Why would a training department want ilearn?

To have a more efficient way of tracking training ( replaces paper filing and hand-entered spreadsheets)

• When employees attend a class (or even take an online class) the training department needs a record. Historically, these records are files of signed rosters, copies of certificates or invoices or other misc. pieces of paper that then have to be (or should be) put into a database. Sometimes, it's the last thing anyone wants to do.

To have an 'at-a-glance' look at training schedules, resources and training records.

• Many times a trainer has to report on number of classes offered and who attended what, or a snr. manager may call and say "did so and so attend this class?" It's easier to punch a number into a screen than to shuffle through files of signed rosters or search on a spreadsheet.

To pull reports on $$ spent to match budget figures/invoices

• Many companies like to see $$ (and/or hours of training) per employee figures, either for a specific time period (like quarters) or for a particular class or even series of classes.
• When an invoice needs to be paid, many companies track, or even, charge back to specific departments of those attending. Having a quick view of # attendees or a quick report on what cost codes were represented in the class helps with cost code allocations

To be able to measure the effectiveness of training efforts, from particular trainers and vendors to types of training offered (i.e. instructor-lead vs. online classes).

• Without reliable, valid data, it's impossible to gauge the value of the training delivered. Like many support functions in organizations, training departments must continually demonstrate the bottom-line impact of their efforts to the organization. Tracking is the foundation for ROI activities.

To be able to track certifications and credits.

• Many organizations - legal, educational, manufacturing - require that employees maintain certain levels of proficiency in various skill sets.  ilearn allows a company to track continuing education credits (CEU's), training hours, expiring & renewing certifications and provides a host of other reporting and automatic notification options to its employees and management.

To be able to manage market demand rather than react to knee jerk training needs.

• With the request-a-class features, the training 'buyer' can better anticipate needs and drive training efforts toward actual interest and business issues. This helps with vendor negotiations. Many times a training department conducts a training needs analysis once a year with a simple survey about what classes people think they need. By the time many of the requests are handled, the need is obsolete.

The data builds historically so information on past activity can be pulled and printed for various reasons other than calculating ROI.

• Many government regulations, quality systems (like ISO 9000), and outside funding sources (like grants or governing bodies) require solid records of employee training.

To be able to communicate information to interested parties.

• The news feature and overall website look/feel allows employees to see what's coming and what may interest them. They get to manage their intake without being subjected to countless broadcast e-mails about training issues that may or may not effect them.
• In turn, sending an e-mail to specific parties (those interested or sign-up for a class) has greater impact. Even a broadcast e-mail from the training department can be more effective because they would be fewer and far between and sent with great purpose... therefore potentially opened and even read!

To support self-managed learning efforts.

• Adults like to be in control ... especially of their own development. Using a web-based application put the power in their hands. They can search, request, sign-up, un-sign-up for classes.
• They can see their personal development 'plan' in the form of classes they are supposed to take.
• They receive reminders about classes from the system, but can also go to the site and see what they've signed-up for, the times and locations. (Without calling the training department to be reminded)

To have a way to manage who is coming and who is not; who attended and who did not.

• Not only do training departments have to keep track of who attended a class, but also who has signed up, but did not attend. The roster feature allows training administrators to see who has registered and who actually attends. It takes hours off checking and double checking attendance records.
• The system-generated reminders, cost code manager approval feature and ability to e-mail anyone signed up for a class to change dates/times/locations all eliminated much of the small tasks and repetitive e-mails and phone calls associated with administering training classes.

Finally ... this system frees up valuable time for training departments to do what they do best ....training, designing classes, working with human resources to develop company talent and improve the caliber of employee education initiatives.