When you are looking at switching from a classroom-based training to an online-based training, there are great number of positives. Last month, we went over 10 reasons that online training makes sense, including, online training is cheaper, more agile, and more accessible. However, this doesn’t mean it is for everybody. Today, I’ll go over six things that your staff must have to make your online training successful.

 1. Access

Ensure that your staff will have access to training when they need it. If your staff can’t get to the training, it won’t be any good. This isn’t a huge issue as some training courses can be easily accessed on mobile devices, but this will be something you need to consider. If the training modules are filled with Flash and Adobe elements, your staff’s iPhones may not be able to access the training modules.

2. Motivation

Training is like any other learning experience. Your staff needs to be motivated, or the training will go in one ear and out the other. In a classroom setting, some people feel more impetus to pay attention because a teacher is right in front of them. Online courses require self-motivation to complete and to learn from.

3. Discipline

This goes hand in hand with number 2. In a classroom setting, the teacher sets the pace for learning and makes sure that things get done. With online training modules, the student can be contacted via e-mail to make sure lesson goals are being met, but this may often not be enough. Your staff needs the discipline to be able to start the security training and see it through, and also to do so in a timely manner.

4. Patience

Classrooms have instant feedback. You can tell right away if a question asked is valid or not. Some online training courses involve essays to be completed, and the feedback isn’t likely going to be instant on those. If your staff members have questions and they e-mail you, they need to be aware that there may not be someone on the other end 24/7. You will want to be aware of what level of support your staff will get with questions and how quickly results will be given to students.

5. Time

This seems logical. Your staff members will need time to complete their required aviation security training. However, if they are busy working and don’t have the access or time to complete the training, the training won’t be effective either. Some training courses break things up into short modules that can be taken whenever there is time, but others may be more intensive, requiring up to 10 hours a week. If you don’t provide your employees with the time it takes to get that done, you can’t get upset if it doesn’t get done. However, this can also provide a great level of flexibility, since your employees can potentially train wherever and whenever.

6. Independence

Your employees need to be independent. They should be accountable for their own learning. There is typically support for students, but they have to be independent enough to seek it out on their own.

In the end, you need to know your staff. If they can’t handle the independence and freedom that online training offers, then it may not be a best option for them. You also need to be cognizant of what environment you are setting up for them to complete their training. Are you giving them the right amount of time to get this done? Are you empowering them to learn successfully?

Online training is a wonderful thing. If you can take advantage of it, you will save your company money and give your employees more freedom and flexibility. If you aren’t careful though and don’t do your research on the front end, the results may not be as positive as expected.