The Benefits of Training Employees in New Technologies

Technology is changing the way we work at an unprecedented pace. Automation, artificial intelligence, and digital tools are concepts that many people find hard to imagine their working day without. According to statistics, 92% of jobs today require digital skills, yet a significant portion of the workforce still struggles with low or no digital skills. This gap results from underinvestment and structural inequalities that leave many workers unprepared for the demands of the modern workplace. 

In today's world, where technologies change and evolve at the blink of an eye, companies must ensure that their employees are keeping pace and adapting. Otherwise, they would risk falling behind competitors, losing relevance, or missing opportunities.  Training employees so they can adapt to new tools, systems, and industry trends is not just an investment but a strategic necessity ensuring efficiency, productivity, and long-term success.

In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of employee training, the benefits of training for businesses, and how it empowers the workforce and fosters a culture of continuous learning. 

Benefits of employee training

Companies that prioritize the training and development of their employees gain a competitive advantage in the labor market, increase employee loyalty, and create a better product. Below are the key benefits of structured and consistent training programs: 

1. Increased productivity and efficiency 

Employees who receive regular training improve their skills, gain confidence, and become more proficient in their roles. This leads to greater efficiency, better decision-making, and overall productivity. Well-trained employees can adapt to change quickly and contribute more effectively to the company's goals. 

For example, a few years ago, the Internet giant Amazon set a goal to equip 300,000 employees  with in-demand skill sets for higher-paying technical and non-technical roles. The company spent over $1.2 billion on this initiative to increase the tech-savvy of Amazon's workforce and thereby demonstrated the company's commitment to employees’ development and technological progress.

2. Less need for supervision 

While supervision is still necessary, well-trained employees require less micromanagement. At this stage, it should be explained that training is not just a way of self-development and a free choice for everyone, but an important step to improve the business and increase efficiency. Learning gives people more flexibility, focus, and the potential to achieve more. Thus, employees can work independently, make informed decisions, and be responsible for tasks, freeing managers to focus on higher-level strategic goals. 

3. Internal talent development and promotion 

Instead of hiring employees from the outside, companies can train and promote them from within, providing employees with opportunities for career development. With a learning strategy, an employer can avoid hiring from the outside for every position and nurture new talent that can cover different functional responsibilities within the same company. This contributes to retention, loyalty, and long-term stability as employees feel valued and motivated to stay with the company. 

4. Increased employee morale and engagement

A company with a well-defined training system fosters a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and adaptability.  A motivated workforce is more committed to the success of the organization. A prime example of intrinsic employee motivation is Spotify, which maintains a culture of continuous learning, linking the retention and growth of its talent to a “growth is not linear” philosophy. The company, which is valued at $73.65 billion, supports internal mobility through special programs such as Gigs, Job Swaps, and Permanent Moves, prioritizing skill development over positions. Career mapping, coaching, and mentoring in development plans help employees develop transferable skills, and data-driven learning identifies skill gaps for targeted growth. 

5. Deeper understanding of the company's vision and policies 

Training programs familiarize employees with the company's values and long-term goals, ensuring alignment between individual and corporate objectives. 

It's important to explain to employees why the technology is being used and how it will be better than the previous one. The goal is to simplify the work, not complicate it; for example, if a task that once took 30 minutes can now be completed with one click, both the company and employees will be naturally motivated to adopt and optimize the new system. When employees understand the big picture, they make a more meaningful contribution to the organization. 

6. Improved customer experience

Well-trained employees provide better service, communicate effectively, and solve customer problems in a professional manner, which leads to increased customer satisfaction.  Increased customer satisfaction leads to more substantial brand reputation and this, in its turn results in increased  customer retention brining better profit. Win-win for the client, the company, and the specialist. 

7. Increased competitiveness 

Digital skills are no longer optional but necessary for innovation and efficiency. As technology evolves rapidly, companies need to ensure that their employees are up to date with the latest tools, software, and industry trends. Companies that effectively train their employees in new technologies can gain a competitive advantage by using these technologies more successfully than their competitors.

