Open & Distance Learning

HE eLearning training platform is fast becoming the most beneficial business tool to date, according to Anton Cabral, Managing Executive at LRMG Performance Agency.

He reveals that the eLearning industry is currently worth nearly $6-billion in the US and an estimated 77 percent of American companies are using online learning to develop and retain staff.

When employees are engaged and actively growing, they are committed.

“In South Africa where an estimated 50 percent of top performers within a company are continually on the look-out for new jobs, and highly-skilled applicants are sometimes few and far between, retaining valuable

Tstaff and upskilling those with potential is a wise move,” he says.

Current statistics show that there are 4.6 million unemployed people in South Africa. Compounding this is an economy where most school leavers/graduates are not ready for the job market.

eLearning comprises all forms of electronically-supported training and should offer a vibrant and interactive learning platform that seeks to keep learners engaged throughout the intervention Cabral advises.

He encourages businesses to get on board so that they don’t get left behind. “Africa has the highest growth rates in the world for self-paced eLearning products and services. Supply and demand for eLearning in South Africa is evolving so quickly that defining the size of the industry is no easy task.

“Quality eLearning, however, is simple to describe. The dynamic nature of quality eLearning gives end-users access to knowledge when they need it, as they need it.

“If your staff has a need in their real work environment, they should be empowered by specific, customised solutions to satisfy that need and ultimately increase their performance.”

“The knock-on effect of having employees actively engaged in their self-improvement is clear,” he says.

Blending various methods is important. This creates benchmark experiences. He adds that the use of visuals, infographics, video, gamification, and scenariotraining makes the experience memorable and appealing.

“Each solution should include a wow factor to ensure the interaction is desirable. This will inspire learners to persevere which will lead to them achieving their potential,” says Cabral.

“It is also important to incorporate conventional face-to-face strategies in order to ensure that learning is applied and practised.”