skills are lacking and update the lessons accordingly.
• Your learning and development budget will thank you. With the use of an LMS f, you will not have to pay for instructor travel costs, printed material, training site rentals etc.
• Provides employees with only the information they need when they need it. Rather than having to sit through lengthy courses, learners can simply click through the modules they need and assess understanding through assessments. Simulations, interactive scenarios, and videos keep learners engaged.
• Learning Management Systems give you the ability to easily make changes to content and updates reflecting compliance regulations. Employees can be notified of these changes to ensure everyone is in alliance with company policies and expectations, decreasing risk.

Which LMS System is right for your organization?

Now that you understand how your organization will benefit from an LMS, let’s help you find the best solution to upskill/reskill your employees. As business needs continue to change, learning systems must support the needs of their users. Not all LMSs are created equal, and of course, we want you to get the one best suited for your company. Use the suggestions provided below to evaluate [GU1] the several types of Learning Management Systems available. Following these tips [GU2] will help you to determine your company’s needs and create the learning experience that is ideal for your employees to learn.

Tips to choosing the best Learning Management System:

1.      Determine needs, expectations, and overall goal.

• Get a clear sense of your business needs and the learning goals you need to achieve. This may include one-on-one interviews, focus groups, or surveys to gain an understanding of where the skills gaps lie.

2.   Narrow down a list of key features you would like your LMS to offer.

• Create a brief list of requirements that enable the creation of the most effective solution. Determine if mobile delivery required and how interactive you would like the content to be. This is where it will be most important to look at your employees and figure out what they will respond best to.

3.      Consider limitations.

• In addition to some technology limitations what are the capabilities of your audience? Are they tech savvy? Will they be able to use these systems easily and efficiently? Will some learners require more basic systems? These questions will all be factors when introducing LMS to your employees and integrating it into the workforce. Some learning management systems offer 24/7 support while others offer FAQ forums or chat rooms for specified hours. Based on your learners’ needs, determine which level of support you will be best suited for your company.

4.   When determining your LMS, focus on current and future needs.

• Focus on choosing a system that will work for your company in the future just not right now. Ensure it is easy to update and maintain overtime. Additionally, will you be able to integrate other, potentially newer, tools and technologies down the line? It is necessary to ask the vendor about product testing before purchase so needs can be assessed in a trial run or live demo of the LMS offered.

5.   In some situations, a custom solution is the right choice.

• Focus on choosing a system that will work for your company in the future just not right now. Ensure it is easy to update and maintain overtime. Additionally, will you be able to integrate other, potentially newer, tools and technologies down the line? It is necessary to ask the vendor about product testing before purchase so needs can be assessed in a trial run or live demo of the LMS offered.

You now know the ins and outs of preparing your organization to learn and creating the optimum learning environment for them to do so. Coupled with your newfound LMS, nothing is standing in the way of providing your employees with the skills necessary to excel on the job and ensure sustainability of your organization!

“The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is, not training them and having them stay.” ~ Henry Ford

‍