Best employee training practices

Introducing employees to new technologies requires effective and engaging training methods tailored to their needs. Below are some effective training methods, each accompanied by real-world apps and platforms that can facilitate these approaches:

1. Hands-on training

The basis and foundation for learning new skills is direct interaction with new technologies, allowing employees to gain hands-on experience under the supervision of more experienced employees. This approach helps effectively develop the employee's competence with the tool, especially for complex tools where it is important to spend sufficient time practicing with them. 

For example, the Upskill platform is designed for technical training, allowing users to learn fundamental and advanced programming skills using modern technologies. Interactive, non-boring lectures, conversational style, where users can practice new skills, apply them in real-world scenarios and even format into a portfolio to demonstrate their achievements for future projects.

2. Step-by-step demonstrations

In this training method a trainer shows how to use the equipment, explaining each action as it is performed. Specialized apps and platforms can be used to demonstrate videos and tutorials so employees visualize the process before they try to do it themselves. 

EduMe is a learning platform designed to provide on-the-go, microlearning content for employees. It helps organizations create step-by-step training materials for onboarding, product training, and compliance training. The platform offers tools for creating custom training programs, scaling content across a team, tracking progress, and gathering feedback to optimize the learning experience.

3. Interactive e-learning modules

These online learning platforms with videos, quizzes, and simulations allow employees to learn at their own pace and revise the material as needed. This method is excellent for scalability and consistency, ensuring that all employees receive the same content that is easy to update for evolving equipment. 

Platforms such as Articulate 360 allow organizations to create interactive online training content, while Coursera or Udemy offer broader eLearning options that are ideal for larger organizations.

4. Manuals and reference materials

Providing checklists, quick reference guides, or manuals reinforces learning by offering resources that employees can refer to on the job. However, sometimes, there is so much information that a professional can't learn a particular topic or skill in a structured and contextualized way from open sources. That's where the GetGuru platform comes in. It combines your company's disparate information into an intelligent knowledge network and uses artificial intelligence to provide personalized, actionable, proven, and reliable answers in the context of your specifics.

5. Mentoring and peer-to-peer learning

Pairing less experienced employees with experienced mentors facilitates the transfer of knowledge and practical skills, especially when it comes to topics that are too technical to master without the help and support of a mentor. It is common practice for technology companies to implement mentoring programs when introducing new software development tools, facilitating collaborative learning.

Together Platform supports structured mentoring programs by matching mentors and mentees and tracking progress throughout the training, keeping the atmosphere relaxed and making learning easier.

6. Simulations and virtual training

The use of simulations allows employees to practice using technology or equipment in a safe environment, which is especially useful for complex or dangerous operations. This method provides a safe space for mistakes, and platforms like STRIVR help organizations create custom simulations for different industries, focusing on realistic scenarios with feedback to improve skills.

7. Training in small groups or teams

Small group training promotes a collaborative learning environment where employees can share experiences and ideas. Brainstorming sessions for introducing new systems, workshops, or master classes - anything that will ensure a smooth implementation of technology into the workflow.

The ideal option for such meetings may be the well-known Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet, which facilitate virtual learning in small groups with features such as conference rooms, collaboration tools, file storage, and unlimited calls to any audience. 

8. Continuous feedback and further training

Ongoing feedback ensures that employees continue to follow the curriculum, apply the technology, or master the tool correctly and safely, and follow-up training helps resolve issues that arise.

This method refines training based on real-world feedback, using survey tools like Qualtrics to collect information and e-learning platforms to provide follow-up content and schedule check-ins quarterly or bi-annually to keep skills high.

Implementing these methods with the support of the right platforms can significantly improve the effectiveness of training programs, leading to a more competent and confident team of professionals.

Bottom line

Training employees to use new tech, tools and equipment is an essential investment in an organization's future. By combining hands-on training, interactive e-learning, peer mentoring, and virtual simulations, companies are creating a supportive learning environment for their employees. The right tools enhance these approaches by aligning learning with business goals and engaging employees through interactive elements. This integrated strategy smooths the transition to new technology solutions by accommodating each individual's learning pace, maximizing the return on software investment while building a confident, capable team ready to move the organization forward.