7 Cost-Effective Ways To Develop A Workforce Development Program From The Ground Up

7 Cost-Effective Ways To Develop A Workforce Development Program From The Ground Up
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Summary: Do you need to train your staff without spending a tidy sum so they can stay satisfied on-the-job and improve performance behaviors? In this article, I share cost-effective tips to implement a workforce development program from the ground up.

Developing A Workforce Development Program On A Budget

One of the perks of joining your organization was gaining valuable experience and honing professional skills. Aside from working their shifts, meeting with clients, or tending to other job duties, employees expect other skill-broadening opportunities. But how do you give them the support tools they need to succeed without going over budget? Especially if you want to customize every aspect of your online training course and take the DIY approach. Here are some frugal but effective ways to develop a workforce development program from scratch.

eBook Release: Going Global Without Going Over Budget
eBook Release
Going Global Without Going Over Budget
Discover how to implement a remote workforce development program with the right LMS.

1. Repurpose Assets You Already Have On-hand

You probably have assets tucked away in your servers that didn’t make it past the final revision phase. Or those that were removed from your existing online training course because they became outdated or irrelevant. However, these online training resources still hold value. Even if you cannot use them in their current form. The text-based content, graphics, or other pieces of the puzzle can be repurposed. For example, that task demo starring actors sporting 80s attire—and big hair to match—is broken down into its basic components. It’s transformed into a series of bite-sized podcasts that highlight task performance tips. Voila… you’ve just cut workforce development program costs and breathed new life into a shelved online training tool.

2. Get Input From Employees To Focus On Practical Application

One of the quickest ways to rack up workforce online training expenses is to cast the net too wide. You try to cover so many topics or tasks that it eats up your budget. Not to mention, leads to cognitive overload for your employees. Get their input to narrow the scope and focus on training points that are practical and relevant. For example, a survey or social media poll reveals that they need some help using the POS for sales transactions. Or that they want to build their communication skills to improve customer service ratings. This data gives you the ability to concentrate on the practical application instead of theoretical knowledge. Keeping costs low and employee engagement high.

3. Host Live Events: The Gift That Keeps On Giving!

Live events, such as webinars, are great additions to your workforce development program. They allow employees to ask questions, share thoughts, and interact directly with the host (AKA managers, guest speakers, and team leaders). However, you can also record them and add them to your workforce development LMS. Just add some graphics, background music, and other minor touches to enrich the experience. For instance, a 20-minute webinar you hosted last week becomes 4 5-minute microlearning modules that cover skill-building topics. You can also simply upload the webinar as-is to the workforce development library for those who missed the live event. If it becomes outdated, work your magic with a rapid eLearning authoring tool (and refer to tip #1).

4. Launch An Employee Online Training Resource Library

Since we’re on the subject of libraries, you can also encourage your employees to contribute to the cause. Launch a user-generated library where they can upload their own online training resources. Saving you time and money, while allowing them to improve their understanding of the subject matter. As an example, a customer service employee develops a brief presentation that covers the return process. Or how to deal with a customer complaint according to company policy.

5. Invest In An LMS With Built-In Authoring

Another way to create a workforce development program from the ground up without breaking the bank is to invest wisely. Namely, choose an LMS with built-in authoring so that you can develop content yourself. Or repurpose what you already have. Most of these Learning Management Systems also feature assets you can incorporate into your design. Which reduces costs even further. Plus, you don’t have to purchase an external tool and worry about compatibility issues. Take some test drives to see which platform is best for your budget and if it offers the authoring functions you require.

6. Choose Flexible Templates For Quick Development And Maintenance

Templates make life easier for everyone involved. Your development team can quickly create cohesive workforce online training resources with fewer resources. While your employees are able to enjoy a consistent online training experience that incorporates your branding. The secret is to choose flexible templates that allow for stress-free maintenance. Preferably, those you can customize yourself to accommodate the subject matter and employees’ preferences. You might even consider developing your own template from scratch and then reusing it time and again to reduce costs.

7. Consider Outsourcing Tasks Outside Your Team’s Skill Set

I know this might seem counterintuitive if you’re trying to cut your spending. However, there may be certain tasks outside your team’s skill set or experience scope. For example, they’re not familiar with serious game development. It could simply be a matter of resource allocation. That it’s more cost-effective to outsource the development task to an online training solutions eLearning provider so that your team can tackle other aspects. Such as designing the framework or maintaining your current resources. Conduct a Training Needs Analysis and get input from your team to determine if outsourcing is the right choice.

These money-saving tips can help you launch a custom-tailored workforce development program from the ground up. It may require fewer online training resources but that won’t lessen the value for your remote workforce. In fact, gathering their input to personalize content makes it even more beneficial for your team. As you’re able to focus on their needs instead of trying to cover too much ground—and interrupt their busy schedules. You can also make it easier on your L&D staff by outsourcing tasks that are outside of their scope. Not to mention, improve resource allocation.

Do you want to discover more about the benefits a new LMS can bring to your business? Download the eBook Going Global Without Going Over Budget: Tips To Launch A Remote Workforce Development Program With The Right LMS, explore ways to bridge the gaps and enhance your business strategy.