Towards Maturity

UK Source - Published By Laura Overton e-learning strategist : A record 400 participants across the private, public and not for profit sectors contributed to the Towards Maturity 2010 Benchmark - the 4th in a longitudinal research series looking at trends in the use of learning technologies in the workplace

Here are some of the preliminary findings:

Trends
The recession has had a positive influence on the use of learning technologies for most organisations, but 1 in 5 also found that their plans had been curtailed
Our appetite for learning technologies has increased significantly in last 18 months- there has been a considerable increase in demand for more access (at less cost); improved compliance; and better support of the rollout of new products, processes, IT systems and change.
Technology tools and options continue to expand but we are currently not taking advantage of the full range of options available.
Very few are planning to decrease their use of current learning technologies but over the next 2 years, social media expect the biggest growth.
More organisations are embedding technology in more skills programmes than in 2008, with health & safety, leadership & management and foreign language skills showing the biggest changes.
In terms of working with external providers for skills programmes, over 80% of organisations say that innovative use of learning technology will be a deciding factor in their selection of an external learning provider in the future.

Best practice
The 6 workstreams of best practice (highlighted in previous studies) continue to correlate directly to business success.
We have developed a new TM indicator in 2010 to help organisations compare their implementation practices with others and provide a focal point to support improvement.
Those in the top quartile of best practice are reporting 10% more cost saving, and are able to double the reduction in time to competency compared to the average.
There is inconsistent application of best practice across the industry, good implementation activity is common sense but not currently common practice.

Embedding learning technologies
50% of organisations allow access to social media in the workplace but only 11% of organisations are proactively harnessing them for learning

Interested in finding out more?
More details from the preliminary findings can be downloaded below.

The full report due out in November will explore these areas in more detail and will also consider:
A review of longitudinal trends, including budget
Implementation differences across the private, public and not for profit sectors
Changing practice and skills implications for L&D professionals
Practical advice & guidance

You can join Towards Maturity