Nowadays, everything can be accessed on demand.
Your favorite songs, the latest blockbuster films, the newest episode of a television show, even mobile and video games are available to you whenever and wherever you need them. The internet has made all types of products and services accessible to the public at all times almost instantaneously. In a fast-paced world, in between work and social life, not everyone has the luxury of the time to pause, albeit briefly, for anything else.
That is why on-demand learning is ideal for most people.
Also called just-in-time learning, the program allows individuals to access it right away when they need it or when they have time to dedicate to it.
The Importance of Lifelong Learning for Adults
Adults should strive to continue building their knowledge and skill set throughout their lives. Learning should not stop once a person leaves school and enters the workforce. It should be a life-long process.
For employees, learning as an adult can help them move up the corporate ladder faster and earn more than their colleagues. It also ensures that every employee, no matter their age, can remain globally competitive in the modern world. They can perform their roles adequately because their knowledge and skill set are up-to-date and relevant.
Singapore has been a front runner when it comes to encouraging citizens to continue learning throughout their adult life. The ITE Traineeship Programme provides young people opportunities to learn through practice by immersing them in the real work environment. They will be trained by professionals in the field, instilling in them not just mastery but strong work ethics and passion for the job.
The program is designed to be flexible. It allows learners to work full-time, earn a salary, enjoy state-mandated employee benefits, and still go to school a few times a week.
But, enough about what lifelong learning can do to professionals. Most organizations will benefit from offering their employees to learn on-demand. Here’s how.
You Can Maintain a Highly-Skilled Workforce
The global job market is constantly changing. The same skill set that might have propelled Baby Boomers or members of Generation X to success may no longer be as in demand right now.
Advancements in technology and breakthroughs happen across industries every single day. Workers need to be nimble and immediately be able to adapt to the demands of the market to remain competitive.
Globalization is, in many ways, a good thing, but it does make the market more cut-throat. When a person applies for a job, even if the office is local, there is more competition nowadays. People from other parts of the world can send their applications as well. Whoever has more to contribute to the company will be chosen, whether they live in Singapore, Hong Kong, or the United Kingdom.
You Keep Your Team Motivated
Additional training can help management send a message to employees that they care.
Employees are not easily disposable as many employers think. The company spends time and resources on hiring, training, and then integrating a new worker into the team. If they are not the right fit, the company will go through the process all over again.
However, if on-demand learning is made available to employees, it will increase motivation. It communicates the employer’s desire to keep an employee on board and help them improve, so they can take on new, more complicated, and higher-paying roles. It makes employees feel that they are not just a cog in the wheel. The employee will understand their roles better and see how their hard work contributes to the organization’s growth.
As a result, employees become motivated to do their best.
Convenience Increases Engagement
Netflix’s arrival in the scene disrupted the television industry. Years since the streaming service was launched, network ratings continue to decline. Many households have even decided to cut the cord (or unsubscribe to their cable provider) and access content via Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Go, or Apple TV+.
Streaming is the preferred way to consume content despite the limited content because of ease of access. Films can now be watched through a smartphone or tablet app. Music can be played through smart speakers. And, consumers can access all these types of content at any time.
The same reason people can no longer sit in front of the television to wait for the next episode of the show might stop adults from pursuing continuous learning. In between eight hours of work, long commutes, household chores, and child care, there is not enough time during the week to go to class at a specific time and place.
With on-demand learning, however, they have the freedom to access resources whenever they have the time. They can learn while sitting in a bus on their way home, for example, or after the kids have gone to sleep at night. People are much more likely to participate and take advantage of the opportunity to improve their skills and add to their credentials if it is convenient to them.
Learning can lead to numerous benefits for the employee and the employer. By rolling out on-demand learning, the organization can reap the rewards of having a motivated and highly skilled workforce.
