Customized Online Courses for Career Development

• Posted on Jun 13, 2023

Today’s evolving work landscape has prioritized career development, particularly for hybrid and remote workers. Online courses offer a valuable opportunity for individuals to enhance their skills, acquire new knowledge, and propel their professional growth. 

Employees are eager to learn. Training and development improve job engagement, making employees more likely to stay with their current employers. During the pandemic, Sam’s Club witnessed the need for prioritizing career development. While many other companies were laying off employees, Sam’s Club employees were learning new skills for their current roles and upskilling to prepare for their career paths. 

Best of all, hybrid and remote workers can learn these skills online.

The Many Benefits of Online Learning

In particular, customized online career development courses offer unique benefits for offsite employees. By leveraging the flexibility, accessibility, and tailored content of online courses, individuals can unlock new career opportunities and stay competitive in a rapidly changing job market.

1. Flexibility and Convenience: Customized online courses offer unparalleled flexibility and convenience by catering to the needs of hybrid and remote workers. As these individuals juggle multiple responsibilities and face unique scheduling challenges, online courses allow them to learn at their own pace and adapt their learning to fit their busy lives. Whether it’s early morning, late at night, or during lunch breaks, participants can access course materials and engage in learning activities whenever and wherever it suits them. This flexibility empowers hybrid and remote workers to balance work commitments with career development, eliminating barriers such as commuting or fixed class schedules.
2. Targeted Learning and Relevant Skills: Customization allows hybrid and remote workers to focus on developing the skills and knowledge most relevant to their professional aspirations and the demands of their remote or hybrid roles. For instance, a hybrid worker seeking to enhance their remote communication skills can enroll in an online course designed to improve virtual collaboration, effective remote meetings, and digital communication etiquette. By honing skills directly applicable to their work context, hybrid and remote workers can demonstrate their adaptability and value to employers while boosting their confidence and job satisfaction.
3. Networking Opportunities and Global Connections: Online courses provide unique networking opportunities, enabling hybrid and remote workers to connect with professionals and peers worldwide. Virtual platforms offer forums, discussion boards, and collaborative projects that facilitate meaningful interactions and knowledge-sharing among participants from diverse backgrounds and geographical locations. This global connection broadens perspectives and opens doors to potential job opportunities, partnerships, and mentorship. Through online courses, hybrid and remote workers can expand their professional network beyond geographical constraints, tapping into a global community of professionals and thought leaders.
4. Continuous Learning and Future-Proofing: Continuous learning is crucial for career growth and staying relevant. Online courses offer a dynamic platform for continuous skill development, allowing hybrid and remote workers to keep pace with industry trends and emerging technologies. New tools, strategies, and work processes emerge as hybrid and remote work becomes more prevalent. Online courses provide the opportunity to learn about these advancements, helping individuals adapt and thrive in their remote or hybrid roles. 

Agencies and businesses also benefit from online learning

Dr. Brent Peterson identified three elements of effective learning: preparation, learning and follow-up.

Individual preparedness and follow-up activities make up 75% of learning. The actual learning event is a mere 25% of acquiring new knowledge and skills. Yet many organizations focus on the training event itself, spending only 10% of their training budgets on preparation and 5% on follow-up activities. 

Customized online training classes emphasize the preparation and follow-up vital to employee success, creating more value for organizations.

With flexibility, targeted learning, networking opportunities, and continuous skill development, online courses empower individuals to take control of their professional growth, seize new opportunities, and navigate the evolving world of hybrid and remote work with confidence.