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Online occupational training involves the education or re-skilling of employees to learn skills necessary for their profession, which is taught online. Online training generally follows the same format as E-Learning. Online education can take on several different forms. One type of online training includes real time classes, led by an instructor via webcast. This form of training is the most similar to the traditional classroom setting with two way communication occurring in a highly interactive environment due to the many technologies available. The majority of online training however is pre-packaged and posted on corporate intranets allowing students to complete their course in their own pace and their own time.
In today’s workforce there is a need to constantly retrain and upgrade skills. Some work based training is free, particularly for basic skills such as providing better reading and writing skills. Online instruction can provide anything from basic instruction to highly specialised training. Finding time to get employees away from their desks to do effective training can take a long time. Companies are making sure that they can effectively train people in a way that doesn’t take them away from their day to day responsibilities.
Online training provides a cheaper method of training then a traditional classroom setting so it is no longer just the top employees who get training. Therefore online instruction allows an equal opportunity for all employees to further their skills.
Occupational learning in an online environment allows flexibility for companies and their employees as well as providing a cost effective way to provide training to staff. Some argue that online training is more consistent than instructor led training as it provides everyone with the same instructions and assistance.
Companies find online training cuts costs and is more convenient. Employees can fit training in to their own schedule there is no need to get large numbers of employees into the one room. It is highly interactive with pictures, audio and video. This method saves on manuals, onsite instructors and travel. This method also frees instructor time, scheduling time, administrative time, and the cost of materials. Programs are customised for each company and the particular training needed.
An issue that has arisen with online training is conflicting views between employers and employees. Many employees view that they should take on work related training in their work time and not in their own time, whereas management may disagree. The up to date technology necessary for these courses are not always compatible with the less frequently updated computers in employees homes. To overcome these problems more and more companies are offering e-learning courses in labs or learning centres with technical support on hand for assistance. While these labs and training facilities still offer the flexibility of working at your own pace they offer instructors to answer questions.
Another issue suggested with occupational online education is the lack of interaction provided in a traditional student- teacher environment. The impact of effective education is said to be lost as students fail to retain as much information on an online environment, and that they lack the motivation that traditional training requires. Another issue that has arisen is that people seem to be getting bored with the online courses and fail to complete them. Training companies who provide e-learning programs are trying to create programs to keep students involved; they aim to do this through highly interactive and collaborative learning environments.
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Jessica Strudwick 16:10, 27 Oct 2005 (EST)
