Updated: March 13, 2024
Allow me to briefly introduce myself: I am Ralf, Head of Department in the Research and Development division at QualiTech AG. We are a medium-sized company in the automotive supply industry. Founded 34 years ago, the company quickly developed into a significant partner for a large number of both national and international customers.
It is clear that in our industry, ISO 9001 certification is an absolute standard in the short or long term. After all, we have our processes under control and quality management is one of the most important components in our industry. However, I would not have thought before taking up my position about 10 years ago that such a certification would involve so many challenges for a department head. As you can imagine, I am often at the center of the challenges and opportunities that employee training brings. One of the biggest challenges in recent years has been preparing for regular audits by authorities such as TÜV. In the past, middle management was often under enormous pressure because the qualification levels of employees were often updated in laborious manual work in Excel spreadsheets. In this dynamic environment, SWISSTEACH, a LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROVIDER, specializing in digital learning management solutions in employee training, came to our rescue.
Now I can say with permission: The qualification levels of my employees no longer give me a headache when it comes to providing information during audits. And that’s damn good news!
HORST’S SKEPTICISM TOWARDS FURTHER EDUCATION WITH E-LEARNING
But let’s start from the beginning. Anyone who has ever introduced e-learning in a rather conservative company knows that the “first steps on the e-learning path” can be bumpy. As Head of Department in Research and Development at QualiTech, I faced the challenge of convincing Horst, one of my most experienced employees, of the advantages of e-learning for employee training.
Horst, who has worked in our company for a quarter of a century, represented a generation of employees who were more open to traditional learning methods. His skepticism was multifaceted and deeply rooted. He expressed concerns about the effectiveness of digital learning in employee training, fearing that the screen could never replace the interactive and dynamic environment of a classroom. In addition, he was concerned that the value of personal contact and exchange, which he so appreciated, could be lost. Horst was not alone in his concerns; they reflected a broader uncertainty within the team regarding DIGITAL EMPLOYEE TRAINING, which had to be overcome.
COLLABORATION WITH SWISSTEACH IN EMPLOYEE TRAINING
To meet these challenges, we sought the expertise of SWISSTEACH, our E-LEARNING AGENCY, which has been providing us with advice and support for almost 10 years. Our partnership began with developing a program that not only addressed the technical needs of our team, but also took into account the human side of learning. We worked closely with SWISSTEACH to design a learning path, including for Horst, that took into account his personal reservations and learning preferences in employee training. This approach enabled us to create a highly personalized learning experience that gradually allowed Horst to overcome his skepticism towards digital learning methods. By taking his concerns seriously and addressing them, we were able to build a bridge that ultimately encouraged Horst to embrace e-learning.
HORST’S TRANSFORMATION IN EMPLOYEE TRAINING
The change that took place in Horst in the following months was impressive. He began to recognize and appreciate the numerous advantages of e-learning in employee training: flexible learning, the ability to process content at his own pace, the wide range of available resources that enriched his learning process, and the ability to apply the newly acquired knowledge directly in his daily work. Particularly significant for Horst were the regular monitoring of his progress and the constructive feedback he received. These elements of the e-learning program helped him to visualize his own progress in employee training and to feel continuously motivated and engaged. The initial skepticism gradually transformed into a genuine enthusiasm for digital learning.
Above all, the Learning Management System (LMS) GLOBAL TEACH® provided by SWISSTEACH had already won Horst over after a short time. A large part of his skepticism probably stemmed from the fact that he feared being left behind when using new technologies. Since
The introduction of E-LEARNING in personnel training & further education and the personal development that Horst went through had a profound impact on our entire team. When we faced the ISO 9001 audits, we were better prepared than ever before with regard to the qualifications of our employees after the introduction of Learning Management. In addition, the efficiency and effectiveness of our further training measures had improved dramatically, not least thanks to Horst’s transformation and his new role as an advocate of e-learning. His story served as an inspiration for the entire team and motivated other employees to open up to new learning methods in employee training. Through Horst’s example, we were able to foster a culture of continuous learning and openness to change, which will be crucial for mastering future challenges.
Horst’s journey with e-learning in employee training at QualiTech, supported by SWISSTEACH, is not just a success story of an individual employee. It symbolizes the transformation of our corporate culture towards a learning culture that promotes openness, flexibility and continuous improvement. In the face of the challenges posed by audits, we have learned that the right tools and partners are crucial to empower our teams and secure our long-term corporate success. Horst’s development is a living example of how e-learning can transform not only individual careers, but entire companies with efficient employee training.