Industry News
Online Training Becomes More Accepted
According to a 2005 survey conducted by the American Society for Training and Development
(ASTD), 29 percent of all corporate tuition reimbursement goes to online or blended
programs. Nearly 60 percent of the 151 learning executives surveyed expected the
role of online higher education to increase in their organizations over the next
two or three years.
That prediction is coming true as companies such as Lockheed Martin Corporation
(LMC) increase their use of online training. With over 140,000 employees located
in over 50 countries, LMC understands the need to provide university-level training
on a global scale.
"With employees dispersed around the globe," said Vernon Ross, deputy director of
learning and development for Lockheed, "LMC believes that online learning offers
a world of possibilities and promises to aid in the delivery of critical, strategic
training to ensure that as an organization, we are well positioned to compete in
the global marketplace with highly skilled employees."
Other companies like Subaru of America (SOA) agree. "We encourage our employees
interested in furthering their education to consider enrolling in an online course
or degree program," said Dan Dalton, vice president for human resources at SOA.
"We've found that the online option affords them the convenience and flexibility
needed to manage both their work and family responsibilities.
Employers are quickly changing their attitudes about online learning with more and
more using online learning as a way to develop and promote workers. United Health
Service, for example, is a comprehensive health care system offering health care
to 600,000 residents. They are piloting a Performance Practice Model (PPM) for nurses.
This online program provides training on quality patient care and offers nurses
the tools they need to reach their career goals at their own pace.
Programs include critical thinking skills, BSN and MSN preparedness, and clinical
and certification competencies. "Online degree programs offer our nurses the tools
they need to help them reach their career goals at their own pace while developing
skills that benefit our patients and the quality of care we provide to them," said
Penny Helsel, manager for organizational Development at Universal Health Services.
"Our research found that a majority of employers – more than 62 percent – have a
favorable attitude toward online instruction, viewing the value of online learning
as being equal to or greater than that of face-to-face instruction," said Richard
Garrett, senior analyst at Eduventures, Inc. "We know that many online students
are employer-supported, funding their studies either in-part or in-full through
tuition assistance programs."
Joliet Junior College offers a variety of online learning opportunities for workers
who want to improve their skills and employers who want to develop their employees.
"We have a variety of workforce training programs in such areas as forensic computer
examiner, purchasing, interior design, technical writing, and much more," said Mike
Sillar, seminar coordinator for Joliet Junior College's Corporate and Community
Services division.
"We also have complete programs such as medical billing and coding designed to prepare
learners for entry-level jobs in the medical coding field," said Sillar. "More courses
are being added."
To read more about this trend, visit the following two stories:
http://www.dltoday.net/viewart.php?pk=44
For single moms, visit the following:
http://www.dltoday.net/viewart.php?pk=39
To learn more about online classes at Joliet Junior College, call Mike Sillar at
(815) 280-1423, or e-mail msillar@jjc.edu.
Back to Industry News