Why Blended Learning is the Future of Employee Upskilling

'Upskilling’ involves the acquiring of new skills to develop one’s expertise in a field or profession. By undertaking continuous professional development, employees will increase and maintain competence in their roles and potentially be in a position to take on more responsibility or move into higher-level positions within the firm.

Traditional CPD training may involve classroom-based learning or the completion of online learning modules. Both have their advantages and disadvantages but there is also a middle ground, known as ‘blended learning’.

Blended learning offers much more flexibility and a range of benefits than traditional learning and development methods. This makes it the ideal solution for upskilling insurance industry professionals.

Blended learning combines multiple training methods such as online courses, instructor-led training, classroom workshops, real-life projects, and more, to create a learning experience that caters to different learning styles.

Below are 5 ways blended learning can benefit your firm in your upskilling programme.

Offers Flexibility: Blended learning combines different ways of learning, such as e-learning, in-person training and applied practical sessions. By offering a flexible approach to training, blended learning can accommodate individual learning needs. Visual and independent learners can benefit from e-learning courses, while people who learn best by listening or being part of a group can benefit most from live instructor-led classrooms. People who learn best by doing things or applying logic can benefit from hands-on practice by engaging in applied learning projects.

Improves Learning: Blended learning can enhance the learning experience for insurance industry professionals by incorporating e-learning. This approach arguably improves retention and engagement levels among employees. According to Dr Edgar Dale’s Cone of Experience Model, retention improves with the involvement of more senses in the corporate learning process. The blended learning system offers a variety of training modes to meet any learning style.

Gives Learners More Control: In the insurance industry, time is a valuable commodity, and employees may struggle to find time for training. Blended learning allows learners to control the pace of their learning. By studying online, employees can establish their learning schedule according to their needs, allowing them to work at a pace that suits them best. This approach avoids the pace set by the fastest or slowest learner in a group, ensuring that everyone gets the training they need. Blended learning offers learners the flexibility to skip ahead past familiar information or to re-watch material as needed, as well as access additional resources to improve their understanding.

Cuts Costs and Improves ROI: Blended learning requires fewer instructors and does not always require physical space, which significantly reduces the cost of upskilling employees. With blended learning, distance learning can be done at a global scale, reducing the impact of training on daily operations and employees. One report found that e-learning reduced training costs by 35 percent for Ernst & Young. Additionally, the company saved time with a blended learning approach by condensing about 2,900 hours of classroom training into 1,400 hours using a combination of web-based learning, distance learning, and classroom instruction. This approach resulted in a 53% reduction.

Improves Feedback: Learners can receive valuable feedback to improve their performance. Periodic online tests, quizzes, and projects can help demonstrate an employee’s retention level. Learners can easily contact instructors for assistance in resolving any doubts or queries they may have, which helps to improve feedback. The instructor can provide timely support to the learners and address any issues seamlessly, which can boost motivation levels before assessing the employees.

If you are interested in putting together a blended learning solution for your business, we would be pleased to work with you. For more information, please contact helpdesk@rwagroup.co.uk

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