Challenge

Training is needed more than ever to keep skills relevant. Classroom-based training is slow, expensive and inflexible.

Opportunity

Individual courses address specific skill gaps.
Learning paths will build skill sets.
Microdegrees can redirect whole careers.
Train general skills that are now essential to any modern organization:
Leverage learning trends:
- Microlearning allows shorter attention spans.
- Gamification encourages healthy competition.
- Geofencing offers the right training in the right environment.
- Mobile learning turns your phone into a learning platform.
Build your own learning environment with LMS (see Tools). Updating is easier. Content is more relevant. Vision and values can only be transferred internally.

Diminishing marginal costs. Online training can scale. Reduce or eliminate fees for live trainers, travel, venues, accommodation and meals.
Tracking progress and certifications is easier. Transfer certifications to a skills database.
Online training is easy to personalize: build courses using video, audio or text for different learner types. Add further flexibility with options for individuals/groups and desktop/mobile.

Over 7,000+ credentials are available from online providers. Some of them are waste of money. Time and effort is needed to find the best 1%.
Nurses, actors and helicopter mechanics will still need to learn on-site. Live training is the best option for handling complex topics and for physical skills practice.
Aaron Barth argues that the bulk of online training is boring. The difference between tedious and transformative online learning is telling powerful stories.

Amazong, Google, AT&T and other leading tech companies have started to hire nanodegree graduates.
Around 7,000 LEGO staff is using LinkedIn Learning at least 2x a month to learn critical thinking, design and soft skills.
Walmart and Verizon used VR training to shorten training times 97% and 98%, respectively.

A Redditor built a free online MBA – The most sought-after MBAs can cost over 200k$. Typical online eMBAs cost 10k$. Are they worth the prestige? You can get the same academics for free online.
DIY Data Science Master’s – David Venturi built his own data master’s programme with online resources.
What You Need to Create An Industry Leading Online Training Center – Microlearning, flexibility and a community are keys to success.
Grow with Google – Free online courses on how to digitize, grow and support your business.
Academy – A Finnish service that relaunches careers to the IT industry in 12 weeks.

Almost anythingcan be learnt online today. The challenge is in finding the right courses and building meaningful learning paths.
Leverage new learning trends: microlearning, gamification, geofencing and mobile learning.
Fill the skills gap quicker by hiring from nontraditional education providers, such as bootcamps and nanodegree programs.