LISTEN TO YOUR TRAINEES

February 24, 2016

As an introduction today, I’d like to share some survey information that has recently come out of London and relates to younger professional workers:  39% have spent time developing skills online and 50% of respondents would prefer taking their training online.  I have little doubt we’d find similar results were we to poll our American workforce — particularly our millennials.

Relating to those findings is a most interesting article by Max Nisen, “The Growing Skills Gap, Explained In Three Charts,” published in BUSINESS INSIDER:

 There’s high youth unemployment around the world, despite a multitude of job vacancies.

 Blame the skills shortage, which 39 percent of employers say is preventing them from filling entry level jobs, according to a McKinsey report. Meanwhile in most of the world, less than half of students think their educations prepare them for employment.

 Employers know what we’re doing isn’t working. Students know it as well.

 Students list their preferences as follows:62% prefer on-the-job training.

58% prefer hands-on learning.

54% prefer multimedia instruction.

46% prefer attending seminars.

30% prefer traditional lectures.

Says it all, doesn’t it!?!

In America, estimates range that up to 70 million adults cannot even read at a level that would allow them to function fully in the workplace!

And, reading is not the only basic skill workers are lacking.  Millions cannot perform the simple mathematical problems now required in their jobs.

How did we reach this crisis?  The reasons are many and varied:  a high school dropout rate of almost 35%;  an education system that fails to recognize the shift in our nation’s learning culture;  and, a large influx of immigrants who have not learned sufficient English to fully function — to name but a few.

While there are a plethora of ways to address this problem, a major player (behind only “On the Job” and “Hands On” is multiple-media instruction.

You’ve seen me emphasize again and again:  “Most people are visual learners when it comes to skills acquisition.  ‘Seeing’, ‘hearing’, and ‘doing’ – in combination – is still the best way.”

From a cost effective point of view, you’re going to find it hard to beat multiple-media instruction as the better answer today.

More on Monday –  –  –

              — Bill Walton, co-Founder, ITC Learning

                  www.itclearning.com/blog/  (Mondays & Wednesdays)

  “THE WORLD RELIES ON THE HANDS OF ITS MEN AND WOMEN”
 (This is a personal blog.  Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog owner, jhbillwalton@gmail.com, an independent consultant.  They do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in a professional or personal capacity.)