Importance of e-Learning in Automotive Industry
Published on : Tuesday 01-09-2020
Learning is part and parcel of growth it cannot be stopped so long as businesses have desires to survive and grow, asserts Deepshikha Kumar.
With an average annual turnover of USD 2.75 trillion, the world automobile industry is one of the most significant contributors to global GDP. The industry is also known for creating massive employment opportunities and facilitating road transport. For decades, the automotive industry is considered as a cradle of technological as well as operational innovations, and the majority of players in this sector take regular initiatives to up-skill and re-skill their employees. As technology always paves a golden path for development, the onset of e-learning has proved that it is a boon for the industry.
Towards a smooth track
The automobile industry has gone through rapid developments in the last two decades, be it the introduction of the electronic gearbox system or mass production of electric vehicles, every change brings along new opportunities as well as challenges. To train their employees about new products and procedures and raising their productivity, auto companies regularly organise customised training programmes. While conducting such training programmes, management often comes across two big challenges. These are ensuring the availability of a huge workforce in various geographical locations for a scheduled session and choosing programmes that may cater to the needs of employees from different departments. But, when the automobile companies switched to e-learning, these problems get easily resolved.
Now, using e-learning training modules, employees in any part of the world can access to bespoke training programmes tailored by industry experts and that too without any time limitation. Sometimes lack of proficiency in a particular language may cause hindrance in learners’ understanding, but e-learning platforms which provide curated content in multiple languages have also removed this barrier very effectively. As far as the cost-cutting is
concerned, e-learning is effective in this direction, too. Unlike exorbitant conventions which incur a hefty cost in terms of thought leaders’ fee, location expenses, and a large amount on logistics, e-learning is absolutely frugal.
Benefits of multiple lanes
E-learning training programmes are useful in developing both hard and soft skills among employees. Detailed and interactive videos by the seasoned trainers can be replayed n number of time by an individual to derive maximum from a course module. Besides, s/he has the option to choose more than one online coach or subject matter expert. The content can be further customised to topics of business relevance depending on an organisation’s
requirements. Moreover, with the unprecedented developments in region-specific virtual training programmes, the industry is receiving immense benefits of localised content in vernacular languages. Now, apart from OEMs, ancillaries and retailers are also training the workforce as per their specific needs and that too in their preferred languages. Hence, locally hired employees in showrooms and dealership networks are not facing any constraints while re-skilling/up-skilling themselves.
Safe to turn
After the outbreak of Coronavirus, not only the automobile sector but the entire world economy got afflicted with the lockdown. As businesses cannot be shut for a long, work from home emerges as the new norm. The pandemic is not yet over, in one part of the world or the other, lockdowns will continue to halt the industries in the near future. Amidst these uncertainties and challenges, companies will compel to adopt the work from home culture. As learning is part and parcel of growth and it cannot be stopped so long as businesses have desire to survive and grow, e-learning will rise as true saviour.
Learning from test drive
An effective training programme is one which leaves a desirable impact on trainees and improves their performance. So, assessment always plays a pivotal role while gauging the outcome of training. E-learning training modules work better in this aspect, too. Empowered with great analytical tools, algorithms, and artificial intelligence (AI), measuring the performance of a training programme is much easier in the case of e-learning. Moreover, based on efficacious feedback, desirable changes can be incorporated in future programmes. Hence, flexibility and customisation make e-learning unmatched in business and corporate training.
Heading into smart age
The pace at which the automotive industry is approaching towards smart and driver-less vehicle foretells that the future is going to be immensely dynamic and tech-driven. Hereby, employees of the automobile companies must have to cope with the change with gradual knowledge and skill development. Smart vehicles will be made by smart people and for smart training, e-learning modules will be the smartest choice for employers and employees.
Deepshikha Kumar, Founder & CEO of SpeakIn, is a TEDx speaker. An author and avid guide on building excellence in speech, Deepshikha recently finished her first book titled 101 Lessons to be a Damn Good Speaker! – the official SpeakIn guide to becoming a five-star speaker – most relevant for professional and aspiring speakers alike. With the core philosophy to create a large yet highly-curated network, Deepshikha works non-stop with speakers and industry experts globally to inspire, motivate and channelise people.
