Technology is a tool and, like all tools, how well it performs depends almost entirely on the competency of the people using it.
How can you ensure you get the needed competency? Today’s technology tools are complex and, used by both end users and technical teams, where more often than not, a one-off, one-size-fits-all training course may not meet all your needs.
Take the example of an ERP system. End users are likely to be a combination of:
- Full-time users who work continuously with the system using multiple functionalities
- Employees who use the system a couple of times a day or week – perhaps for running reports or performing other simple, regular tasks
- Staff who only use the system once or twice a year – for example for ad-hoc purchase requests, travel expenses claims, or annual performance appraisals
Each end user type will have different knowledge needs, and will require different training at different times.
Technical teams may have a combination of diverse learning needs too.
- Implementers need to have a lot of in-depth knowledge up front to ensure optimal deployment. A well-timed intensive course may be suitable here, and you may wish to organize a private classroom-based training event to help build project team cohesion and morale. Once the system is deployed, these individuals may not need such a heavy focus on learning. However, they will most likely need a refresher course later on, for example when performing upgrades, or if the system needs to be integrated with other technologies a few months or years down the line.
- Administrators need to constantly keep their technical knowledge current in order to utilize product capabilities and efficiencies, make business-driven optimizations throughout the year, and leverage the new system features as they emerge. For this job role, a continuous learning program will produce better outcomes.
How do you offer learning to fit all these different needs?
Besides knowing who to train on what, when, and why, it’s also necessary to look at the ‘how’.
Some people learn better face-to-face in a group setting where there is constant feedback. Others prefer self-study, using online tools where there are minimal distractions. Some can take a full week’s training anytime, while others need to learn in smaller chunks due to time constraints and other work commitments.
It’s important to always consider your training audiences, and ensure that training is geared toward helping them learn to the best of their abilities.
Oracle University offers a variety of training methods to suit these different learning styles. In addition to the standard courses across a full range of products and technologies delivered via ILT, TOD or even LVC, let’s look at two new learning solutions and the competency levels they offer.
To accelerate Oracle Cloud adoption
Oracle Guided Learning is a great way to bring large numbers of employees up to speed – each according to their own knowledge requirements. As a built-in tool sitting directly within the application, it provides training support and guidance on each process step. This means that new users will never get stuck, and ad-hoc users will not need retraining, as the Guided Learning tool walks each user through the necessary task.
Guided Learning is highly suited to millennials and younger workers, whose training needs can be met with short, instant, bite-sized learning rather than completing training where full job role knowledge is required.
Learn- Practice - Prove
Oracle Learning Subscriptions are comprehensive, packaged training solutions for technical specialists, beginner or advanced – and who may require industry certification – providing more in-depth modular, digital training and practice labs.
This complete learning environment; give you 365 days of 24/7 digital access to the most up-to-date learning material, with hands on lab environments to practice and reinforce newly-acquired skills.
The subscription model is affordably priced and provides great learning flexibility – learn when, where and on what you decide – skipping or repeating modules and labs – as you learn or practice.
Industry recognized Oracle certification exams are included too, completing the learning journey where courses and exam objectives are mapped and practice environments, hands on labs and skill checks are available.
For those technology specialists who are working with, or would like to learn more about, multiple Oracle technologies, Oracle offers Unlimited Product Learning Subscriptions. These provide access to all titles - delivering exceptional training value.
