Off-the-Shelf Training: Experience 218% Higher Income

Are you tired of pouring endless resources into expensive, custom training programs but not getting the results you want? You’re not alone. Many companies face the challenge of improving employee performance while keeping training costs under control. 

But what if there’s a smarter way to achieve them both? 

This is where off-the-shelf training means the ready-made programs come in handy. Studies show that companies that embrace off-the-shelf training see a staggering 218% higher income per employee, which also means better productivity. 

Let’s explore how you can adapt this game-changing approach.

What is Off-the-Shelf Training?

Off-the-shelf training refers to pre-designed, ready-to-implement effective training programs that are created by external providers and made available for immediate use. These programs cover a wide range of topics, from technical skills and soft skills to compliance and leadership development. 

The key advantage of off-the-shelf training is that it eliminates the need for organizations to create custom courses from scratch. Moreover, it saves time, money, and effort while providing employees with valuable learning opportunities. 

Unlike custom-made training solutions, which are created specifically according to an organization’s needs, this type of training is a one-size-fits-all solution.

Example: A company can buy an off-the-shelf course on workplace safety, covering topics like hazard identification and emergency procedures. This saves time and money compared to creating a custom training program. 

8 Benefits of Off-the-Shelf Training

When it comes to training your employees, time and money are often in short supply. So, let’s break down how exactly these programs can make a difference. 

1. Speed to Impact

Off-the-shelf training programs are ready to use as soon as you need them. This means no delays while you wait for custom content to be developed. Your employees can start learning immediately, which allows you to address skill gaps and improve performance quickly. 

LinkedIn’s workplace report shows that 73% of talent developers use off-the-shelf (externally created) content to train their employees. This indicates that many companies prefer using this type of training program for their employee training. 

2. Cost-Effective Training

Creating custom training can be expensive, not only in terms of money, but also in the time spent developing content. Off-the-shelf training removes the high upfront cost associated with designing courses from scratch. 

These courses are less expensive than custom-built ones. This means you can allocate your company’s budget to other important areas while providing employees with high-quality training. 

3. Expertise on Demand

These external training programs are developed by experts who know the subject. They are modeled on industry standards and best practices, ensuring employees get the up-to-date and relevant content. It’s like having a top-tier instructor without having to hire one. 

Studies show that 90% of employees don’t quit a job if they get the appropriate development opportunities. This means providing access to the best knowledge out there and empowering them to perform at their best. 

4. Scalability Across Teams

If your company is growing quickly, you need training solutions that can scale with you. And off-the-shelf courses are designed precisely for that. You can roll out training to hundreds, even thousands of employees simultaneously. 

This consistency ensures that everyone is learning the same material, and more importantly, on the same page. Whether your team is in one office or spread across multiple locations, off-the-shelf training ensures that all employees receive the same education quality.

5. Measurable Results and Accountability

With off-the-shelf training, tracking progress is a breeze. Most programs come with built-in reporting tools, making measuring employee performance and progress easier. By tracking completion rates, quiz scores, and overall engagement, you can see what’s working and what needs to be modified.

Companies that use data-driven learning see increased employee knowledge retention. It enables you as an employer to pinpoint specific areas where employees may need extra help and fine-tune your approach. 

6. Flexibility for Employees

Employees love training programs that work around their schedules, and off-the-shelf training provides exactly that. Because of this, employees can access courses at their convenience, whether during work hours or at home. 

This flexibility leads to better participation rates, which, in turn, leads to stronger skill development. Not just that, training programs like these lead to up to 40% higher completion rates, which directly impacts your workforce’s overall performance. 

7. Consistent Employee Development

If you use off-the-shelf courses, you can provide consistent and ongoing development to employees across different roles. No matter what their department is, they can access the same training resources to enhance their skills. 

This consistency helps improve individual performance and strengthens an organization's overall effectiveness. A study found that companies that train interested employees can see a 17% productivity boost and 21% more profit. 

8. Reducing the Risk of Compliance Issues

Compliance training is crucial for many businesses, especially those in regulated industries. Off-the-shelf programs often include up-to-date pre-built compliance training with the latest regulations, reducing the risk of non-compliance. 

These programs save you from the headache of keeping track of ever-changing laws while ensuring your employees are always informed.

Six Potential Limitations of Off-the-Shelf Training and Their Solutions

While off-the-shelf training offers many advantages, it’s essential to be aware of its limitations. It may not always be the perfect fit for every company or situation. Let’s break down some challenges you should consider before diving in. 

1. Lack of Customization

One of the main downsides of an off-the-shelf type of employee training program is that it's designed to meet the expectations of a broad audience, not your specific company. It might not cover niche roles, company-specific processes, or unique challenges your employees face daily. 

However, it’s not the end of the world. You can try blending these training programs with some in-house materials or follow-up sessions to make things more company-specific. This way, you’ll be able to tackle unique issues without starting from scratch. 

2. Limited Engagement

Off-the-shelf training programs can sometimes feel dry or generic. Since these courses are designed for a broad audience, they might not resonate with every employee, making it harder for them to stay engaged and retain information. 

To tackle this situation, encourage your employees to share their thoughts and questions during training. You can also turn it into a discussion rather than a one-way session to keep things interesting and relevant to everyone. 

3. One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Another limitation is their 'one-size-fits-all' model. This means that they may not be suited to every employee’s skill level, and some may even find the material too basic. 

The key to resolving the issue is providing optional advanced modules or supplementary resources for employees needing more challenging content. This way, everyone will be able to move at their own pace. 

