The manufacturing industry is a strong candidate for using eLearning for employee development. In this article, we will explore the challenges of implementing eLearning in the manufacturing industry and how eLearning can transform the industry despite these challenges.
Are there possible ways in which eLearning can help the manufacturing industry?
La industria manuThe manufacturing industry heavily relies on technology and automation for its daily activities. However, what’s surprising is that most organizations that produce finished or unfinished goods have not automated their employee training. Yes, we’re talking about eLearning in the manufacturing industry. One would expect manufacturing to be among the first industries to adopt eLearning for employee training, but that’s not the case. This is likely because the manufacturing industry faces certain challenges when trying to integrate eLearning into their training programs—mainly the lack of computer knowledge or technological experience among manual workers. However, these problems are now a thing of the past, thanks to blended learning, a remarkable eLearning strategy that combines the benefits of traditional classroom training with eLearning. Once the initial challenges are addressed, eLearning can do a lot for the manufacturing industry, which is what we’ll discuss in this article.
Both plant and office workers in a manufacturing organization need to have a good understanding of how technology works, as most industry processes are automated. Even automated machines, however, require humans to operate and maintain them. The importance of human capital, even in a highly automated industry like manufacturing, cannot be underestimated. Operating these machines requires calculations with millimeter precision; otherwise, an entire batch could be ruined. Both groups of employees (plant and office workers) need to be trained to face challenges at any time in their daily work. Here’s how eLearning can help achieve this:
- eLearning can help focus on the specific skills employees need. There can be courses in their native language for manual workers on how to operate and maintain machines, and there can be courses for administrative staff related to material strength, solid mechanics, etc. (or any other in-depth topic relevant to the products being manufactured). If manual workers aren’t familiar with computers, they should first receive training on how to use computers and complete eLearning courses through traditional classroom training.
- Learning content can be easily updated when necessary and can be sent to employees’ smartphones, giving them the flexibility to complete eLearning courses whenever and wherever they like.
- eLearning will reduce training costs and increase revenue. Blended learning may be expensive initially, but once manual workers become familiar with operational eLearning courses to learn skills, the organization can fully transition to corporate eLearning. eLearning can even be used to train workers to minimize manufacturing waste and contribute something to the environment.
- Employees not adhering to compliance laws can be a significant concern for a manufacturing organization. eLearning works wonders for compliance training and can help address issues such as budget constraints and high employee turnover. Compliance laws, like anti-bribery and conflict of interest, privacy, confidentiality and information security, product safety, as well as health, safety, and environment, can easily be introduced through online learning courses.
- Furthermore, eLearning is an excellent tool for performance assessment. eLearning provides measurable data that can be used to track employee performance and identify which employee is lacking in which area. Manufacturing is a highly regulated and data-driven industry (or at least accustomed to data).
In conclusion, eLearning could be the revolution the manufacturing industry has been missing. eLearning can address several issues, bridge the skill gaps in employees, increase operational efficiency, and provide a high ROI. What’s not to like about all this?
The manufacturing industry faces a significant gap between the talent it needs and what’s actually available in the labor market. This talent gap is only expected to widen in the near future. eLearning is a necessity right now—a survival strategy, if you will. Start taking small steps in that direction. Transitioning might be challenging, but taking it one step at a time will ensure no mistakes are made and everything turns out well.
If you want to establish your eLearning implementation strategy in your company, contact us and we’ll help you set up the entire process from the start.
