What is training delivery?

Training delivery refers to concrete strategies for successfully transferring knowledge and skills from instructor to learner. There are many methods for delivering successful training, which should be tailored to the target audience and the business strategy. In this article, you get an overview of the different training delivery methods to choose from, and we provide some insight into how you as a training provider can leverage these techniques together with training management and learning management systems.

 

Selecting a training delivery method is a key element in achieving learning goals  

Training delivery methods are different techniques and processes that instructors and trainers use to help learners accomplish their learning goals. There are many different methods to choose from, depending on factors such as the desired learning outcome, learning preference, and desired format. Additionally, each training delivery method is defined by its approach to learning, which can be practically or theoretically structured in its content. Regardless, different training delivery methods facilitate the achievement of goals, both for the instructor (and consequently the overall business) and the individual learner.

 

Examples of training delivery methods

Training delivery methods can either be practical or theoretical techniques. For example, you can deliver mobile learning methods and allow employees or participants to learn in short segments through their smartphone. These simple training sessions might be beneficial in a busy schedule and be quite engaging even though the contents are theoretical.  

You can also utilise case studies, which tend to be more practical. The instructor provides examples that the participant critically analyses and decides on an appropriate action or outcome. 

 

Categorisation of training delivery methods 

Synchronous learning 

Learning happens in real time, either in a physical or virtual environment. Instructor-led and practical, on-the-job training are prime examples of synchronous learning. 

Asynchronous learning

Learning is self-paced, meaning that the learner completes the course programme at their own pace that fits their potential learning barriers or their general preference. Asynchronous learning often happens in an online learning approach. 

Blended learning

A mixture of the previous approaches to learning. Blended learning is carried out both in physical space, where the session might be instructor-led, and in a digital environment, either as a self-paced e-learning session or as a live digital space.

 

Introduce training delivery methods as a training provider

As a training provider, perhaps one of your business metrics is how many companies you can attract and sell your training sessions to, either for their internal upskilling (such as an e-learning course) or by hiring you and your instructors to deliver the training. Either way, you must ensure that you are communicating the financial value of training in a comprehensive and strategic way. After all, training supports onboarding, reskilling, and upskilling. By offering customised training and diverse delivery methods, you are also more likely to attract companies with similar needs for their employees.

 

Explore valuable information 

As a provider of learning management systems, we have many years of experience collaborating with training providers. Through this, we have gained many insights into the world of learning and how you, as a training provider, can customise your training programmes to accommodate various learning and teaching styles. Continue to explore our collection of articles that delve into this further.

• Bite-sized learning
• Online learning 
• Blended learning
• Informal learning 
• Lifelong learning
• Multimodal learning 

Interested in an LMS? Explore our new features in the Learning Management System

List of popular training delivery methods 

We want to help you select the most relevant training delivery methods for your business. In the list below you will get a comprehensive overview of many different methods, before we delve into four main categories of training delivery methods.

• Lectures and classroom learning 
• Webinars 
• Instructor-led training 
• On-the-job training 
• Mentoring
• Coaching 
• Workshops, seminars, and group discussions 
• E-learning, including online modules and video-based learning
• Blended learning
• Scenarios and role-play activities 
• Learning games and equipment simulations 
• Modelling 
• Apprenticeship

Training delivery method: Instructor-led, classroom training 

Instructor-led training is basically a traditional classroom format of learning that most recognise from our own schooling. 

• Classroom learning 
• Lectures
• Seminars and group discussions

Lectures are commonly used in traditional academic environments, where a professor explains a concept or a theory to an auditorium filled with students. In a training environment, the course can be shaped similarly and the instructor can play the role of the lecturer. Classroom learning is a similar concept. 

One way to increase engagement is to include discussions among learners or between the instructor and the learners. This also encourages critical thinking among the learners and makes the entire learning process less passive.

 

Training delivery method: On-the-job, practical training 

Another way of delivering training is to organise it during work hours and to offer upskilling opportunities in the workplace. On-the-job training refers to a type of learning that uses workplace resources, including other employees, time, and financial resources. Managers and colleagues guide learners through exercises and offer constructive feedback throughout the session.

There are many ways of doing practical on-the-job training, including: 

• Mentoring: Mentoring is a training method where a new employee or a junior employee is mentored by a more senior colleague.  
• Coaching: One-on-one guidance to a single employee, with the intention to improve performance in a particular area to enhance their skills.  
• Modelling: Modelling involves shadowing another colleague and observing what that person is doing. Also known as behavioural modelling as the goal is to adapt certain skills or behavioural patterns.   