4. Minimal Flexibility for Specific Roles

Ready-made training modules struggle to address the deep, specialized knowledge required in certain roles, such as in the tech or healthcare industries. These industries often need training that dives deeper into specific tasks, which off-the-shelf programs lack.

To address this, supplement the training with role-specific workshops or one-on-one sessions to ensure your employees are well-prepared for their specific responsibilities. 

5. Risk of Knowledge Gaps

Since off-the-shelf courses are designed for a broader audience, there is always a risk that they may leave certain knowledge gaps. They might not cover every aspect of your employees' tasks or your company’s unique needs, which means employees might still require additional training down the line. 

A proven way to bridge this gap is by hosting a "training review" session where employees can ask questions, share challenges, and discuss how the material applies to their work.

6. Limited Interaction and Feedback

Studies show that 75% of employees believe feedback is valuable for their growth. However, off-the-shelf training is usually instructor-less, so there’s little room for direct employee feedback or interaction. 

This leaves employees feeling isolated, especially if they need clarification on specific points. If you want the training to work, encourage employees to connect with a mentor or senior team member. It’ll give them a chance to clarify their doubts. 

How to Integrate Off-the-Shelf Training Into Your Organization

Let's walk through the key steps for making off-the-shelf training work for your team. 

1. Assess Your Training Needs

Before you invest in ready-made training modules, it’s important to assess your organization's skills and knowledge gaps. Identify employee strengths and weaknesses and ensure that your training aligns with those needs. 

Conduct a skill audit to pinpoint the key areas where training is required. These could include technical skills, soft skills, compliance, leadership, and more. The best way to do so is to get feedback from team leaders and employees on areas where they need more support. 

2. Select the Right Off-the-Shelf Training Program

Once you’ve identified your training needs, it’s time to choose the right off-the-shelf program. Not all training is created equal, so it's essential to select one that will be relevant and engaging for your team. 

Some crucial points to keep in mind: 

• Look for courses developed by reputable providers with a track record of success.
• Ensure content quality by checking for certifications or endorsements from industry experts.
• Pick a program that covers the specific skills and knowledge you need, but also leaves room for flexibility.

Helpful Tip: Many course instructors offer demos or trial periods—take advantage of these to assess whether the course meets your expectations. 

3. Plan for Easy Access and Implementation

Now that you know where your employees need improvement and have chosen the right training module, it’s time to make the training easy for all employees. If they cannot quickly start the training, it can delay learning and reduce engagement. 

The main points to consider here include: 

• Ensure the training is available on multiple devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones) for optimum accessibility. 
• Choose a platform with proper LMS integration, like Coursebox. 
• Set clear instructions for employees on accessing and completing the training, including deadlines and any required certifications. 

4. Encourage Employee Engagement

It’s not just about rolling out the training—it’s about ensuring employees stay engaged and motivated throughout the process. If employees understand its value, they are more likely to complete and benefit from the training. 

You can do this by communicating the training's benefits upfront, so employees know why it’s crucial. If possible, offer incentives or rewards for completing training (e.g., certificates, recognition in team meetings).

5. Monitor Progress and Gather Feedback

Tracking the training program's success is essential to ensuring its desired impact. By monitoring progress and gathering feedback, you can continuously improve the integration of off-the-shelf training. 

Keep an eye on completion rates and employee progress to identify any issues early on. Review performance metrics such as productivity, skill improvements, and any behavioral changes that align with the training objectives. 

Pro Tip: Once the training is completed, gather feedback using surveys or one-on-one interviews.

6. Reinforce and Apply the Learning

Off-the-shelf training shouldn’t be a one-off experience. To make it truly effective, you must reinforce the learning and help employees apply it in their daily work. To do this: 

• Incorporate the learning into regular meetings and team discussions.
• Create opportunities for employees to demonstrate what they've learned by applying new skills to real-life projects.
• Encourage ongoing learning by offering additional resources, follow-up training, or mentorship.

Create Custom In-House Courses with Coursebox 

Off-the-shelf training can be a fantastic solution for quick and cost-effective learning, but if you're ready to take your training to the next level, it's now more affordable and convenient than ever to create your in-house courses with AI Course Creator.

By using Coursebox, you can generate interactive, engaging courses in minutes without the hefty costs of traditional video production or course design.

So, don’t let your training needs go unmet—embrace the future of learning today! 

FAQs

1. What are off-the-shelf training programs for employees?

Off-the-shelf training refers to pre-designed courses that are ready to be implemented. These programs are created by experts and cover a wide range of topics. They can be quickly deployed without custom development, saving time and resources for companies looking to train their employees. 

2. How do I know if off-the-shelf training is right for my company? 

Off-the-shelf training is great if your company needs standardized training on common skills like compliance, leadership, or technical knowledge. However, if your team requires specialized training for unique roles, consider customizing the program or supplementing it with additional resources. 

3. Is off-the-shelf training more cost-effective than custom training?

Yes, off-the-shelf training is usually more affordable than custom solutions. Since the content is pre-designed and developed for a broad audience, it avoids the high costs of custom content creation. In fact, companies can save significantly compared to creating training in-house. 

4. What happens if employees don’t complete the training?

If employees don’t complete the training, it’s essential to identify the reasons—whether it’s engagement issues, time constraints, or a lack of relevance. Set clear expectations, offer reminders, and ensure the training is accessible and aligned with their role so they are motivated to complete the course.