Video has fast become the preferred media for learning. Reports show that 51 percent of YouTube users head to the platform to figure out how to perform new tasks. What’s more, the vast majority of people watch at least one instructional video per week. It’s no wonder, then, that videos have also become a key feature in employee training. But things have moved on from the generic VHS compliance tapes of the past. These days, employers are making the effort to create training videos that are engaging and informative for their staff.Â
But what are some of the benefits of using training videos with your employees? Keep reading to find out!
1. Rich and Engaging Visual Content
When compared to the dry employee handbooks of the past, it’s obvious that videos are far more interactive and engaging. This is especially helpful when dealing with less than enthralling subjects such as compliance.Â
Although it’s common knowledge that pictures are easier to recall than words, videos take things one step further. Videos offer rich visual context, blending several modes of communication into a single format. Videos also allow staff to see the “how” of performing a task before having to try it on their own. As a result, they often feel more prepared than after having read a lengthy text description.Â
Training videos are also more engaging than in-person presentations. This is thanks to the combination of up-close visuals and a steady stream of clear and uninterrupted audio. Some videos even offer employees the chance to interact with the content via refresher tests, adding to their appeal.Â
2. Customized Yet Consistent TrainingÂ
Videos allow you to train all employees the same way with the exact same information. This makes discrepancies or possible accusations of favoritism less likely. And, this consistency also means that your employees will be on the same page, reducing the likelihood of future mistakes and issues.Â
Such consistency is especially important when making HR training videos relating to sensitive employee education topics such as diversity or workplace harassment. But, there’s no need to dole out generic advice or platitudes. The beauty of making your own training videos is that you can customize them to your workplace.Â
It might seem daunting at first. But, as you’ll see if you look here, new technologies mean that it’s easier than ever to create YouTube-style tutorials. Using these same concepts, you can tailor your training videos to specific workplace topics and products.
3. Increased Potential to Train On-Demand
Compared to in-person employee training, videos are much easier and more convenient when it comes to accessing and sharing content. Especially when more employees are working from home, following a flexible schedule, or spending a lot of their in-office time in meetings.Â
Once you have the employee training video ready to go, you can upload it to a website or email it out to everyone at a specific time. Employees can then access at their own convenience via their computer or smartphone. Depending on the material, they may even find it useful to re-watch the video for further clarification. In this sense, videos offer a whole new level of on-demand training and employee education.Â
What’s more, there’s no need to schedule new in-person training sessions every time you take on a new recruit. Instead, all you need to do is send them the necessary training videos, streamlining the employee onboarding process no end.Â
4. Measurable Training MetricsÂ
Handing your new recruit a binder full of employee onboarding material to read and sign doesn’t guarantee that they’ll read it or understand it. Likewise, there’s no way of knowing whether your employees have grasped what they hear in a large group training session. They might have even missed an important piece of information and felt uncomfortable asking the trainer to repeat themselves. Â
Videos can help you with these common employee training problems. Your video hosting provider will give you access to information such as the number of views, whether employees have watched the video all the way through, and when your employees accessed it. Through this data, it’ll be a lot easier to track and measure interaction with your training material, as well as its efficacy.
5. More Cost-Effective Than In-Person TrainingÂ
Another reason for making employee training videos is that they are far more cost-effective than in-person sessions. In fact, with so many people working from home during the pandemic, remote training via video gained precedence, with 28 percent of companies reporting that their training budget had decreased as a result of this shift.Â
A great deal of time and resources go into arranging and providing instructor-based training programs, while travel costs and other expenses make this method of training far from viable. Also, the potential loss in productivity of insisting on your employees getting together at the same time can be significant.
If catch-up sessions are necessary due to poor attendance or taking on new recruits, you’ll have to dip into your training budget again. In contrast, you’ll only have to pay to make a training video once and can then send it out as many times as you wish to people who can then watch it as many times as they wish.Â
Convincing Reasons to Create Training Videos for Your Employees
With all these convincing benefits, it’s no wonder that so many employers are choosing to create training videos for their staff.Â
Employee education videos offer an engaging, cost-effective, and consistent way to share information. Plus, employees old and new can access these videos whenever they want.
Looking for more informative advice and how-to guides? Be sure to check out our other blog posts for all the latest tips and tricks!
