Developing A Multi-Skilled Workforce Via eLearning
A multi-skilled workforce is something every organization dreams of having. However, if developing a multi-skilled workforce were that easy, every organization would be doing it. The first barrier that presents itself in developing multi-skilled employees, or “jacks-of-all-trades,” is the fixed mindset most employees have. The phrase “jack of all trades, ”is followed by “master of none,” which is a flawed way of thinking. The most successful people in the world from Leonardo Da Vinci to Bill Gates were all multi-potentials (i.e. they knew that the more skills they have, the better they could serve people).
Second, comes the amount of time and resources organizations think would be utilized in training employees in several important skills. This can be remedied with careful planning and implementation of a digital learning program in the workplace.
Finally, the most important part is the hard reality that not all of your employees are cut out to be multi-skilled, no matter how much time and resources you pour over them. Having said that, you don’t actually need every employee in your organization to be a jack of all trades, you just need some of them to be. In this article, we’ll discuss how organizations can develop a multi-skilled workforce using digital learning.
1. Pick Out The Select Few
As mentioned above, not all of your employees will have the capability to be multi-skilled. You need to pick out those who can be molded into “jacks of all trades.” First, assess them on their willingness to learn and take part in your digital learning program to turn them into multi-skilled specialists. A multi-potential employee will most likely be a lover of learning and will want to expand their knowledge as much as they can. A number of employees won’t even want to enter such a program. Eliminate them. Secondly, assess the remaining employees' problem-solving skills using digital learning assessments. Then, assess them on their adaptability skills. This is done because multi-skilled employees have to know how to adapt to different subjects and concepts, as well as use their problem-solving skills to create solutions that can be transferred to a number of domains. Your selected employees should also be able to think of the big picture and create connections in various fields. Finally, their communication skills should be excellent. Make sure that you select a few employees from every department in your organization.
2. Train Them In Various Skills Using Digital Learning
Digital learning has made employee training easy and flexible. But, when training your multi-skilled workforce, it is imperative that you use only the best of the best. Use learner-centric approaches like mobile learning, microlearning, personalized learning, gamification, social learning and proper feedback. Mobile learning and microlearning will ensure that your selected employees are able to access digital learning courses whenever and wherever they want on their smartphones. Personalized learning will ensure that the employees can select the subjects and skills they want to excel in as they see fit. Gamification will ensure that the employees are kept engaged, while social learning will make sure that they learn to work in teams while collaborating with their colleagues. Finally, feedback is important for employee morale as well as self-assessment on where they stand.
3. Provide Them With Constant Support
Think of your selected multi-skilled employees as your “Special Forces Unit.” They’ll be the leaders of your organization in multiple inter-disciplinary fields in their future. For them to succeed, you need to give them constant support, both in terms of resources, technology as well as advice.
Creative people who can think out-of-the-box, have a love for learning, and who are willing to push themselves are the ones who’ll build a better world in the future. As competition increases, having a multi-skilled workforce won’t just be something that gives an organization a distinct edge over others, it’ll be a necessity. Our world is getting more dynamic with passing time, and individuals who can continuously learn and adapt to changing trends and technologies are the only ones who’ll survive in the future.
Originally published at cblpro.com.
