Training Industry Magazine - July/August 2020 - 57

MICHELLE EGGLESTON SCHWARTZ

LEARNER
MINDSET

DOES IT TAKE A PANDEMIC
FOR EMPLOYEES TO MAKE
TIME FOR LEARNING?
Prior to the pandemic, research
suggested that employees do not have
time for learning and development (L&D)
- despite an overwhelming desire to
learn. In fact, I've written several articles
on the topic. However, that narrative has
shifted dramatically over the past few
months. The online learning industry
has skyrocketed during the COVID-19
pandemic, boasting record-breaking
growth in course enrollments.
At Training Industry, we've witnessed this
change firsthand. TrainingIndustry.com
has seen an increase in website traffic
and a significant change in the topics
and solutions our visitors are seeking.
From transitioning to a remote workforce
to boosting employee engagement to
addressing cybersecurity concerns,
training professionals are searching for
solutions to their current challenges.

LEARNING LEADERS
MUST PROVIDE
EMPLOYEES WITH THE
TIME AND RESOURCES
TO LEARN, EXPLORE
AND TAP INTO THEIR
CREATIVE TALENTS.
Learning platforms across the industry are
experiencing record-breaking engagement. LinkedIn Learning reported a
130% increase in learning by enterprise
learners in March and April - the largest
spike in the history of the platform.
Mark Onisk, the chief content officer at
Skillsoft, shared Skillsoft has seen a 317%
increase in learning content accessed

on its learning experience platform,
Percipio. Udemy reported a 425%
increase in course enrollments across
its entire platform. These are just a few
of the learning platforms that have seen
significant growth during the pandemic.
WHY THE SUDDEN INTEREST
IN LEARNING?
Learning has taken center stage during
the pandemic. Quarantined employees
have an increased appetite for
development, and the numbers prove
it. Employees have always had a desire
to learn, so why are we seeing such an
increase in consumption?
The pandemic has created a turbulent
job market, leaving employees uncertain
whether their company will survive or if
they will be let go. This uncertainty has
led many employees to improve their
skill set to make them a more valuable
member of their team.
Additionally, in times of uncertainty,
people often gravitate toward activities
that give them a sense of control. While
one person may choose to organize
and clean their home to bring structure
to their lives, another person may opt
to upskill or reskill to make them more
effective in their role.
Another factor influencing the significant
increase in learning is the vast amount
of time people have on their hands. With
stay-at-home orders in place all over the
country, people finally have the luxury of
time, and they're choosing to use that time
to invest in themselves through learning.

Every employee and industry isn't
experiencing the same level of free time,
but the metrics certainly support an
increase in learning. While it remains to
be seen whether employees will continue
to prioritize learning once life begins to
normalize, one thing is certain: People
genuinely want to learn.
HOW CAN L&D HARNESS THIS
LEARNING SPIRIT?
With the pandemic swiftly changing
the course of business, employees are
struggling to adapt to a new way of
working. Training professionals play a
pivotal role in helping their employees and
organizations navigate these changes.
Now more than ever, leaders must be
in-tune with the needs, challenges and
frustrations of their employees. This
focus on employee well-being will power
the organization to overcome business
challenges and move them forward.
Organizations must work to harness
the learning spirit we've seen over
the past few months. From managers
regularly checking in with employees
to conducting a formal needs analysis,
learning leaders must stay abreast of
the needs of their workforce. We must
provide employees with the time and
resources to learn, explore and tap into
their creative talents. If time has been
holding employees back from learning,
leaders must proactively protect their
employees' time moving forward.
Michelle Eggleston Schwartz is the
editorial director of Training Industry, Inc.
Email Michelle.

T R A I N I N G I N DUSTR Y MAGAZ INE -DATA FLUENCY IN LEARNI NG 2 02 0 I WWW. T RAI NINGINDU S T RY . C OM/ MAGAZ I NE

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https://learning.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/learning/en-us/pdfs/linkedin-learning-workplace-learning-report-2018.pdf https://research.udemy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Udemy_OnlineLearning_Report_4.30.pdf https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine/jan-feb-2020/its-time-to-prioritize-learning/ http://www.TrainingIndustry.com https://learning.linkedin.com/blog/learning-thought-leadership/leading-with-learning-report--insights-and-advice-on-the-state-o https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine

Training Industry Magazine - July/August 2020

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