Is Organizational Training Enabling or Withholding Employee Upskilling? A Study on Evolving Employee Perspectives on Training Needs, Implementation and Evaluation

Abstract

The pandemic propelled organizations to rely on digital learning methods, encompassing self-paced modules and live virtual sessions. This study focused on understanding whether the preferences of today’s workforce for learning align with the training methodology employed by organizations. Through the purposive sampling technique, we identified participants working with early-stage startups to established multinational corporations in various sectors such as IT/ITES, BFSI, Martech, Telecom, Consulting, and Healthtech. Our sample size of 24 included employees in the age group of 21 to 30 years, with total work experience spanning between 11 months and 8.5 years. We conducted semi-structured, open-ended interviews followed by narrative analysis methodology to analyze the responses and employee perspectives. Our key findings highlighted the importance of choosing the right trainer to ensure an optimum level of engagement, customization of training content for the audience and spacing out training timelines to avoid information overload. Additionally, participants preferred experiential learning through real-life case studies and group discussions on relevant topics for better applicability. Respondents favored case-study-based evaluations, conducted after a set period following the training, over the conventional methods of training evaluation. Notably, there was a preference for follow-up tests to assess learning retention. This study highlighted a misalignment between current training designs and the preference of the new generational workforce. Based on our insights, we emphasized the value of in-person training over self-paced options, even in the digital era. We have suggested ways for crafting more effective, robust and dynamic training programs which will aid organizations align with the ever-changing preferences of the current generation of workforce.