As a new generation enters the workforce, organizations are finding it tougher to keep employees while reducing operational costs. Workers see their job as a risk due to lack of safety, or perhaps they find their work frustrating due to the antiquated equipment and content they use day-to-day.
There are many requirements and expectations for “modern learners” entering the workforce, and organizations must use digital transformation to meet these expectations head-on. The new generation of workers expect a smart and connected digital ecosystem that fits their needs as a worker and a continual learner.
Here are 3 things that organizations can provide to keep modern learners in their workforce while keeping costs low. All of this can be achieved using a digital knowledge management system (KMS) containing a Connected Worker Platform (CWP) and Learner Experience Platform (LXP)
Accessible, truly digital content
Truly digital content is not just a Microsoft Word or PDF document on a tablet. In a modern learner’s personal life, the way the find and use content is much different than what many organizations are used to. To fix a bicycle, a modern learner will use a web search using keywords and key phrases. All content on the web is connected, so finding concise information is easy. You can jump into an article which might lead you to a video, and then to an advertisement for a new bicycle. Everything is connected, and all information site-to-site is tracked.
Workers expect content and procedures in an operation to be as easy to use as Google or other technologies they use day-to-day. Content must integrate into the digital space in a way which is interactive, web-enabled, and future proof.
Content, procedures, and equipment must be related. A worker must be able to use a keyword to search for a piece of equipment, find all associated procedures, and then be able to find the manuals related to each procedure. This is possible when content is tagged with metadata, structured, and indexed within a knowledge management system.
The ability to learn anywhere, anytime.
In the life of a modern learner, learning something new is usually done on-the-fly using multimedia. If a modern learner is learning woodworking and wants to build their first table, they will likely pull out their phone and follow a video tutorial. Modern learners want to learn and gain new skills, with 96% of modern learners turning to their phones and search engine when they need information.
Modern learners working in high-reliability operations also seek this ability. Through the implementation of a Connected Worker Platform and Learner Experience Platform, workers can easily access training content in the flow of work. Training content can be curated based on role or experience and can be accessed on-demand in the form of eLearning modules or multimedia.
70% of employees access answer to on-the-job questions through other sources such as search engines
While learning in the flow of work, worker progress can be tracked, monitored, and assessed. This data can then be used in Business Intelligence (BI) or Business Analytics (BA) software for valuable data insights.
Organizations can see even more benefits by using tracking, monitoring, and assessment of training content to make onboarding faster. By enabling new workers to learn in the flow of work they can immediately start contributing to the bottom line while saving time spent by Subject Matter Experts. This capability alone can save organizations millions of dollars in training costs.
Employees report that they only have a ‘tiny sliver of time’ available for eLearning. Learning in the flow of work lets workers learn while contributing to the bottom line.
Collaboration with peers
Modern learners expect a workplace that is collaborative and working towards a common goal, with 90% of modern learners seeking collaboration and knowledge sharing. They are used to giving feedback and being able to speak their mind on issues. With a Connected Worker Platform (CWP) in place, workers old and new can take advantage of the ability to collaborate in the field.
80% of workforce learning happens via on-the-job interactions with peers, teammates, and managers
A CWP gives workers the ability to take part in an automated feedback cycle. When it comes to digital procedures, achieving conciseness and consistency is key to keeping workers safe and keeping operations efficient. Workers can simply leave a comment on a piece of comment or procedure, triggering the automated feedback cycle.
Once the comment is posted, the system lets content reviewers know that a piece of comment needs an update or correction. Considering your workers are the ones in the field using the content, they undoubtedly have valuable insight your organization can use to improve operations.
Workers will also be able to collaborate on operational tasks. Two workers can sign off on tasks, and workers can pass off an uncomplete task to whoever is on the next shift.
About AcceleratorKMS:
AcceleratorKMS is a purpose-built and industry-leading Knowledge Management System for critical operational content. The digital system includes “Procedure Life-cycle Management (PLCM),” a "Connected Worker Platform (CWP)," a "Learner Experience Platform (LXP)," a “Component Content Management System (CCMS),” and a “Quality Management System (QMS).”
The combined capability allows organizations to present workers with truly digital operational and training content on-demand, and the ability for workers to collaborate with their colleagues on operational tasks.
Want to see what truly digital content should look like for the modern learner? Sign up for a free digitized procedure demo by clicking below:
