The busy lives led by employees at multinational companies often makes face-to-face training very difficult. Business trips and meetings are only a couple of the obligations that often prevent them from going to class. For this reason, some companies choose virtual learning, where students are free to choose how, where and when they want to learn.
When Ursa Insulation decided to opt for virtual training, it wasn’t because the face-to-face sessions – mainly in English – weren’t up to their expectations. On the contrary, the classes given by Training Express were going very well. The only drawback, says Katherin Vazquez, a member of the Human Resources Department at Ursa Insulation, was how difficult it was for most employees to go to class regularly. “They travel a lot, and it was difficult for them to keep their attendance at the desired levels. That’s why we decided to look for a training system that adapted better to their pace of work.”
They travel a lot, and it was difficult for them to keep their attendance at the desired levels. That’s why we decided to look for a training system that adapted better to their pace of work.”
To make the transition easier, the company notified employees of the change, encouraging them to participate in the new program. “Training Express helped us by holding informative sessions to show employees how the virtual methodology works, informing them of the comparative advantages, as well as of how the classes can be rescheduled or cancelled,” explains Vazquez.
Initially, learners with lower levels were the most reluctant to accept the new methodology but, after a few months, once familiarized with virtual training, “many of our employees were thanking us for the change.”
In Katherin’s opinion, the main advantage of this methodology is flexibility, since it offers students the possibility of managing their own training. “They can modify schedules, change teachers or request progress reports. The timetable is very convenient, since they can have the session at night, on weekends or, for example, while they’re waiting for a flight at the airport.”
The presence of virtual training at Ursa Insulation has not resulted in the disappearance of face-to-face training. The company still offers it for specific cases, such as very low levels, “for people with absolutely no notions of English.”
According to Katherin, when it comes to designing a training program, the most important elements to consider are, firstly, the company’s goals and, then, each employee’s needs. “We analyze the job post and the employee’s performance reviews to establish the skills they require.”
Katherin considers it essential to design the training plan hand in hand with the language training company, “to ensure that the programs are tailored to our needs and that we are well-informed of the latest trends in the industry.” Working as a team with Training Express has proven the key to making language training more effective and efficient at Ursa Insulation.
