How to Train Remote Employees? 

Jul 31, 2024

Show of hands… How many of you are reading this from your workplace?

Well, I can tell you that I’m writing this from work. Work just happens to also be at my home.

Like millions of others around the world, I call my desk, my kitchen counter, my sofa, and my bed my workplace. Remote working just works for me. And it works for my employer.

But is remote work for everyone? And does it work for every company?

With a robust training strategy, remote work is effective and suitable for a wide range of roles across many industries. Using the right mix of tools, techniques, and tactics, remote employees can feel just as connected and engaged as working in the office. 

The most important piece of the remote work puzzle: training. 

Let’s cover why and how to train remote employees to set them up for success.

Why train employees remotely?

You may be thinking, “Why not just bring in everyone for group training?”. Sure, you can theoretically get training over with in one shot in a big group. But is it realistic in today’s hybrid workforce?

Remote training offers both employers and employees flexibility. Employees can train on their own time, and employers don’t have to worry about scheduling around shifts, travel, and PTO. For dispersed teams, remote training eliminates the need for travel cost and time, hotels, and room rental.

Investing in a remote training strategy is worth it in the short and long term. Organizations will see better productivity and a more engaged remote staff.

Tools and technology for remote training

The most practical and effective tool for remote training is a digital workplace platform with an integrated Learning Management System (LMS) tailored for remote employees. 

An advanced LMS designed with mobile-first capabilities makes sure that remote workers can access training materials anytime and anywhere. This flexibility allows employees to interact with content at their convenience and in various formats, such as: 

  • Bite-sized courses and microlearning for quick, focused lessons.
  • Interactive modules with quizzes and gamification to enhance engagement.
  • Comprehensive training paths for in-depth skill development that enhance learning retention.

From the organization’s perspective, a comprehensive LMS with advanced tracking capabilities can provide employers with real-time insights into employee progress and performance. This includes monitoring course completion rates, assessing learning engagement, and evaluating skill development. 

Also, detailed analytics help managers identify areas where employees might need additional support and ensure that remote training programs are meeting organizational goals.

Video conferencing and collaboration tools

To complement a digital workplace software, remote employees can work together with their colleagues through video conferencing tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom) and collaborative workspaces (e.g., Miro, Slack, Trello). 

WIth the right mix of digital tools and innovative technology, remote work can be as efficient – or ever more efficient – than traditional in-person work.

Developing a remote training program

Creating a remote training program that really hits the mark involves a few key elements. Building off our generalized employee training plan article, for remote employee training, here’s a simple 5 step rundown of what employers need to consider:

Step 1: Identify training needs 

Start by figuring out what skills or knowledge gaps exist. Based on this, tailor the training to what the remote employee or remote team actually needs to succeed.

Step 2: Set clear objectives 

Next, working together with staff, define what you want the training to achieve. Make sure the goals are specific and measurable so you know when you’ve hit the target.

Step 3: Choose delivery methods 

Decide whether to go with self-paced digital modules, live training sessions, recorded videos, or a mix (recommended!). The choice depends on the specific content, role, and what works best for your team.

Step 4: Create engaging content 

Make your training materials interactive and relevant. The more engaging the content, the better your employees will absorb and apply it.

Step 5: Establish a training schedule 

Plan out when and how often training will happen. Ensure it’s flexible enough to accommodate the different time zones and schedules of your remote employees.

Remote onboarding training for new employees

The start of a new job is always exciting, nerve-racking, and filled with unknowns. This is true for both the employee and the employer. For remote workers, especially if you’ve never met in person, these feelings can be amplified. But with the right onboarding strategy for remote workers, getting up to speed and integrated can be seamless and stress-free.

We’ve covered the essentials of onboarding remote employees in our guide here. To recap, let’s just touch on the main points:

  1. Start early: Start the onboarding process as soon as the candidate accepts the offer to ensure a smooth transition.
  2. Use the right tech: Ensure new hires have the necessary hardware and software set up before their start date.
  3. Optimize communication channels: Define primary communication tools and set clear expectations for their use.
  4. Introduce company culture: Share your company’s mission, values, and culture to help remote employees feel connected.
  5. Assign a mentor or virtual buddy: Pair new hires with a mentor or buddy to guide them through the onboarding process and integrate them into the team.
  6. Create a structured plan: Develop a detailed onboarding plan with checklists, training modules, and milestones.
  7. Set clear goals: Define short-term and long-term goals and track progress to help new hires stay focused and motivated.
  8. Schedule virtual team-building: Organize virtual activities to build team camaraderie and make connections among remote employees.
  9. Promote continuous learning: Offer resources and opportunities for professional development to keep employees engaged and growing.
  10. Gather regular feedback: Collect and act on feedback throughout the onboarding process to improve the experience.
  11. Celebrate milestones: Recognize and celebrate achievements and milestones to boost morale and engagement.
  12. Leverage technology: Use tech tools for seamless communication, project management, and knowledge sharing.

In terms of the types of onboarding training specifically, for remote employees, organizations should use a mix of interactive training tools (video, quizzes, etc.) and structured online learning modules (role-specific training that covers responsibilities, policies, culture, etc.).

With a digital learning platform, you can easily build individual learning paths that contain easily accessible content, including a well-organized knowledge base where new hires can find important documents, tutorials, and FAQs at their own pace.

Best practices and effective training techniques for remote employees

Trends in L&D come and go. Blending best practices from the past with modern techniques, harnessing state-of-the-art tech, and relying on current research on learning will form the most holistic training experience for remote workers. 

