TIME TO GET A JOB ENERGY SURGE

CREATING fun and unique approaches to learning can yield far greater results than traditional methods.

Russell Francis, chief executive of eLearning platform Velpic, says making training more enjoyable - and even competitive - can have a dramatic effect on learning outcomes.

“By making learning fun and engaging, it’s like a parent hiding vegetables in their children’s favourite junk food - the training gets completed without the pain and formerly hesitant trainees become willing and engaged participants,’’ Francis says.

Francis says introducing simple leaderboards, detailing which trainees have got the highest marks or completed the most study, can “exploit the basic human nature of competition’’ to a trainer’s advantage.

The way course material is presented can also have an effect, with video-based lessons increasing subject retention by up to 60 per cent compared with reading documented lessons, he says.

Training offered through virtual reality (VR) experiences increases subject retention by up to 80 per cent, he says.

“Compliance training has a real dread among employees as they feel it’s just ticking the boxes,’’ Francis says.

“(But) I’ve even seen staff ask to do compliance training in a VR environment again because they enjoyed it so much.’’

Kain Lawyers founder John Kain says an initiative to encourage his staff to get out of their comfort zones has paid massive dividends in their professional development.

Activities completed through the KainX program, which provides funding and time off work so employees can train for their goals, including shark cage diving, skydiving and becoming a pennant golf player.

“Having a team that is prepared to push themselves beyond their comfort zone … (has) a number of benefits that flow back to the business,’’ Kain says.

Mark Henderson, 37, admits he struggled to swim 50m when he put in a successful KainX proposal to complete an Australia Day swim earlier this year.

The law firm engaged a swim coach to instruct Henderson ( pictured) once a week for a two month period leading up to the 2km event and also provided extra time off work for further training sessions.

Henderson says the sense of achievement has boosted his confidence which helps with clients.