With the continued evolvement of technology, a global pandemic, and a new generation settling into the workplace, the Learning and Development industry has unique and ever-changing needs.

It has never been more important to maintain resilience and flexibility in corporate settings. And finding ways to anticipate changes – such as trends in the training industry - can help with that.

Why take the time to understand training industry trends? Well, if you know the industry, you can better predict your training needs for 2022, and anticipate them accordingly.

Below are some factors that have impacted the training industry in 2021/2022, and how you can adjust your training strategy accordingly to stay on top.

Training in the 2020s = Accommodating a Pandemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic became most prevalent in 2020, no one could have predicted the ways that it impacted every aspect of life, including how you provide corporate training in your organization.

Before covid, online learning was still very prevalent, and used as a convenient option to accommodate trainee’s busy schedules and geographical locations. However, it has now become absolutely essential.

Online learning is the only safe way to develop your trainee’s skills in this day and age. Fortunately, it is more accessible than ever. And educational software companies (such as ourselves) are always working to make it user friendly, well designed, interactive, and affordable.

For example, over the past year, we have completely revamped the courses that are pre-loaded onto our LMS.

Online learning will not be going away anytime soon. And between the pandemic and an increasingly fast-paced world, you need training that fits with the “new normal” for working.

If you feel as though you don’t have time to develop your own online soft skills training content, you are not alone. Join thousands of trainers who trust our Learning Management System for convenient, instructorless online training.

Top Skills for Learning and Development in 2022

If you still don’t think soft skills training isn’t imperative to the success of your organization, now is the time to get caught up before you find yourself falling behind.

EdgePoint Learning discusses a research study that found that found that 75% of long-term job success depends upon mastering soft skills, while only 25% relies on technical skills.

Soft skills are the future of workplace training. According to the LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, upskilling and reskilling is the top priority for Learning and Development professionals globally.

Upskilling is upgrading current skills with complementary training that will allow the trainee to grow within their role.

Reskilling is when the trainee is given training to take on an entirely new role.

Internal organizational shifts allow for trusted employees to grow in the organization and work in the role that best suits them. It also saves employers time and expenses to onboard someone who is entirely new to the organization, which is critical now more than ever due to turnover being more common in the workplace.

The second priority according to the report is Leadership and Management. Providing training to your employees who are working towards a leadership role can boost their confidence and prepare them for this unique type of role, whether they are new to it or are looking for a refresher. Some of the courses we offer that will get you started on leadership/management training include:

• Leadership and Influence
• Servant Leadership
• Leadership Development for Women
• Middle Manager
• Office Politics For Managers
• Team Building For Managers
• Manager Management
• Developing New Managers

The third priority discussed in the report is virtual onboarding. With remote working being more prevalent than ever for the last several years, there have been countless numbers of new employees who needed to start their new role from home. This majorly shifts the dynamic for team building as new employees join the organization. Some of the courses we offer that will get you started on getting your onboarded employees adjusted to your organization include:

• Virtual Team Building and Management
• High Performance Teams Remote Workforce

Generational Gaps

Millennials take up 35% of the US workforce. This means they are still the largest generation in the U.S. workforce, as they have been since 2016.

Millennials in the workforce are less likely to stay in the same job for more than 1 to 5 years. They also value working for organizations that closely align with their own personal values.

While millennials are still taking over the workforce, Gen Z is making a mark in the workplace too, and they are only just beginning.

According to the most recent LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 75% of Gen Z learners believe learning is the key to a successful career. And they have been learning more than ever thanks to online learning.

They are most motivated by opportunities for career growth, and spend time learning to help them do well in their current jobs, work in a different function, or shift to a different internal role.

Between the growing establishment of millennials in the workplace and the drive and curiosity to learn new things from Gen Z, these generations are sure to succeed in the workforce while bringing fresh and new ideas to the table.

Considering Unique Learning Approaches

With the structure of our work week evolving more than ever, there’s no doubt that the format for how we work and learn has changed. This could involve shifts into flex hours, or full-time to part-time remote working.

This is applicable to corporate training too. With trainees that have many specific and unique needs, ditching the one-size-fits-all approach is key to providing effective training. This can be done through individualized training. This approach to corporate training provides a more individualized format of training that gives employees options to receive their training in a way that suits their needs. This could involve providing in-person training, the use of a Learning Management System, or a blended learning approach.

Another training approach anticipated to continue to grow in popularity in 2022 is microlearning. Microlearning provides employees with easily-digested bites of information or instruction that can be immediately applied to a task or project.

Microlearning has never been easier with our fully customizable instructor-led training materials. Select relevant modules and distribute accordingly. Microlearning has been proven to improve focus and retention, and could be the ideal approach for upcoming generations entering the workforce in 2022.

Conclusion

We hope that this blog post starts a conversation in your organization to consider what is to come for the training industry in 2022. By understanding trends and anticipating trainer needs, you can be better equipped to provide optimal training for your organization.

Ready to get started on your corporate training but don’t know where to begin? We have you covered! See what our Workshop Training Library can do for you and get started today with a free course download.

Posted by Katelyn Roy on January 20, 2022