The Coronavirus pandemic has forced every business and every employee to completely change the way they work almost instantly. While COVID has brought with it many struggles and problems for the world, there are a few things that have changed for the better. Training and reskilling are going to be absolutely crucial to navigating the new post COVID world, but how will ongoing development help support businesses and individuals as we begin to move towards some kind of normality?
TSG Training is looking at how equipping ourselves with knowledge and new skills, can enable us to thrive in an uncertain future.
New Ways Of Working
We don’t yet know how the way we work will look in the new post COVID world, but we do know it is likely to be very different from what we have been used to. Remote working and hybrid working are set to be the new way of life, and for many employees, this doesn’t come naturally. We need to learn how to make the most of technology in order to boost productivity and work better than ever in an entirely new way. Training individuals how to utilise these technologies is going to be vital for success in a post COVID world. Not only that, but more technology is being used now than ever before, and the technology companies need to keep up. This means more software developers, more software testers and more engineers than ever before. In an industry that is already experiencing a huge talent gap, there is more demand than ever for these IT roles. The world needs more people trained and skilled in software testing and software development in order to support these new ways of working. Businesses that previously had a small IT team might suddenly need many more employees who are trained in technology to help support their new remote operations.New Business Models
It isn’t just the way we work that has been forced to change, but also the way we run businesses. Many companies, particularly in the retail sector, have seen a huge shift to online services. Businesses that were once primarily brick and mortar locations are having to very quickly move to the digital world. Whether this is through online shopping, online services or remote events, it is a very different way of doing business. Employees who were once skilled at doing their jobs in one way are having to learn to operate with completely new processes. Training and reskilling are essential in helping staff to continue working even with new business models. Team members who previously did not work with online services might require new training so they can stay productive in this new way. Some companies have seen sales and business soar during the year, while others have experienced large losses and many challenges. Those companies that have not been fairing well during the pandemic might need to alter their business model in order to survive in a post COVID world. Training and development in business analysis, project management and more could help support these changes.More Time For Training
With thousands of employees now being forced to work from the comfort of their own home, there is more time than ever for training. Eliminating commuting times and lengthy business meetings mean that most individuals have time to spend working on their own development. Investing in training is always a strategic investment, as there are never any downsides to being highly skilled in any chosen subject. Using this extra time to grow your own skills or those of your team members is only going to help navigate the new post COVID world. Spending free time working on new skills and learning new things is also a great boost mentally. The Coronavirus pandemic has been a huge stress on many individuals and had a massive impact on mental wellbeing. Having training and development to focus on can help us all to feel like we can be more productive and are working towards something worthwhile. Employers that invest in development and training for employees will often see higher retention rates and satisfaction. This is because employees feel more valued and better prepared to handle their roles when they are given the opportunity to learn more.New Training Methods
The way we learn has also been forced to adapt to this new way of life. Previously training might take place in a classroom or seminar, but this is yet another industry that has been forced to embrace new technologies. Training courses are now operating online, and delegates are having to adapt to new training methods. Just a few of the ways that training is now being administered in a post COVID world are;- Virtual Learning: Here at TSG Training, we have introduced virtual learning methods to help support learners during these unprecedented times. Virtual classrooms are used instead of in-person classrooms, and they work in the same way. All delegates join the classroom virtually and can interact with one another and tutors. Tutors will use slides and presentations to deliver training, just like they would in a classroom environment.
- Remotely Proctored Exams: We know that a lot of things have had to be put on hold this year, but with our remotely proctored exams, qualifications are not one of them. All ISTQB and BCS exams can be sat remotely from the comfort of your own home. A webcam, microphone and internet connection are required for the duration of the exam.
