A recent trend we’ve observed in the modern workforce is the emphasis on making the workplace flexible with more engaging and meaningful roles and a strong work-life balance. At the same time, the millennial and Gen Z workforce has rejected the “grind culture” that defined the previous generations. These shifts in corporate culture are undoubtedly for the better. 

These changes are also reflected in the way organizations train their employees. Corporations have come to appreciate the value of developing their employees’ skills and creating a people-centric culture. According to the latest LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 89% of organizations agree that building employees’ skills can help them navigate the future of work. 

This is why it is important to stay up to date with the latest corporate training trends. Let’s take a look at what the future of corporate training looks like in 2023 and beyond!

Bigger and Better AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already been making headlines this year, so predictably, AI continues to be a major trend in corporate training. The adoption of AI technology in eLearning has been on a steady rise in the past few years, thanks to many ways that AI tools make corporate training more efficient.

AI can assess a learner’s skill and competence level and help create personalized learning experiences based on their interests. Employees can also get round-the-clock support and virtual mentorship in the form of AI-powered chatbots. On top of that, several AI tools like Grammarly and Otter are already commonly used in the workplace. 

With the advent of ChatGPT, AI technology has taken a huge leap and it looks like a promising venture, especially for corporate training purposes. We can expect AI to get even more common in the workplace as we go beyond this year.

Nanolearning on the Rise

Move over microlearning; we’re now going even smaller. 

Enter Nanolearning. 

Nanolearning builds on the concept of teaching small, just-in-time nuggets of information to trainees that focus on a single learning objective and employ videos, quizzes, or quick activities to get the information across. Taking it a step further than microlearning, nanolearning makes the lessons even shorter, lasting approximately 3-5 minutes.

This bite-sized learning format caters to the ever-shortening attention span of the newer generations. It is also a highly effective way of ensuring retention. 

The value that nanolearning brings to corporate training is unparalleled. Employees no longer need to dedicate huge chunks of their time to dull training seminars that seldom get their point across. 

Immersive Technology: Here to Stay

The past couple of years have seen Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) get increasingly popular in eLearning. This popularity has also been seen among corporate training trends. VR and AR technology offers a unique opportunity for trainees to simulate real-life situations in a safe environment and get some hands-on training experience. 

This technology is much needed in certain workplaces where implementing new solutions without sufficient training can be risky. For example, medical professionals and emergency medical services can train for real-life scenarios without putting themselves or others in danger. 

There is no greater way to engage trainees than to offer VR and AR training tools. While the technology is expensive, the initial investment is bound to pay off since the tools can be reused to train future employees.

Learning Experience Design

It is important to create learning experiences that are centered around the learners. Over the last few years, we have noticed Instructional Design in eLearning evolving and incorporating a more design-centered element. Approaching learning with a more creative aspect, Learning Experience Design (LXD), aims to create learner-centered and goal-oriented training. 

LXD’s popularity comes from the overall shift in eLearning that champions learner autonomy. Leveraging flexible and diverse content curated keeping the learners in mind and delivering a UX-friendly learning experience are key aspects of LXD. 

For the future of corporate training, this means that employees get structured, informed, and well-researched training, specially designed keeping them in mind. 

Content Curation

No matter what skill you might want to learn, there is an abundance of resources available online that can help you. But there is such a thing as too much choice. You may relate to the paralyzing feeling of indecision when confronted with too many options. 

As a way to navigate this sea of information, organizations are stepping away from content creation and instead curating training content. This is done by collecting and filtering relevant information already out there and presenting it in an organized fashion. 

Connecting learners to the right resources seems trivial, but the reality is far from it. Content curation helps direct employees to the right resources and allows them to create learning paths by taking advantage of the vast variety of content out there. 

Leadership and Wellness

Corporate training is no longer just about teaching technical skills that an employee might need for their day-to-day role. Emerging corporate training trends also emphasize soft skills, leadership training as well as employee well-being. 

Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution, are much needed in the modern workspace. It is also necessary to train employees for leadership roles, which goes a long way in instilling confidence in them. 

Organizations must also invest in the personal development of their employees. Having a healthy, mindful, and well-balanced workforce ultimately benefits the organization. Topics that emphasize work-life balance and financial well-being, for example, help employees feel valued. 

Stay Ahead of the Trends with Edly

Thoughtfully curated and meaningful learning opportunities are at the center of new corporate training trends. The best way to make your employees feel appreciated is by offering them opportunities for professional development. The results are overwhelmingly in the favor of the organization: greater retention, employee satisfaction, a more qualified workforce, and closure of skill gaps. 

All that remains, is keeping up with the ever-evolving trends. Edly can help you create online learning tools that are fit for today’s workplace. Get in touch with us today to get to know more about the workplace training solutions we offer, or try our platform for free!