The Work from Anywhere Movement has exploded in popularity over the last decade. In today's office, remote and hybrid teams are as widespread as printers and water coolers. With Global Workplace Analytics showing a 173 percent increase in the overall number of remote workers since 2005, it's evident that this isn't a passing fad but a permanent reality.

Previously, all employment and development training took place in person. The trainer would have a good sense of each employee's learning style, and as a result, personal ties would grow between those being instructed.

These forms of training and partnerships are increasingly being developed online. Because more and more employees are working remotely, you'll see fewer cars if you glance out your window during rush hour today. This shift to remote training should not be feared, but rather welcomed as an opportunity for company-wide innovation and greater chances for people all around the world.

Remote training can range from simple pre-recorded podcast episodes to more involved live online training. Although the software and tactics differ, the end result is the same. We all benefit when you help remote workers as well as on-site staff.

Examples of software for remote teams training and development

You'll need the right tools whether you're training new hires or providing existing employees with on-the-job product updates. A well-developed training toolkit is essential, therefore here are some of the top workforce training tools firms are employing to train their remote employees across industries.

1.LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

There are learning management systems all over the place. LMSs were once only used in educational settings (a few years ago), but they are now available to anyone who needs to conduct coursework or e-Learning for training.

There will be several choices to make while looking for an LMS that meets all of your remote employee training requirements. Do you want to schedule your training by month or module? Will a team video conference be required for all training sessions? Here's all you need to know about structuring your onboarding or education and selecting the best LMS for your firm.

2. LEARNING EXPERIENCE PLATFORMS

 At first glance, there are more parallels than differences between LMS and LEP - both are learning platforms that track training progress and provide certifications. An LEP, on the other hand, is a whole holistic learning portal, whereas an LMS is made up of a single suite or app.

LEPs are as versatile as remote training gets, mixing the micro features of employee training (e.g., videos, podcasts) with the macro (e.g., eBooks, tiered modules). This flexibility benefits both the company trainer and the remote employee trainee. The company trainer can carefully select training materials so that only necessary steps are completed, and remote employee trainees can train on their own schedule.

3. VIDEO TRAINING TOOLS

Even while LMSs and LEPs are efficient and effective, live encounters are occasionally necessary for your training. This looks a little different with remote employee training than it does with in-house training. You'll be meeting virtually with the help of your video conferencing software and hardware, rather than in a conference room.

The good news is that you can utilise a variety of video and audio conferencing options to keep your remote employee training going without pausing for buffering. The only thing left is to ensure that your remote staff have the greatest video conferencing technology available; here's what we recommend.

4. PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS

Yes, project management tools are most usually utilised as project management tools, but that would limit their potential before they've attained it. Why not utilise the same tools to train remote personnel if you already have the software?

Project management systems can be used by remote employees to track their training progress, evaluate their training, and cooperate on group training sessions. Your preferred project management tool, such as Trello or Asana, is ready to be repurposed to help you with all of your remote employee training needs.

5. COMMUNICATION TOOLS

That's right, there are even more tools to repurpose for teaching! Communication is essential during the remote employee training process. You must keep in touch with your learners, whether through live video conferencing training sessions or built-in communication options in your LMSs or LEPs. The best communication begins with connection, so make sure you've covered all of your bases — platforms like Slack will be your best friend when it comes to distant staff collaboration.

Techniques for educating remote workers

It's time to strategize now that you've chosen your remote staff training software. It's not as straightforward as authoring eBooks, setting a training programme, and emailing your employees to get started with training remote personnel. If you've never trained a remote team before, you might be surprised by the new obstacles you'll face, but don't panic.

We've devised a plan to assist you in overcoming any obstacles that may arise while training your remote staff. Check out our comprehensive leadership guide for more information on how to best manage your remote staff.

1. LEAN INTO PRE-TRAINING PLANNING.

Your training will only be as effective as your preparation enables. By laying out the training procedure for remote employees before they begin their training, you'll be able to troubleshoot issues before they arise. Send the training programme to your remote staff after you've outlined it. Give them time to familiarize themselves with it.

The tone of the pre-training should match the training process's tone, with a focus on big-picture principles and precise instructions saved for the training itself.

2. DEVELOP A CONSISTENT TRAINING SCHEDULE.

Training should not be a one-time event, but rather an ongoing activity that is woven into your remote employees' daily tasks. This training should be updated to reflect current industry trends and advances, and it should be planned on a regular basis so that it becomes a part of your company's weekly routine. When training is a regular part of your remote employees' schedules, they'll be more inclined to prioritise it and approach it with the same zeal as the rest of their work.  

3. DON'T NEGLECT THE IMPORTANCE OF POST-TRAINING. 

Post-training gives remote employees the means to continue their training on their own time, which is just as important as pre-training in terms of setting proper expectations. Training is occasionally rushed or neglected, which is understandable. Perhaps your organisation had an unexpectedly good quarter and employee focus was diverted elsewhere; this is where post-training comes in.

Post-training materials should include instructional resources that assist employees in putting what they learned in training into practise. The goal is to deliver materials that reflect the company's expectations, such as a playbook of desired outcomes that they may refer to.

In today's workplace, remote workers are a vital asset. When you provide them with the greatest training practises available, you're ensuring the success of your entire team.