Online Training for Older Employees

Online training is here to stay. With every new advancement in technology, more and more companies are making the switch from a predominantly in-house training format to a more modern and convenient online approach. While this transition appeals to younger employees who grew up with multiple devices and have relied on the internet for information for years, some older employees may find it more difficult to adapt to non-traditional out-of-the-classroom training.

This won’t be the case for all your veteran employees, of course, but if it’s true of even one employee, you need to step in and help them acclimate to the change. The simplest way to do this is to create an online training program that’s easy to use – for all your employees.

Here are a few ways you can introduce online training to your employees and get even the most reluctant employees accustomed to a new way of learning.

1. #1 Focus on Ease of Access

   Your training program needs to be easily accessible. Some older employees may struggle with even the most basic components of an online-based training program, and it’s critical not to make the process even more confusing for them. Instead, keep your program simple, with a focus on teaching the fundamentals without overwhelming employees with complicated instructions or unnecessary technical jargon.

   #2 Work Together

   Another way to ease the transition is to encourage struggling employees to team up with younger employees who are well versed in technology. This pairing of co-workers can make the training process easier and provide a valuable resource for any employee that struggle to grasp the nuances of newer technology. As an added bonus, new friendships and a better overall work environment may be unintentional results of these partnerships.

   #3 Access to the Latest Technology

   Technology is ever-changing so it’s not always possible to stay 100% up to date, but when you can implement the latest and greatest, you should. Instead of using outdated technology, when you can introduce your employees to cutting-edge technology, they will always be able to maneuver the latest trends – keeping your company a step ahead of the competition at all times. The added benefit to this approach is that your employees will be motivated and excited to learn how to use state-of-the-art technology – and we all know that motivated employees are productive employees.

   Older employees are essential to your company – they have deep-rooted knowledge and years of experience. And if they’ve been with you a long time, they’re loyal and can serve as mentors for new hires. Helping these older workers acclimate to online training is critical, as it will ease the entire training process, make them feel more confident, and boost morale and productivity.