Preparing for a millennial workforce

By 2025 Millennials (people born between 1982 and 2004) will make up 75% of the workforce. If organizations want to attract, develop and retain the talent of this generation, they will need to adapt to their audience. Millennials have grown up in the digital age, their main method of communication and main source of information is the internet. They are used to online platforms which they can access anywhere, any time and on any device.  They are also used to processing a high volume of information in bite sized pieces; Microlearning.

Learning and training should be no exception.

Key Trends

2017 is all about, data, personalisation, microlearning and content. Internet users are more savvy than ever before; they make quick decisions on what they will engage with online and in what format. Video is now a key part of marketing and communication strategy and is quickly becoming the most used method of online communication. Video is something we have included in our eLearning modules for several years but is more important than ever now to engage with a younger audience. Engaging with a younger audience means understanding how to communicate with them. Having created eLearning for SAKs Apprentices and League Football Education to name a few, we are experienced in producing content for a younger audience. 

eLearning shouldn’t be viewed just as a place to access resources but more as a story, a journey the learner embarks on.

To get this right you need to start with…

Research, Data & Personalisation

Research suggests that the average concentration span for Millennials is around 90 seconds, this means the window of opportunity to engage with and communicate with this particular audience is small. Therefore, the initial impact is crucial to engagement. Once you have captured a Millennials attention you then to think carefully about how to keep it.

Knowing how your new employee’s, trainee’s or apprentices learn will shape the content, style and overall productivity of your learning modules. Forward thinking eLearning providers will work alongside you to shape this. 

Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are an integral to delivering valuable outcomes. They help to personalise the journey. Most eLearning now involves Gamification, rewarding individuals through challenges and badges/accreditation.

Using data effectively you could, for example,

• Create learner competitions and integrate them with popular social media streams
• Tailor the content to the individual based on their preferences and answers to certain questions.
• Record the outcomes of the learning and provide valuable information for the trainer, coach or company delivering the eLearning.
• Capture feedback
• Analyse the performance of the modules, adapt and change as required
• Analyse the performance of individual learners and identify areas of support

Microlearning and Content

Microlearning is a way of teaching and delivering content to learners in small, very specific bursts placing the learner in control of what and when they’re learning.

Considering that the average attention span for the next generation of workforce is 90 seconds, getting the content right is important.

As we mentioned earlier video is an increasingly popular method of communication, as are challenges and Gamification. Incorporating this into your eLearning modules will allow you to reach your audience in a way that they understand and respond to.

This doesn’t mean to say there isn’t scope for anything else! Illustrations, animation, infographics, photo’s and good old fashioned copy still have their place.

The challenge is to keep your key messages in focus, simple and to the point whilst at the same time informative and memorable. Sometimes, less is more!

How We Can Help

We have been providing eLearning training and eLearning courses for business and education for over 10 years. Having worked alongside national organisations including the International Olympics Committee (IOC) SAKSs Hair and Beauty and League Football Education as well as local education providers including The University of Hull, we offer a wealth of knowledge and experience in creating modern designs and learner journeys for young people, apprentices and trainee’s.

Call us to discuss your ideas, 01507 607783