Explore further: The value of investing in employee training 

 

Training delivery method: Digital learning 

Online learning is a digital method for offering flexible, personalised learning sessions to employees or participants. They can access digital learning resources from their desktop or smartphone and essentially do the course whenever, wherever, and however they would like. 

That being said, online learning can be executed in a few different ways and formats:

• E-learning 
• Webinars
• Online course 

 

E-learning 

E-learning entails that someone learns remotely through a learning platform, without attending live classes or doing individual sessions in real-time. Training providers like yourself have pre-recorded sessions that engage the learner and guide them through various content and learning exercises. 

 

Webinars or online courses 

Webinars and online courses are often live where the learner is in the same virtual room as an instructor and other learners. It is also possible to have a one-on-one session in an online course. Nevertheless, you learn in a virtual environment, but have the same opportunity as in a physical classroom learning to engage with the instructor in real time. It is often carried out in a digital instructor-led way. 

 

Training delivery method: Blended learning

Blended learning is a great method to take advantage of both digital and physical learning opportunities. It is one part online and one part away from home, which enables the learner to take their own personalised learning path. This makes blended learning a flexible and personal approach to learning that you as a training provider can facilitate by offering online modules and instructor-led formats. 

You can include learning methods that increase engagement, for example: 

• Scenarios
• Role-play activities
• Learning games 
• Equipment simulations

 

How to choose the appropriate training delivery method 

The most suitable training delivery method for your business depends on your goals and the customer base you are attracting. A good way to determine the appropriate delivery methods is to assess the current situation within your company. Consider the actual training programmes and their content, as well as the business metrics and performance indicators that you utilise.

Discuss elements like learning objectives, target audience, budget, available resources, and desired level of interaction.

 

The current training delivery

In what formats do you deliver your training? Online or in-person? E-learning courses or blended learning strategies? 

Who are your participants and what are their learning objectives? How do they learn best? Take advantage of existing data on the learning outcomes and course evaluation surveys. 

 

Business performance

Consider your business objectives and the current state of business. Do you want to or need to grow your business? How can you increase engagement and involvement? 

 

Focus on the learning objectives 

If you discover that there are some discrepancies after evaluating the current training delivery or business performance, then we recommend that you focus on the learning objectives and hone in on whether they are relevant to your business and your participants. One way to do this is to always ensure that the learning objectives are measurable. This means that they must be clearly defined and have a set of criteria that measure progress and success. 

They must also be achievable, realistic, relevant and have a clear timeframe. Use these criteria to identify whether the learning objectives are aligned with the training offer. If they are not, then you should consult with your participant or the company and make any relevant changes to the training delivery. 

 

Integrate the training strategy into your business strategy

We mentioned earlier that you must clearly communicate to businesses or customers that training is a key business approach that will enhance employees’ knowledge and skills. One way for businesses to see the value in training is to assess the training delivery in relation to the return on investment (ROI). Since training delivery methods can influence employee performance or improve efficiency, it has a direct impact on ROI. If you are using the Phillips ROI training evaluation model, you are already aware of the effect course evaluations have on improving your training offer. You can apply the same train of thought to the impact of the training delivery method on your business performance.

A positive ROI indicates that the financial benefits of the training programme outweigh its costs. In this process, it is important to isolate the effects of training. It is critical to disregard any business impacts that are not directly linked to the training programme. From here, you should report the results of the analysis. Use the information to make even more informed decisions and be transparent with stakeholders about the results.

This makes it possible to quantify the financial impact of your training programmes, which not only is important for selling your course and attracting customers, but key to securing investments from various stakeholders. 

 

Leverage technology to optimise your training delivery

If you truly want to maximise the impact of your training programmes, we recommend that you embrace technology that will help you to deliver high quality training, regardless of method. Tools TMS and LMS like we offer at FrontCore are not merely administrative tools, they are crucial for the overall success of your business strategy. You can offer effective and diverse delivery methods through an LMS, while a TMS ensures seamless management of all training logistics. 

Using these platforms holistically offers insights into performance, allowing you to track key metrics and gather participant and customer feedback, which you can analyse to identify which training delivery methods resonate with your target audience. Ultimately, this insight can impact the return on investment and be a key driver in ensuring business success. 

Did you like this article? Don't forget to share it: