Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.
Remote work is here to stay. In fact, the percentage of remote employees more than doubled — from 13% in 2020 to 27% in 2022. And with that shift comes a challenge: how can businesses train their remote workforce?
The answer? Technology. AI, collaboration tools, and learning management systems have made it possible to train employees, whether they’re across the hall or across the country.
But training isn’t one-size-fits-all anymore. To keep employees engaged and build real skills, organizations need to rethink their approach. This article will take a look at the trends shaping employee training today, and what they mean for teams.
Emerging trends in employee training
Many emerging trends are shaping employee training. Some of them include the following:
The need for personalized training
Employees don’t learn the same way. Some prefer bite-sized videos, others want to read, and many want the freedom to go at their own pace. Personalization training materials help meet those needs.
That’s where AI comes in.
AI can analyze training data to identify how each person learns, which are their skills gaps, and what they need next. It’s not guesswork, it’s data-backed decision-making. AI tools can even suggest courses based on someone’s job role or career path.
The result? Employees are more likely to complete the whole training process, retain what they learn, and actually apply it. In fact, 93% of high-performing companies say personalization helps their teams hit goals faster.
Continuous learning and upskilling
Technology is changing fast. Job roles are shifting. And employees know it, especially Gen Z. According to a recent L&D benchmark report, 37% of Gen Z workers say they’ll leave if they’re not getting enough training.
To keep up, companies are moving toward continuous learning. Think microlearning — quick, focused content employees can fit into their day without blocking off hours at a time.
Training soft skills alongside technical skills
It’s not just about technical know-how. Today’s workplace calls for something more — communication, problem-solving, teamwork, emotional intelligence.
Frontline workers, in particular, need these skills to handle real-time challenges and interact with customers. But soft skills are just as critical behind the scenes. Cross-functional projects, remote collaboration, and hybrid teams all depend on how well people connect and cooperate.
Training that balances technical and soft skills builds a workforce that’s ready for anything.
The role of Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Training without structure gets messy fast. That’s why learning management systems are essential.
With over 73 million users globally, LMS platforms are now the backbone of training programs. They centralize everything — course materials, progress tracking, analytics — and make it easy to scale training across teams.
LMSs also support self-paced learning, keep onboarding organized, and allow content to be updated in real time. That’s how businesses can build a culture of ongoing development without starting from scratch every time.
Tips for meeting employee expectations
Organizations shouldn’t just offer training but deliver it in a way that works for their people.
Let them learn on their own terms
Employees want to choose when, where, and how they learn. Offering on-demand content and mobile access gives them that control. Bonus: they’re more likely to engage with training that actually feels useful.
Connect training to career growth
When employees can see how the training supports their goals, they pay attention. Personalized learning paths tied to career progression make training feel relevant—and motivate people to keep learning.
In conclusion
The future of employee training is shaping up to be more efficient, streamlined, and purposeful. Technology such as AI and machine learning facilitates this change, helping organizations create, share, and track training outcomes. Businesses must embrace self-directed learning, align training with career progression, and actively incorporate employee feedback to meet these needs.
