The concept of remote work is not new. Neither is online training. But, the hybrid work model is here to stay. The new working model involves best practices for employee development. However, if the hybrid work model is here for the foreseeable future, corporate training programs need to be adapted to match. 

Building a steady, high-quality training experience for your employees no matter where they work can be difficult to achieve. In this blog, we will discuss why it is essential to upgrade your training strategies and develop a detailed guide for a successful hybrid training program. 

Why Does Hybrid Workplace Need Flexible Training Programs?

Corporate training courses for the hybrid workplace need to be updated by incorporating changes in existing training strategies and methods. Hybrid work is different from a traditional office work environment. Therefore, how people learn, what they learn, and when they learn are different too. The following are the reasons why you should update your corporate training programs to adjust to the hybrid work model: 
 

• Equal Access To Quality Training: The teams may be split into two groups. Some may work from home and others may work from the office. It may be a difficult task to provide both these groups with steady and meaningful training. But in reality, you need to train all employees equally- no matter where they are working from. 
• Time To Upgrade With New Tools: New technologies have made remote work possible. You need emails, messaging, task management, and a learning management system to ensure every employee is productive and contributing their best. 
• Changes In Core Competencies: The advent of new working models has emphasized the different soft skills such as communication, social and emotional skills. Corporate training courses need to include these core competencies to stay up to date. 
• Flexible Work Culture Needs Training: Employees are now attracted to the hybrid work culture. This means the organization has a flexible mindset to support this culture. Corporate training should follow this concept too. 

Hybrid work culture looks after the well-being of employees and increases revenue and productivity. However, moving to a flexible work culture requires upgrading your learning and development strategies. Get started today! 

6 Steps To Build Corporate Training Programs For The Hybrid Workplace

Restructuring your training methods may seem overwhelming. But, with the right focus, you can get easily started. Below are 6 steps to guide you while revamping your training program for adjusting to a hybrid workforce: 
 

• Evaluate Your Training Needs: You can start with a knowledge gap analysis to understand your present and future training needs. Survey to understand what skills are necessary for your industry and what skills the employees want to learn for their job. Use a feedback system to design the training content to fill the information gap effectively. Revisit the training modules regularly to find out if your corporate training courses are still relevant to your business goals. 
• Focus On Soft Skills: Remote work can act as an obstacle to collaboration and teamwork. Incorporating soft skills such as communication, time management, problem-solving, decision-making, and so on are essential to overcome this hurdle. Therefore, focus on including soft skills in your training program to let your employees know they are valued. 
• Update Leadership Training: Leading a hybrid workforce is different. You need to equip your team managers with specific leadership training that helps them reach their employees and connect remotely. For instance, in a traditional office environment, the manager walks around the floor offering solutions and guidance to the employees. But, in remote work, employees often feel isolated due to a lack of feedback. Corporate training programs should teach leaders how to create an equal chance for employees to voice their concerns. 
• Include Blended Learning For Team Building: This involves including a mix of in-person and online training. Your workforce is already working remotely, so it is best to combine online live sessions with some collaborative workshops to make learning fun and interactive. You can also hold discussion forums to collect feedback from the participants. This approach is great for encouraging collaboration and creating a sense of teamwork. 
• Providing Training That Fits Into The New Workflow: In a remote environment, the employees are spread across different locations so the workflow is changed. Corporate training programs should be built according to the new pace and working hours. You should also promote microlearning that breaks a training module into smaller chunks for ease of retention. Helping people focus on a single concept at a time is great for boosting engagement. 
• Invest In Appropriate Delivery Methods: You need to integrate an LMS system that is robust for supporting virtual blended learning mechanisms. Choosing software that is easy to use and offers a seamless training experience is a key to making training more engaging and memorable. 

Conclusion

Upskilling and reskilling are constant activities you need to conduct to upgrade your workforce and keep pace with the changing work landscape. Training is not a one-time event. You need to update the content of corporate training courses regularly for Agile employee development. Start today with our corporate training programs and prepare your teams to adapt and thrive in a hybrid workplace.