Building scalable learning solutions for corporate training

The corporate training field has reached a pivot point: Roughly three-quarters of businesses report difficulties attracting top talent.¹ Adding to the struggle for organizations hoping to develop that talent in-house, the corporate training market is poised to top $800 billion by 2035.¹ To meet these pressing problems, organizations will increasingly need to develop scalable corporate training solutions capable of growing with their business and adapting to its changing needs.

Building a truly scalable training system encompasses far more than simply adopting the latest technology directly out of the box. To develop an optimal corporate training system, you need to understand the fundamentals of how learning happens in the workplace. You'll need to combine strategic thinking, the right tools and a strong understanding of how to adapt within a modern business environment.

Read on to learn how you can build a truly scalable training program for your business.

Benefits of scalable training programs

The benefits of scalable training programs are manifold and include cost-effectiveness and uniform outcomes, thanks to a common language that cuts across departments and silos.²

Conventional training methods require proportional cost and time increases for each new employee. In contrast, scalable corporate training solutions cut costs at the margin.² Leveraging scalable technology and systems lets a business serve thousands of learners without multiplying costs in a linear fashion. This efficiency becomes ever more critical as a business's operations stretch across locations and time zones.

Not only do these solutions realize cost savings, but they create opportunities for uniform learning outcomes. For example, an employee in a Tokyo office can receive the same training as workers operating in San Francisco or London. This enables seamless transfer of talent across borders and locations, and the workers will more readily align on common goals and outcomes.

Scalable training stands apart from traditional approaches in its ability to adapt quickly to evolving business needs. Whether responding to new regulations, a shift in market conditions or rapidly evolving technology, scalable systems ensure the entire organization benefits from a uniform and speedy messaging system.

Key components of scalable learning solutions

Modular course designs represent a key component of scalable learning platforms for businesses. Unlike fully integrated training programs that require a complete overhaul for content changes, a modular design lets an organization easily tweak and switch out individual components without necessitating large-scale change. This reduces ongoing expenses and makes it easier to regularly update the training.

Cloud-based learning management systems (LMS) are another core component of any large-scale scalable system.³ By enabling rapid change for a dispersed user base from a single source, cloud-based systems allow for rapid system-wide adjustments and the use of real-time analytics.³ Organizations can use these measurements to track progress and swiftly identify and rectify potential issues.

Integration with mobile and microlearning platforms helps scalable learning solutions meet the needs of modern professionals by offering access to training on demand.⁴ Mobile-friendly tools and shorter training sessions help busy workers fit training into their workflows.

Strategies for implementation

The first step in building training programs for large organizations entails assessing training needs and scalability requirements. This analysis needs to go beyond an organization's current size to include future growth considerations. It's also important to remain cognizant of skills that may be necessary in the future and potential market shifts that could influence a business's strategies.

Leveraging automation and analytics technology can streamline the creation of training materials. Automated enrollment systems and predictive analytics can help shrink the size of the training team, while keeping it capable of serving a large and globally dispersed workforce.⁵

Finally, organizations may consider partnering with an eLearning content provider to reduce costs and accelerate implementation. Instead of building every training module in-house, you can outsource more generic trainings. This lets you cut down on development time without sacrificing quality.

Case studies and examples

Intel's implementation of VR-based safety training shows how scalable corporate training solutions can achieve results at an enterprise scale. The technology company trained thousands of employees on complicated safety procedures across multiple facilities using virtual reality simulations. This achieved a remarkable 300% return on investment while also reducing training time.⁶

In addition, Walmart's use of microlearning through the Axonify platform resulted in a 54% decrease in safety incidents.⁷ Although this training stretched to 75,000 workers across more than 150 distribution centers, it was thorough, effective and consistent.⁷

Challenges and solutions

One of the greatest challenges facing employee training program development is the need to effectively meet the requirements of a diverse learning population. The solution lies in sophisticated personalized engines that can automatically adapt content format and pacing based on learner profiles and performance.⁸

Ensuring engagement in virtual training environments requires design that goes beyond simply digitizing existing content. To be successful, a program must incorporate gamification elements and interactive simulations. Social learning features can also help to maintain learner attention and motivation. Research shows that gamification alone can enhance learner engagement by 60%.⁷

Balancing scalability with personalization is a foundational challenge when it comes to corporate e-learning strategies. Integrating these sophisticated personalization tools can help square this circle.

Transform your organization through learning science excellence

Organizations that master scalable corporate training solutions will outpace those constrained by traditional systems. Southern Methodist University’s online Master of Science in the Learning Sciences (MSLS) program prepares professionals to lead this transformation. You'll learn the latest in cutting-edge research on teaching and learning practices while also gaining valuable practical skills.

Reach out to an admissions advisor today and learn more about how SMU's MSLS program can transform your skillset and career through innovative learning opportunities.