Workplace training is a vital part of building and strengthening a company and its employees. However, training can be challenging, and many employees get little to no training. In fact, nearly 60% of employees receive no workplace training and are entirely self taught. Even when training is offered, there are often barriers to joining that make it nearly impossible for effective learning at work.

Studies have shown that traditional training models are ineffective, and the current tools create a poor experience for learners. In addition, most organizations waste resources creating ineffective training courses. A small, one-time, in-person training event can cost up to $40,000, and that’s not all. To create a single one hour course it takes 87 minutes for a basic lesson, 197 minutes for an interactive lesson, and nearly 500 minutes for an advanced lesson. Experts say that standalone training events don’t create lasting learning, and employees forget between 50% to 80% of what they learn without reinforcement. 

It is for these reasons that microlearning has become so important. Through a series of small videos, questions, and activities administered throughout the day, employees are learning and retaining more than ever. Microlearning techniques are easy to fit into a busy workday, are efficient, targeted, and easily personalizable to any employee or position. The results are astonishing, as both behavior and knowledge of the learners are changed for the better. Employers are able to track progress and learning of their employees easily, and then can use those results to better the company.

The majority of Generation Z reports wanting to work for companies that will support ongoing learning and help them build skills needed to advance their career. The future lies in the hands of those who buy into and employ microlearning techniques, as it has been found to be 17% more effective than traditional training. The bite sized content is easily and readily available to learners. Also, learners don’t have to deal with irrelevant information. Finally, each interaction addresses only one objective at a time, making it easy to manage and easy to digest. People in today’s society are so used to responding to push notifications and alerts on a mobile device or any other type of technology. 

It is for this reason that microlearning is so effective, as it meets learners where they are, and capitalizes on the motives and habits of its target audience, the employees. So many companies have already found success using these techniques, and it is about time that the rest of the nation and the world hop on this latest training trend.