What to look for when researching a Learning Management System 

The best Learning Management Systems (LMS) were originally designed to provide businesses with software that would identify the gaps in their employees’ training and provide online content to deliver it. However, Learning Management Systems have come a long way since the early days and are now an invaluable tool that not only fulfills their original purpose but much more. An LMS can track and administer training as well as simplify administrative tasks and providing in-depth reporting.  

Online training is both the present and the future. By 2022, the e-learning market in the US is predicted to surpass $243 billion. Not only is e-learning more efficient and organized than traditional training methods, but it is more cost-effective and accessible too. Providing your employees with top-quality, role-specific training is essential, particularly in high-risk industries such as construction or oil and gas. Well-trained employees are more productive and less likely to be involved in incidents and accidents, which are just some of the reasons training and development provides one of the biggest returns on investment.  

Learning Management Systems are being implemented by more and more companies across the US each year. In this article, we outline the features shared by the best Learning Management Systems available.  

1. Accessible High-Quality Training 

Workplace accidents can have severe effects on both employees and the companies they work for. The type and quality of training provided by your LMS can dramatically reduce the number of incidents that occur onsite, saving your firm from costly lawsuits and compensation claims, and your employees from potentially life-changing injuries. The best type of LMS will provide the necessary training to equip your workers with the skills and knowledge they need to avoid putting themselves and their colleagues at risk. It will also keep track of whether your employees are up to date on their training requirements and assess them to gauge both competency and retention. Assuring your employees have completed their training and retained the competencies learned is crucial to the success of your business.  

2. Robust Reporting  

Juggling the training needs and requirements for various people, roles, and departments across a company can be a huge task. HR or Safety Managers are expected to manage training records, paper certificates, and their expiration dates; crucial documents and training requirements will inevitably be missed from time to time. However, a top LMS will provide you with a reporting function that compiles all the relevant information in one easy-to-view dashboard. This means your managers can distinguish any training gaps or potential expirations. Both employees and the administration can facilitate this, guaranteeing the maintenance of up-to-date, robust training for each employee. 

3. Affordable Pricing

Utilizing e-learning tools can reduce the amount of time spent on training employees by 40-60%. Investing in an LMS can drastically reduce or eliminate many of the traditional expenses associated with in-person training, such as materials and administration. E-learning is a particularly appropriate method if you have a large volume of employees who need training. Instead of having to find the time and space to train hundreds or even thousands of workers in-person, e-learning delivers high-quality training content to whoever needs it quickly and efficiently. The best Learning Management Systems are cloud-based, which means training records and documents are stored in one central location accessible from anywhere, saving you a lot of money on administration and storage costs. Learning Management Systems offer flexible options for pricing so that you can choose the one that suits your needs and allows your company to grow. 

4. Has the Training Your Company Needs

There is a seemingly endless number of training courses and programs available which can make it exceptionally difficult to ensure consistency within your company. Having effective, consistent training administered to your employees is a key factor in ensuring the safety and productivity of your company. Therefore, the value of an LMS which will deliver consistent content that meets the unique training requirements cannot be overstated. Top Learning Management Systems allow you to choose unique content to ensure consistency no matter how many employees across different departments or sites undertake the training provided. 

5. Accessible on Mobile Devices

E-learning provides accessible customized training for employees based in various locations. However, the best on the LMS market also offers your employees the option to log in from any device, whether it be a laptop, phone, or tablet. This provides truly accessible on-demand training that your employees can carry out remotely at their convenience. Enabling your workers to undertake their training at times and locations that suit them increases completion rates significantly.  

Whether you’re a small or multinational company, the training and development of your employees is a critical factor in the overall success of your company. An LMS is an incredibly powerful tool that can improve the training of your workers and keep the costs associated with it low. Your LMS allows you to create, choose, and administer content to employees then monitor and track their progress. Tailored reports mean you can identify gaps and ensure your employees are constantly up to date with their training requirements. Investing in a great LMS offers increased safety and competency throughout your company, which leads to a higher level of productivity and overall better results.