The explosive growth in use of the Internet is changing how training is being done in organizations. As more and more employees use computers and have access to Internet portals, their employers are seeing the World Wide Web as a means for distributing training to employees who are located in widely diverse locations and jobs.

A number of examples illustrate the power of web-based training. Laurent & Benon which is American based company in Mortgage business and employees spread across multiple locations to keep them updated on companies’ policies and training module. Lauren and Benon uses companies’ intranet to forward training mail with test on different topics like policies or training of how to value the customer.

It also should be recognized that web-based training may not be appropriate for certain types of training. For instance, leadership skill training or other behaviorally-focused training and development may be done better face-to-face using increased trainee interactions. Despite these and other issues that firms are experiencing as web-based training spreads, it is likely that this type of training will grow rapidly in the next few years. Once the initial investment in equipment and content development are made, web-based training becomes a more cost-effective means to training worldwide. Also, training can be simultaneously updated and communicated more easily to employees.

In summary, training using the web is likely to continue replacing classroom instruction in much of the training done by employers. Thus, more training may become distance learning and available on demand.

“When times get tough, training is the first expenditure cut.” Accordingly, often training expenditures are reduced significantly. But a growing number of employers have recognized that training is not just a cost; it is an investment in the human capital of the organization that benefits the entire organization.

By Priti Shah