11 Benefits of Online and Remote Training

Online training courses have become more popular as organizations implement new safety guidelines and require more flexibility to improve technical skills knowledge among the workforce. Employees in need of training may work at remote facilities or work different shifts. Coordinating traditional on-the-job training in such circumstances can be time-consuming, costly, and sometimes frustrating. 

Online training courses resolve such issues, allowing training from a variety of different locations and can be delivered at any time. The benefits of online training are both practical and financial while empowering and engaging your employees.

1. Cost-efficiency

Traditional training carries with it costs over and above course fees. Travel costs, hotel rooms, and meals all increase the price of training, while the temporary loss of skilled employees reduces productivity or forces businesses to close for the duration of the training. 

Online training courses don’t have any travel and accommodation costs associated with them, making them much more cost-efficient. The exact date and time your employees take the course is flexible, so you can minimize the impact of training on business production. 

2. As-needed training

One of the great benefits of online training is the ability to get courses to employees on an as-needed basis. Self-directed online courses are available 24/7, making them ideal for onboarding new employees or for employees training from home or isolated locations.

3. Improved employee retention

The human brain quickly forgets training unless information learned is reinforced. Online training uses a range of educational strategies including virtual demonstrations, game theory, interactive content, online quizzes, and video. By keeping online training courses interesting and varying learning techniques, engagement, and retention is increased. 

4. Reduced learning time

Online training generally takes less time to complete than traditional courses. Startup and wrap-up times tend to be shorter than for on-the-job training and in-person classes, and classes are more focused with fewer distractions. Online training also avoids time spent traveling, greatly reducing time costs. 

5. Ongoing access to important resources

Online training courses often come with online resources that can be used for reference moving forward, providing value long after the course ends. Such resources are easily accessed using mobile devices, so employees can double-check important information on the job. 

6. Consistent training tools

Consistency is another of the benefits of remote training. If you have employees training in different locations or training from home, the most important courses can be standardized so everyone receives the same information. 

7. Online training is scalable

In-person courses usually have a cap on the number of students. Online training courses do not have such constraints, and can easily scale up to meet your needs. 

8. Online training reduces fear of failure

Remember school, when you were afraid to put up your hand and answer a question because you were scared you’d get it wrong? Or worse, you answered the question incorrectly, and the class laughed at you? Many people were conditioned by that fear of looking foolish in front of their peers. This concern can lead to employees not contributing to in-person training.

Online training offers the opportunity to fail in a risk-free environment, free from concerns of embarrassment or peer ridicule. This is important, as failing and learning from mistakes is part of the learning process. By allowing students to make mistakes without fear, online training improves engagement and course outcomes. 

9. Immediate feedback

Online training courses provide employees and employers alike with feedback. Quiz results and regular assessments evaluate how well the employee has absorbed information, and are immediately available to the student.

Data gathered throughout remote training is also available to employers, so they can evaluate overall course performance and track the progress of individual employees. 

10. Proof of completion

Whether training at home or at work, employees who complete online training courses receive certificates of completion. Employers also have access to completion records, making it easy to provide documentation of training needed to remain in compliance with federal, state, or local regulations. 

11. A cleaner environment

Consumers increasingly demand companies demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and the environment. Choosing online training uses 90% less energy than traditional training

Need online training for your maintenance staff or electricians? Need to train employees in vital safety techniques? 

Learn more about online self-paced training for your enterprise by seeing a demo of FUSION, a TPC Solution.