We’ve put together a handy reference table covering various techniques, best practices, and benefits of remote training:

TechniqueDescriptionTools
Asynchronous learningWhen possible, use self-paced learning to accommodate different schedules, time zones, and learning styles.
Benefits:
Flexibility in learningAccommodates diverse needs
LMS for on-demand courses
MicrolearningDelivering content in small, digestible chunks enhances retention and engagement.
Benefits:Increased knowledge retentionReduced overwhelm
LMS with microlearning modules
GamificationUse game-like elements to make learning more engaging and motivating.
Benefits:Boosted engagementIncreased motivation
LMS with gamified modules
Interactive quiz tools
Social learningLearning through peer interactions and collaboration makes training inspiring, fun, and engaging.
Benefits:Enhanced understanding through discussion and feedback.
Communication platforms for chats and channels
Collaboration tools and video conferencing for discussion
Real-world scenariosUse videos and interactive learning modules to work through practical, real-life situations to reinforce learning and relevance, and prepare remote staff for specific situations.
Benefits:Improved application of skills Real-world example situations
LMS with interactive modules
Scenario-based training tools
Video conference tools
Consistent communicationMaintain open lines between trainers and trainees to provide support and clarification.
Benefits:Better support and clarityReduce risk of isolation
Workplace communication platforms 
Virtual meeting and video platforms
Digital collaborationUse the right tools and techniques that bring teams together and promote collective problem-solving.
Benefits:
Enhanced teamwork Efficient problem-solving
Collaboration and whiteboard tools for team projects
Interactive elementsQuizzes, polls, and discussions will keep engagement high and test understanding.
Benefits:Increased engagement Active learning.
LMS with built in surveys and quizzes
Regular feedbackManagers and team members should offer constructive feedback with regular check-ins to guide progress and address areas for improvement.
Benefits:Continuous improvementClearer learning paths
Digital workplace software with digital performance reviews, confidential messaging, and feedback forms
Track progress and performanceMonitor how well employees are learning and applying new skills to ensure effectiveness of training courses and compliance to regulations.
Benefits:Insight into effectivenessAbility to adjust training
LMS with training and performance tracking features

Overcoming challenges in remote training

Employee engagement and active participation can be challenging under any circumstances, but the task becomes even more complex with remote employees. Without the ability to read body language and engage in spontaneous interactions, maintaining a sense of connection and involvement requires deliberate effort. 

According to a Gallup survey, remote employees feel lonelier and more disconnected than on-site staff:

  • Fully remote employees: Experience significantly higher levels of loneliness at 25%.
  • On-site employees: Report lower levels of loneliness, at 16%.
  • Hybrid workers: Fall in between, with 21% experiencing loneliness.

Moving forward, using technology combined with proactive remote training strategies will keep remote employees more engaged and connected.

Managing time zone differences is a real concern for teams spread across state, province, or international borders. But when it comes to training, with a digital platform, most remote employees can perform modules at their own pace, when and where they want. With the use of interactive online courses, including video content and self-paced modules, the impact of geographic locations on remote training is reduced significantly.

When IT problems inevitably arise, troubleshooting technical issues with remote workers can be difficult. For connectivity, employers can incentivize their staff to go with the most reliable internet and phone providers in their areas. In the event of an internet outage, there is the possibility to rejoin with the use of a mobile device with 4G or LTE coverage.

In terms of hardware and software problems, making sure that your digital training platform is robust, reliable, and bug-free, as well as accessible from multiple devices.

You may have read that the theory of different learning styles is more or less a myth. That doesn’t mean that learners don’t have preferences. Adapting training to accommodate various learning preferences will engage staff more effectively in training exercises. From interactive learning like quizzes and games, to videos, to more traditional slide-based learning, offering a variety and flexibility will reach more of your staff with more impact.

Remote training for the modern workforce

Remote and hybrid work isn’t going anywhere. If your business wants to stay ahead of the curve, you need to get remote training right from day one. 

Leveraging best-in-class tools and investing in high quality training material and content forms the foundation of a successful training strategy. 

Curious about optimizing your approach? Chat with an iTacit expert today to discover how our digital workplace solutions can transform your remote training experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best practice for managing remote employees?

Managers shifting from traditional in-person teams to remote workers need to be agile, adaptable, and open minded. To be successful, remote and mobile worker managers need to: 

  • Keep in touch: Use regular calls and virtual meetings to stay connected.
  • Boost collaboration: Connect remote workers on projects and arrange meet-ups.
  • Trust your team: Avoid micromanaging. Embrace workers’ autonomy, letting staff work independently.
  • Align with HR: Ensure your style fits company values and promote clear communication.
  • Use tech: Leverage advanced tools for communication and training.

Check out our tips on managing remote employees here.

How can I measure the effectiveness of remote employee training?

Measuring remote employee training effectiveness is the only way to know if remote staff finds the training valuable. With a digital workplace software and integrated LMS, collecting and analyzing data is streamlined and automatic.

  • Set KPIs: What are we looking for with remote employee training? For most organizations, the big three are: engagement, knowledge retention, and performance improvement.
  • Collect feedback: Ask participants what’s working and what’s not. Make use of digital forms and surveys for easy data collection. 
  • Analyze data: Dig into the performance data and find trends, wins, and maybe some room for improvement.
  • Adjust training: Based on the feedback and data, tweak the training modules, delivery, and content as needed.
Comparing In-Person Training vs. Online Training

Comparing In-Person Training vs. Online Training

Employee training programs are no longer a one-horse race. Before the advent of automation, digital workplaces, and hybrid work, learning and development professionals had few options when it came to providing corporate training for employees. When making decisions...

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