“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.” This famous quote by the ex-CEO and co-Founder of Apple Inc., Steve Jobs, became words to live by for the Founder and CEO of iScuela Learn, Mr. Maninder Singh Bajwa. A software engineer by profession, Maninder always had a knack for technology and envisioned creating a solution that would be valuable for the world. This is what pushed him to leave his comfortable position in a technology firm in Melbourne post his engineering degree from Monash University and come back to India to set up his software development company. He then conceptualized iScuela which is a unified learning ecosystem that gives teachers the resources they need to provide students with a streamlined and integrated learning experience.
The push to reduce expenses and increase production is constant. Disruptive technology, the increasing complexity of geopolitics and global trade, developing risk and regulation, and the constant competition to attract and retain the appropriate individuals with the right skills have all added to the complexity. These factors are altering the workplace and posing new problems that will have an impact on your entire company.
To combat these issues, businesses are now modernizing their workforces in order to boost efficiency, innovation, and development. The importance of upskilling cannot be overstated in times like these. It’s all about forecasting future skills, establishing a cultural foundation, offering modern upskilling programmes, and putting together a learning and development function with the right EdTech to obtain a much better return on upskilling investment.
Digital upskilling initiatives not only result in a more competent and adaptive staff, but they also improve employee engagement and performance. Digital upskilling can start a route to lifetime learning, bridge the skills gap, and help employees contribute more to a company’s overall success for individuals who embrace a growth mentality.
Digital Learning Ecosystem
Employees enjoy continual learning more than any other sort of incentive or recognition, according to research. One reason is that knowledge, information, and technology are always changing, necessitating the existing workforce to stay on their toes in order to keep their abilities up to date. As a result, when companies invest in L&D projects, they can be assured that they will have a platform to consistently improve their abilities in order to keep up with changing trends.
However, as organizations adapt and grow, they suffer a skills’ shortage. According to a survey from IBM’s Institute for Business Value, nearly 60% of leaders around the world admit to struggling to keep their workers up to date and relevant with new market realities. In addition, hiring new personnel in the face of a rapidly changing information landscape is not a good decision. So the best way to close the skill gap is by building a digital learning environment.
A digital learning ecosystem connects all of an organization’s learning content to a range of different systems, such as employee learning management systems, CRM systems, consumer-facing websites, Intranets, and other company portals. The goal is to break down barriers between people, processes, and departments, resulting in a more unified company. A connected workplace where employees may connect, interact, learn, and share experiences is provided through a digital learning ecosystem. Increased efficiency and innovation help the company, both of which are important to get a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Benefits of using a Digital Ecosystem for Upskilling Through Online Training
There are multiple benefits of using a digital ecosystem for upskilling through online training. It is, firstly, easy and convenient to use for everyone. It enhances people’s existing skill set, allowing them to grow in their current role and adding value to their work and skills. Digital upskilling is the foundation that leads anyone to develop globally. It plays a significant role in helping people to gain new knowledge and be able to work more efficiently in their organizations. It also helps to increase productivity, improve talent acquisition and retention and create a more resilient workforce. Digital upskilling contributes to sustainability because it ensures continuity of the workforce for society. It also boosts morals as by developing better skills through online training, the citizens have a chance to contribute to their communities, future-proof their careers and explore a wide range of professional opportunities.
Summing Up
To help businesses accomplish their growth goals, a digital learning ecosystem goes beyond learning management systems, courses, and content. At a time when skills and knowledge have a two-year shelf life, there is a constant need to upskill people in order to meet the difficulties of development and expansion while remaining competitive in the marketplace. On the other hand, research reveals that one of the most essential aspects driving employees is the opportunity to constantly grow and evolve.
To create and benefit from a digital learning ecosystem, it is critical for businesses to first understand their employees’ needs and then design material with the big picture in mind. You must also develop empathy with the students. This is accomplished by creating material with the end user in mind and employing transparency, personalization, and responsiveness methods. Once the information is published, it must be updated on a regular basis at a high rate and scale, while also being personalized for each employee. Use data-driven insights to forecast vital business skills and build new material for employee learning and development. Finally, strive for continuous progress by continuously monitoring, measuring, and optimizing your digital learning ecosystem.