DISTANCE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES IN CORPORATE TRAINING: EXPERIENCE BY RUSSIAN COMPANIES

Abstract

Distance learning has solidly taken its niche in the market for corporate education programs, and this is not accidental. Studies of corporate experience show that the key ideas of using distance learning technologies in the corporate environment proceed from the specifics of company activities and their orientation at improving their own efficiency: o reducing the cost of organizing training for staff; o rational time usage for employees included in the corporate training system; o accumulating, constantly updating and systematizing corporate knowledge. The article presents results of a survey conducted among 120 specialists responsible for personnel training within their companies (114 entities in total). One third of the respondents (32%) has stated that their companies already use distance learning technologies; another 48% still have not implemented distance learning methods but are planning to do so in near future. Only 20% respondents said their companies are not using distance learning and are not planning to do in the foreseeable future. Most companies using distance learning technologies (71%) are attracted by the chance to cover a wider audience. Most respondents' companies have remote offices in various regions, so using distance learning is a convenient form of training for them. Another important factor for them is saving the employees' time - this advantage was mentioned by 53% of the respondents. Employees can pass the training right at their workplace, without leaving the work processes. Distance learning format also means no need to engage trainers - this advantage was mentioned by 38% of the respondents. Not all companies can afford expensive outside specialists, and distance learning, which is cheaper than in-person sessions, is the best option for them. Companies opening their own training centers can also benefit from distance learning, as it saves the staff trainers' time. According to the study, 33% of the respondents use the services of third-party e-learning providers; 37% use their own resources only, while 30% use both third-party services and their own capabilities. Among those who engage third-party providers, 29% work with a single training provider, 35% - with two, and 36% - with three or more. Most often distance learning technologies are used in sales training - this was mentioned by 51% of the respondents. They are also commonly used in general management (27%) and finance area (26%). Most employees using distance learning in the companies surveyed are middle managers (86%). Specialists (71%) and top managers (64%) are also trained using this method. Facing deficit of time, most companies (47%) allocate 4 to 9 hours a month to employee training. Some companies (24%) give more attention to this aspect, so 10 to 19 hours are allocated to distance learning in these companies.