The Future of Training

- By Jeanne Doheny (about the author)

Technology and a global economy are changing everything in business, and employee training is no exception. What will your company's training program be like in the next few years? What tools are available, which should you use, and how can you best use them to save your company time and money?

Distance learning, using Computer-Based Interactive Training, is an economical and efficient approach to most training needs. Russell Associates' clients have experienced up to 81% time savings using Computer-Based Interactive Training (CBIT) compared to traditional, instructor-led training. Time savings of 50% to 60% are the norm.

Note: Computer-Based Interactive Training (CBIT) and web-based training are used interchangeably in this article.

		It used to take 58 hours of one-on-one training before agents were proficient at system operations. The study conducted by the association shows that it now takes only 11 hours for agents to reach the same or higher level of proficiency. For a major U.S. construction supply company, 16 hours of centralized instructor-led training was reduced to 7 hours using CBIT. That's a time savings of 56%. They also realized

a savings of approximately $1,500 for travel, hotel, meals, and salaries for each of approximately 300 students... and that was before $4 per gallon gas prices and sky-rocketing airfares!

Instructor-led training will, and should, continue to be used, but it will be used less often, differently, and more efficiently. It is still preferred by many and is ideal for group interaction and role-playing situations.

Computer-Based Interactive Training is a big, big part of the way companies train today and will continue to train in the future. A study conducted by 3M and the Wharton School shows that students retain only about 10% of what they hear; they retain about 30% of what they hear and see in text; about 60% of what they hear and see in text and graphics. Using Computer-Based Interactive Training, retention is 80%, or more - more than double that of instructor-led or text-based training.

CBIT uses modern strategies of education engineering and audio, video, graphics, animation, interaction, testing and feedback. The use of these features is very practical through the internet, and they greatly enhance learning and retention.

CBIT can train people faster, more consistently, and at multiple locations without the need for travel or an instructor. Remember the $4 per gallon gas prices!

Computer-based training can also be used in conjunction with instructor-led training, performance demonstration, and manuals for a blended learning approach. Employers can use computer-based training to bring all students to the same level of understanding prior to their attending a class, so subsequent classroom training is more effective and progresses further and in less time.

With changing technology, and increased worker mobility, employers are having to do more training now than ever before. The idea of training in the future is to make it efficient and effective and still be economical. Computer-Based Interactive Training is often the best way to do that.

Learning management systems (such as Russell Associates' intRAtrain) can be used to host the training, schedule students, monitor training progress and completion, and evaluate learning. Check out intRAtrain Learning Management System (LMS) under Products on our website.



The need for training has never been greater, especially with demand for specialized skills, state and federal regulations, and the global marketplace. In today's economy, Computer-Based Interactive Training is the logical solution.