Sun Feb 05 2023 10:09:47 GMT+0200 (South Africa Standard Time) - QikTruck Media
As the workplace shifts to accommodate remote working, many employers are unsure of the impact that this new way of working will have on employee learning and development strategies. South African businesses have an especially difficult challenge to contend with, as they must meet their unique cultural and business requisites in tandem with global remote work policies. This article will explore some of the critical elements of employer-driven learning and development in the newly remote South African market.
Perhaps the first and most pressing concern employers must tackle when confronting remote working, is how to effectively boost employee skill development from a distance. As the traditional office environment can easily provide a platform for colleagues to collaborate, share knowledge, and offer support to their peers, these beneficial elements are much harder to facilitate for remote working environments.
Traditionally, skill development was regulated by the ‘see one, do one, teach one’ method, making skill transference easier. However, with employees separated geographically, this method becomes virtual and much more complex. Social distancing restrictions have further hampered this process due to the need for limited physical meetings, making it even more challenging to develop skills without face-to-face contact.
Despite the decline of physical meeting spaces, remote learning resources have increased in availability. As resources become more widely accessible, the need for traditional office-based learning decreases and virtual learning becomes the norm. Fortunately, South African organisations are fortunate to have a wide selection of online platforms and resources to select from. These range from free online courses and YouTube videos, to more structured and formal e-learning options.
Many organisations are taking the opportunity to develop their own online learning resource bank, allowing staff members to draw on quick online pre-recorded videos or live virtual sessions, wherever and whenever they need. This gives staff members the flexibility to ramp up on their skills, or even branch out and learn a new skill, within the comfort of their home or other remote work environment.
As the working culture kindles towards a hybrid model of remote and in-office staff, it is essential that businesses develop unique strategies that focus on the individual needs of their employees. This human focus will ensure that employers retain their talent by accessing the skills they need while at the same time helping to maintain a positive team atmosphere.
For example, companies like QikTruck in South Africa have been using technology-driven underlining processes that offer flexibility, awareness of employee emotions and a spotlight on their employee’s unique skill sets. By prioritising the unique needs and talents of employees, employers can use their resources to craft innovative and personalised development plans.
It is clear that despite the challenges, remote working offers a number of benefits in terms of skill and talent development. Remote hosting platforms allow for quick and easy collaboration, allowing for a speedier work flow. These platforms also provide an efficient and cost-effective solution for learning and development, as the resources are computer-based and can be easily accessed from any multipurpose device.
The introduction of hybrid learning environments, have also allowed employees across the board to select their own learning journey, with the help of their employers. These self-defined paths have proven to be especially beneficial for organisations that span multiple cities, as it ensures that all employees are receiving the same quality of training regardless of their location.
As we venture into a new era of remote working, companies like QikTruck can play an essential role in providing the necessary skill and talent development resources to ensure the bespoke needs of employees are met. With the combination of advantageous e-learning resources and strong digital collaboration platforms, employees are able to select and design their own digital learning journey.
Whether it's for learning and development or for a company-wide move to remote working, South African businesses can rely on QikTruck as a reliable partner to assist in making the transition smoother, faster and with results-driven success.