Lifelong learning and continuous professional development are key to ensuring the competitiveness of businesses and involve a great deal of work. This makes it all the more important to stay up to date on this topic. The focus of in-house training courses and seminars is on unlocking and developing people’s potential. This makes it the perfect way to tackle the long-standing shortage of skilled workers in Germany. It may sound simplistic, but it works – and that is precisely why demand in this sector shows no sign of abating. We have summarised the latest trends for you in this blog post.
Why should you invest in in-house training?
Training courses, workshops, coaching and the like are all the rage, whether amongst individuals or within companies. It is a trend designed to help stabilise the skills shortage in Germany. In-house training thrives on its creative and open atmosphere, which has a direct impact on participants’ well-being. That is precisely what makes the difference. This unique atmosphere motivates participants to contribute their own ideas and makes them receptive to new insights and information. Combined with a special atmosphere, nothing stands in the way of successful training. A single day of professional training generally achieves better results than the model of in-house training programmes – and is therefore a highly effective approach.
Different fields and topics
Hardly any other field is as diverse as the world of training. Courses exist on almost every subject, and as a result, the range on offer is vast and can be confusing. For our trend analysis, we have focused on the key topics in the field of in-company training and separated them from the traditional umbrella term ‘soft skills’, so that you know exactly where the trends lie and which training programmes you should prioritise at work in the future. We have divided our top categories as follows:
Management Skills
Management skills and leadership qualifications are at the forefront of in-company training and are therefore the most important subject area for employers. According to a survey by the Wuppertaler Kreis e. V., topics such as change management and leading virtual teams are particularly important for 85 per cent of companies. Ultimately, a company is only as good as its leadership. Managers serve first and foremost as role models for their staff. Furthermore, managers act as an interface between senior management and other staff, such as those in the front office. As they are a hub for many operations, knowledge can be disseminated further from this position.
Digital skills
One trend in in-house training that shows no sign of abating is the focus on user skills and topics relating to digitalisation. The companies surveyed as part of the Stifterverband’s Trend Monitor also foresee an ever-growing need in future for training programmes covering specialist knowledge and soft skills in relation to digitalisation. New features and updates are constantly forcing employers to offer workshops to ensure they are not overtaken by their competitors. This also includes Excel. An exciting aspect of digitalisation, for example, is automation and artificial intelligence, which make life much easier for companies and will be virtually indispensable in the future. All the more reason to lay the right foundations now. ‘Digital leadership’ and ‘virtual team leadership’ are also terms that are becoming increasingly common in modern offices and have gained popularity in recent years.
Personal wellbeing
Offering in-house training programmes for staff not only ensures a more competent workforce but also has a positive impact on employee motivation and work efficiency. This is a trend that has already taken hold in many companies; according to HHL Leipzig’s ‘Trendmonitor Weiterbildung 2018’, 57 per cent of companies already offer training in the area of ‘occupational health’. This means this sector is larger than that of finance and economics. A successful company is therefore directly linked to the personal wellbeing of its staff as individuals. Alongside specialist training, workshops that support staff wellbeing are therefore coming to the fore. Topics such as stress management, work-life balance and self-management are very popular in the context of in-house training. The resulting focus on employees’ personal wellbeing also leads to increased productivity. It is, therefore, a win-win situation.
Corporate training in a state of flux
According to the World Economic Forum, the forecast is as follows: by 2022, 42 per cent of tasks will be carried out using machines and algorithms – in other words, through automation. The skills required will shift dramatically in the coming years. Soft skills, such as analytical thinking, active learning and an understanding of technology, will be taken for granted in future. Conversely, soft skills such as creativity, originality and initiative, critical thinking, and the ability to persuade and negotiate will become increasingly important. Coupled with attention to detail, resilience, flexibility and the ability to solve complex problems, this should round off the overall package.
Even if soft skills continue to dominate in general, two important aspects should be borne in mind: firstly, it is important to classify and distinguish these skills correctly. A clearer distinction between these terms is needed. For example, personal well-being – often considered a soft skill – can be key to retaining qualified staff within a company. Secondly, it is becoming clear that technical skills are taking centre stage due to the shortage of skilled workers. Analytical thinking will not help an employee if they are unable to critically question the automated decisions made by a machine. It is therefore worth developing a strategy for in-house training now, in order to remain competitive in the future with a qualified workforce.
Virtual training rooms & in-house solutions
Other trends also relate to the way in which teaching is conducted: digitalisation is transforming the world, and the training sector is naturally no exception – both in terms of content and organisation. In future, the focus of training methods could shift towards e-learning and webinars – moving away from the old-school teaching system. Whilst these options are still in their infancy, they should not be underestimated. Start exploring these methods now.
On the other hand, it is clear that the in-house training model is also booming. Whilst webinars do not require any on-site staff at all, companies bring external trainers into their own premises for in-house seminars. Both models offer the advantage of completely eliminating travel costs whilst still allowing staff to benefit from the expertise of external professionals. After all, the time saved can be used to complete other tasks in the meantime.
In-house training as a form of recognition
However, many employees regard the traditional training model as an opportunity to ‘get out of the office’ for a change and as a form of reward or recognition. This aspect should by no means be underestimated. Furthermore, not all companies have sufficient space to host in-house training and therefore fall back on the traditional model of further training. Furthermore, familiar surroundings are seen as a hindrance to an open atmosphere, thereby undermining the whole concept of in-house training. You should also bear in mind that some training sessions, such as team-building exercises and Excel workshops, require participants to be physically present; otherwise, they are doomed to failure.
To create the ideal setting for in-house training, external seminar venues are therefore a good option. Conference rooms in business centres are particularly popular, but an unconventional event venue can also be inspiring. Employees are given the chance to flourish in a completely new environment. A special setting or a beautiful view can help with this. As the appropriate framework is already in place, the trainers are spared unnecessary work and can devote all their energy to their presentation.
Conclusion
If we look at the subject area of in-company training, it is clear that the megatrend of digitalisation is constantly demanding new specialist knowledge and soft skills, and will therefore continue to dominate training provision in the future. To remain competitive in the market, therefore, companies should stay on the ball in this area and keep abreast of the latest technologies. Another significant trend can be observed in the field of management, as digitalisation is also gaining ground here. As new working models, such as remote working, become more widespread, e-learning and webinars will also become more popular, as there will no longer be a fixed location for all staff. One thing is clear: training programmes enhance a company’s appeal and are increasingly being used to attract new staff. You should already have a medium- to long-term plan in place so as not to be left behind in the near future.
Cover image: Shutterstock.com/GaudiLab