On the contrary, virtual platforms such as e-learning allow users to explore the topic in their own time. No uncomfortable role-play sessions, just an opportunity to understand the theory. From there, participants can take their learnings and apply them in the real world when they have more confidence.
Learn When It’s Convenient
This is true for all types of virtual training for employees, not just soft skills courses. Using e-learning is a much more convenient way to learn because staff can complete courses when they have time. Of course, employers who manage training well tend to organise scheduled times for their people to complete e-learning. That’s so they can immerse themselves in the training without distractions.
Even without a strict schedule for training employees can determine the best time for themselves. The convenience also comes from the fact that e-learning courses are far shorter. As a result, staff members can concentrate fully on their training, and then get back to work quickly afterwards.
A More Cost-Effective Training Method
When you send staff to regular training for soft skills, it can be a whole-day event. Even a half-day training session comes with a significant cost to the business. Not only are there the costs of enlisting a training provider’s services, but there are the hidden costs.
Productivity is the biggest one because staff need to travel to and from a training venue. So, there’s extra time wasted with classroom training. If you choose soft skills training courses online, you get much better value. The initial cost to purchase the courses is less, and staff simply log on at their desk and complete the training.
You can even purchase virtual course catalogues so that you can book training courses for staff over and over again, giving you even more value.
Revisit Courses As Needed
This brings us to the next key reason to use virtual courses for soft skills. Because soft skills are less technical in nature, they’re perfect to revisit from time to time. If you notice as an employer that parts of your business are experiencing issues with communication, you can schedule them for a refresher course.
It’s just human nature that soft skills can fall by the wayside over time, so it’s great to keep people focussed on these through training. But rather than constantly send them off to classroom training, often all it takes is a quick e-learning session to brush up on some crucial workplace skills.
A More Organised Workforce
One of the key soft skills that people can learn is how to be more organised. This is why virtual courses for soft skills are becoming so popular. You can help your team members develop skills such as time management, prioritising tasks, problem solving and communication. All of these things help to build a more organised and productive workforce.
For businesses trying to get more done with fewer expenses, improving the capability of staff is a key place to start. By simply scheduling your teams to participate in a virtual classroom or e-learning session, they can learn new techniques for managing heavy workloads, dealing with stress and communicating more efficiently for better results.
Terrific For Remote Workers
The other great thing about virtual training is that it’s great for remote workers. We’ve seen a big shift in working conditions over the last couple of years, and many workplaces are sticking with work-from-home or remote working arrangements. Others are running hybrid workforces, but the main thing to note is that so many people are now working away from the office more regularly.
That creates some complexity when it comes to bringing everyone together for training courses. Using online platforms though, you can get teams together in a virtual classroom if you want to maintain a facilitated style of training. Alternatively, you can provide your people with self-paced e-learning courses to keep them trained, motivated and equipped to succeed.
More Immersive Training
Many people find online training platforms to be more immersive. While some people prefer classroom training, there are plenty of people who tend to lose focus in that situation. Unless the course content and facilitator are both extremely engaging, it’s hard to concentrate for half a day or even a couple of hours.
With virtual training courses for soft skills, participants can really take the time to immerse themself in training and understand the content. There’s no facilitator moving on to the next topic when you’re not completely ready. You control the pace of the training yourself, which means you get the maximum benefit.
It should also be noted that e-learning in the modern world is much more interactive and engaging than in early forms. With features such as video, audio, quizzes and other exercises, it’s much easier to keep people focused.
Opportunity To Develop Leaders
Leadership isn’t necessarily a soft skill, but rather a combination of soft skills. Many companies lack a solid succession plan, meaning when leaders leave, so does a lot of knowledge and often it feels like people are irreplaceable. By training your staff as future leaders, you can ensure there are always capable people able to step up and fill a role.
This not only helps the business from a recruitment point of view but also improves staff engagement. When people feel they are supported with training and opportunities to advance their careers, they’re more likely to remain loyal and continue producing great work.
Soft Skills Training Builds Better Teams
Ultimately, virtual courses for soft skills are all about creating a better workplace. People communicate better, manage their time more efficiently, show better flexibility and positivity, work better as teams and also have increased problem-solving abilities. Overall, this adds up to a workplace that has a culture of working together.
Teamwork is a huge part of a workplace’s productivity, so if you can foster this sort of team-first environment, you can achieve great things. An example of how managers are doing this, is booking virtual events for their teams with sites like escapely.com, utilizing their virtual escape rooms for soft skill building. Not only do escape rooms help with soft skills like problem-solving and verbal/non-verbal communication, they also help build team camaraderie and drive productivity.
There Are Virtual Options For All Learners
Finally, the last reason you should consider virtual platforms for soft skills training is that there’s something for all learners. Some people can’t stand facilitated training, preferring to learn by themselves. Others love facilitated training because they find themselves more easily engaged and like the group aspect of it.
Fortunately, there are virtual platforms that cater to both styles of learning. Virtual classrooms provide a facilitated training course that’s easy to access for everybody. E-learning is ideal for those who prefer self-paced learning. Everybody’s a winner with virtual training courses!
