04/30/2019
One of the significant challenges that L&D teams face the world over is the wide range of ages in the workforce. As they gear up to handle the training needs and build leadership for tomorrow, the question is how to design a training strategy that would work across their multi-generational workforce.
The answer lies in first understanding the unique nuances of each generation and identifying what excites them, or otherwise. Then use the common cues to determine the right training strategy that can be delivered across the multi-generational workforce. In this article, I outline one of such measures that are, how you can leverage on mLearning to train your multi-generational workforce.
What Divergent Multigenerational Profiles Do You Need To Plan The Training For?
Today, most organizations have employees across the following 4 generations:
Note: In fact, in some organizations (like legal firms), you are likely to see even a fifth profile (the Traditionalists).
While each profile is different from the next, all of them have several common aspirations.
Each profile has some unique aspects that include what their preferred tools and methods of learning are. Also, the motivators that will help them learn are different for different profiles.
Interestingly, mLearning provides a wide range of options and possibilities that will help you address the learning approaches across all the profiles and train your multigenerational workforce.
What Factors And Expectations Are Common Across The Multigenerational Workforce?
At EI Design, we work with several global L&D teams to address this challenge of training the multigenerational workforce.
Let me share some of the key pointers we have seen on what the employees of today (across generations) wish to see.
Top 10 Wishlist
What Are The “Must Haves” To Train Your Multigenerational Workforce, And How Can You Leverage mLearning To Meet Them?
If I were to map the capabilities of mLearning-based training to the wish list to train the multigenerational workforce, it would tick all aspects.
Beyond these, the biggest appeal of mLearning for multigenerational workforce training is its ability to sync up with the learner lifestyles. Thereby, it can be delivered in diverse formats that can be consumed during the day or the week. This could include:
When combined with other trending approaches, its impact multiplies, and it resonates across the multigenerational teams. For instance, you can use:
How Can You Leverage On mLearning For Training Your Multigenerational Workforce?
You can leverage on mLearning for training your multigenerational workforce through the following approaches. You can offer:
While the challenge of the multigenerational workforce is a tough one, and it needs several measures to meet the mandate. Leveraging on mLearning is a great point to start.
By Asha Pandey