Many will agree that the work-based training industry is set to dramatically change over the coming years. We are already seeing consolidation and cuts in funding streams as well as more challenging criteria for signing off learners.
Funded training providers will need to consider selling full-cost recovery training and training providers already doing so will see more competition in their sectors. Exactly how government policy will shape the marketplace is yet to be seen, however the signs are clear and the message is you need to “do more for less”.
For some the transition to new products and services will be a natural progression, for others it will be mean complete transformation and re-tooling.
The good news is that the tools and technology to enable this transformation are well established and widely available.
Here are the four areas we suggest work-based training companies should start to explore:
- e-Learning
- Web Presence
- Cost Savings
- Employee and Partner Collaboration
e-Learning for Work Based Training Providers
Many work-based training providers are starting to look towards e-learning to adapt to the ever changing economic climate and learner demographics.
If the training you provide requires regular assessor visits to the workplace, moving to a blended learning approach can offer huge cost savings. Using a virtual learning environment, training and learner resources can be offered online, anywhere in the world. Moodle is a popular choice with both colleges and training companies, largely because it is both free (open source software) and has a massive support network and community in place already.
Click here to calculate potential return on investment using a system such as Moodle.
Click here for a free e-learning strategy template.
Websites for Work Based Training Providers
It is important for training companies to have the ability to work across long distances (sometimes time-zones as well) with colleagues and partners. An example might be how a company shares emails, documents and resources with self-employed or peripatetic assessors. All too often, things like email accounts, VPN access and inefficient communication methods get in the way. One solution could be Google Apps:
Google Apps is a low cost (free for 11 users or less) collaboration solution offering company email accounts, document sharing, chat and video conference facilities to companies of all sizes.
Cost Savings for Work Based Training Providers
“Doing more for less” seems to be the tagline in many industries at the moment and training is no exception. A company can reduce costs not just through e-learning but also by careful consideration of where money is being spent. Some examples include:
Email provision and file sharing - could moving to a lower cost solution such as Google Documents save you time and money? Remember, low cost does not mean low value!
Advertising - are those newspaper adverts really delivering value for money? What about a more targeted approach with Google or Facebook advertising? This is especially powerful if your target learners are aged between 16 and 40.
Employee and Partner Collaboration for Work Based Training Providers
It is important for training companies to have the ability to work across long distances (sometimes time-zones as well) with colleagues and partners. An example might be how a company shares emails, documents and resources with self-employed or peripatetic assessors. All too often, things like email accounts, VPN access and inefficient communication methods get in the way. One solution could be Google Apps:
Google Apps is a low cost (free for 11 users or less) collaboration solution offering company email accounts, document sharing, chat and video conference facilities to companies of all sizes.
