Many business owners are already aware that training is an essential part of their business strategy. Choosing the right type of training for your company, however, may not be an easy decision. Whether your decision comes down to cost, the size of your business or the type of industry you work in, choosing the right training methods for your staff can significantly affect how successful they are as a team.
Of all the different training methods available to you, classroom-based training is one of the most traditional options. While it is true that many companies, especially those with high staff turnover, are opting for e-Learning as their main training platform, it may be worth considering the old-school methods. With a greater emphasis placed upon teamwork, group learning, and social interaction, classroom training doesn’t only help to teach valuable skills and information – it can also improve working relations amongst your staff.
Social Interaction
The biggest difference between classroom training and e-Learning is the benefit of social interaction. For some of us, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of group learning is the countless days of group work that were inflicted upon us while at school or university. However, it turns out that there’s a method to the madness: group work is, in fact, an extremely effective way of learning.
At its core, group learning enables us to think more creatively and improves our problem-solving abilities. When it comes to employee training, the practicalities of problem-solving with your colleagues also allows you to see firsthand how your fellow employees learn, what methods they use to problem solve and how they perform under pressure. These sorts of sessions can also allow management a chance to observe how fellow staff members work together and foresee any problems that may translate into the workplace.
On a social level, group learning can help to foster stronger relationships between employees that can translate to the workplace, as well as improvements to their general wellbeing. For businesses that often hire people in larger groups rather than on an individual basis, this sort of arrangement can also help to break the ice for any newcomers and make their transition into the company as smooth as possible.
For many people, especially younger generations, creating meaningful relationships in the workplace is more important than chasing a higher salary. Classroom training can be a great opportunity to foster this sort of interaction and can help to create a happier workplace.
Personalization
E-Learning may have the benefit of being completely mobile and available to employees in their own homes, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are getting the most out of their training. Everyone learns differently, and while a computer-based system may be just fine for some, others may need a more personalized approach to their training. Perhaps understandably, this is much easier to provide in a classroom environment, where an instructor is able to change their approach and teaching method based on the group of people in front of them.
In a classroom environment, employees are able to ask questions and interact with the instructor, or even ask their fellow employees if they do not understand something. Employees using digital platforms may be able to learn at their own “pace”, but they cannot easily ask further questions or clarify the phrasing of a question or resource.
With a classroom-based programme, both employees and managers can rest assured that all their questions can be answered. With expert tuition and the help of their peers, nobody should be left in the dark about important information that might make them feel stressed later on, or compromise their ability to do their job
Lack of Procrastination
The other downside to an e-Learning programme is the possibility of procrastination. Though there will be many diligent employees willing to complete online lessons straight away, this will not always be the case.
E-Learning often takes place at home and some employees may simply forget, or will not have the time to complete courses outside of work hours. This will often lead to specific courses not being completed, or management having to use their valuable time chasing up individual employees in order to ensure that their training is completed.
Classroom-based training eliminates this problem, as all (or a select number of) employees are invited to complete the same training course, outside of both the home and the workplace. This separation between work and home can make employees feel more encouraged and motivated, rather than asking them to sacrifice their personal time to complete a work-related task.
A Welcome Break
Separating training programmes from the home and workplace has the added benefit of allowing your staff a break from their day-to-day work duties. Many training rooms and conference centers feature comfortable facilities and offer refreshments and catering, which should be a pleasant treat for your staff.
For larger companies or industries that operate under shift work, it may also be a welcome opportunity to interact with staff members that they may not see due to their busy schedules. This can further help to foster healthy working relationships between employees, and even shed light on fruitful new partnerships.
Taking the extra effort to invest in a classroom-based programme like this, rather than getting your staff to take a 30-minute online class after work, sends a message that you are invested in their workplace wellbeing. Employees are far more likely to feel taken care of when they know that their employer has put this kind of effort into their training programme.
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Through classroom-based training may be more expensive and more logistically challenging than an e-Learning programme, the benefits should speak for themselves. This investment can not only help your employees receive the best training possible but also encourage healthier communication and improve teamwork.
For employers hoping to get the most out of their employees – and to assess which individuals work well together – classroom-based training can be a great way of showing them that their training is a priority for your business. This investment should them motivated, and ensure they are learning the skills they need to thrive in the workplace
