Virtual Instructor-Led Training Training has been around for decades, but its popularity has skyrocketed this year as a result of stay-at-home mandates. Even in a post-pandemic era, virtual schooling will undoubtedly remain the preferred learning technique.

Online Learning and Development Is the Way of the Future

We are quick to adopt internet skills that improve our lives. Over half of all adults in the United States bank online and 56% of all bills are paid online. Over 246 million Americans used social media last year. It should come as no surprise that the majority of training and development programs are now available online. Virtual Instructor-Led Training online learning has been present since the 1990s, but it has taken years for it to become widely recognized. Virtual training was described as “an overnight triumph, 20 years in the making” by Training Industry.

Because of stay-at-home orders issued during the coronavirus epidemic, virtual training peaked in 2020. Even in a post-pandemic era, virtual schooling will undoubtedly remain the preferred learning technique.

What Exactly Is Online Instructor-Led Training?

VILT, or Virtual Instructor-Led Training, is training that is delivered via a virtual environment while the instructor and learner are in different locations. A virtual learning environment attempts to mimic a traditional classroom to make online training more successful and adaptive to learners.

VILT is one of the most rapidly expanding ways of online learning. VILT is frequently used as part of a larger, integrated company-wide training strategy for professional development, skills training, and employee onboarding.

Because of the internet’s limitless capabilities, virtual instructor-led training thrives in today’s environment. Although VILT typically mirrors the style of a traditional classroom, students frequently praise its adaptability. Any type of learner can benefit from this type of digital learning experience.

5 Advantages of VILT

The capacity to study digitally has transformed both how people are given new information and how they seek new knowledge. VILT can connect learners from many cities, states, and nations with different social backgrounds and customs.

Implementing Virtual Instructor-Led Training in a business offers numerous advantages:

1. Economical Effectiveness

Many organizations pay for staff training, which is a typical practice in today’s business environment. Employees typically attend seminars or training programs and then submit a form to the firm for reimbursement.

This technique of funding training costs can be expensive. Paying for individual training for each employee is a hidden cost that many businesses fail to identify. Investing in company-wide learning initiatives, such as high-quality Virtual Instructor-Led Training courses, guarantees that every worker has access to training for required CE credits and professional growth while also keeping overall company costs low.

2. Individuality

Diversity in the workplace has a positive impact on how individuals learn and behave. However, diversity can only be successful if it is applied correctly. Because Virtual Instructor-Led Training is not based on physical proximity, people can learn new topics from educators who are not the same as those they contact daily. VILT allows professionals to interact with industry specialists of all ethnic origins, each with their own set of experiences and knowledge.

3. Professional Development

Employee turnover is difficult for businesses. It can harm productivity and morale and cost a lot of money. Companies typically spend over $4,000 to find a new hire, and it takes an average of 42 days to fill a vacant position.

A strong VILT program can assist a company in filling knowledge gaps and keeping employees motivated in their work. Employees are more motivated on the job when a corporation invests in its growth. As a result, the organization can reap the benefits of their employees’ newly acquired abilities.

4. Flexibility

There are numerous advantages to online Instructor-Led Training. Because these courses are delivered virtually, students can pause or re-watch class segments that they may not have fully comprehended. Adaptability is a valuable asset of VILT since it is useful to learners of various ages and abilities.

5. Ease of use

People are unlikely to participate in training that is both necessary and inconvenient to their schedules. It is not possible to expect employees to carve out time to commute and engage in a physical classroom setting. Working people benefit from VILT’s flexibility. Learners can participate anywhere and whenever they wish, whether at work, at home, or on a mobile device. Employees will feel more inclined to take part in training if flexible and easy options are given.

Best Practices for Virtual Instructor-Led Training

Company-wide training programs are effective in environments that promote workplace learning and development. Companies who implement successful VILT initiatives will:

1. Integrate training into a bigger company initiative.

Virtual Instructor-Led Training is an excellent way to learn. VILT, on the other hand, can only be effective as part of a wider company-wide training program. Organizations must invest in a high-quality training program that includes virtual instructor-led courses that target the needs of each employee.

2. Monitor and assess the effectiveness of your training.

It is one thing to put a training program in place. It is quite another to ensure that it works. After implementing a strategy, organizations must continue to champion learning and track individual success. A good virtual training platform lets you track employee development and offer courses as needed.

3. Select courses taught by subject domain experts.

Subject Matter Experts (SME) that are highly experienced in their industry provide the best training. Ensure that training courses are delivered by an SME; for example, every course in Lorman’s Learning Library has been reviewed and taught by industry professionals.

VILT Implementation in Organizations

Companies who are ready to take the next steps toward developing a Virtual Instructor-Led Training program should take three fundamental steps:

• Invest in a high-quality training platform with a diverse material library that meets the needs of your employees’ personal development as well as the overall corporate goals.
• Pay attention to employee input and alter corporate training initiatives as needed to ensure that your organization’s training is beneficial to everyone.
• Change the culture of the firm and promote Learning and Development from the top down.