Jaluch Limited

Advisors at Jaluch say firms are increasingly moving away from conventional forms of staff training in favour of a more rounded approach, which can combine mentoring, e-learning, coaching and classroom-style teaching.

Elisabeth Fitch, Director at UK-based Jaluch, said: “The economic downturn means many staff quotas have been reduced to their minimum, bringing a need for effective training to increase the skills base and efficiency of remaining employees.

“Whilst traditionally companies have opted for one form of training, such as e-learning, or another, such as classroom-based teaching; since the recession many are switching on to the benefits of a more holistic approach.”

Jaluch has expanded its blended learning offering to meet the increased demand, with a wide-ranging programme that can be tailored to suit companies’ individual needs.

Elisabeth added: “Blended learning steps away from training as a one-off event and makes it an ongoing, comprehensive process. Different personality types respond well to different forms of training so a combined programme of teaching styles benefits everyone and reinforces key messages.

“Many companies cover a wide geographical area – blended learning gives consistency of training to staff throughout the organisation and can reduce the need for training days away from the office, which in turn saves money.”

Blended learning, also known as mobile learning, hybrid training or mixed learning, was launched 15 years ago but, until now, companies have largely veered towards either classroom-based or internet training. Jaluch predicts its popularity will soar in 2010.

A typical blended learning programme can consist of classroom style training, face to face or telephone coaching, mentoring either on or offline, e-learning, self development (personal research by the trainee), virtual classrooms, podcasts and webinars (web-based seminars) and podcasts.