Online Courses - How Online Training Benefits Care Sector Workers

In the past, career-specific tuition was split typically between the classroom and the workplace. For further education, students would leave secondary school and sit A-Levels or attend sixth form colleges with vocational centred training. Those seeking higher education would move to universities across the country. Training was always seen as face-to-face - in lecture halls or workshops focused on a degree. Today, with access to online courses becoming easier, more and more school leavers and full-time employees are turning to online teaching.

This article looks at the advantages of online classes and why it works well for those in the care sector.

Whether you are looking to advance in your chosen career, have decided to start a new one, are a university graduate wanting to work in care or are a student that's just finished their GCSEs, online learning has many advantages over traditional learning. Thanks to the development of the internet and high-speed broadband, training no longer needs to be associated with the long commute to training centres or staying away from home during the working week.

Today, some students find they can learn just as much from their own computer, laptop or Apple Mac, at a pace that suits them and encourages personal development. From their own home or from the office, e-learning can offer huge rewards especially when time is an issue.

To help see if online training is suited to you, we've listed some of the biggest benefits of attending classes online with an emphasis on existing or potential care workers.

What are the benefits of online courses for trainees?

Greater course variety

In the past students have been restricted to types of courses due to certain subjects only being available at certain universities, colleges or training centres. Often these would be hundreds of miles away, forcing a long commute or prolonged study periods on campus. Most universities now offer variations of e-learning with the open university leading this field. Specific care-centred courses, such as learning the 15 standards of the Care Certificate (training course), can be accessed online with pathways to more specialist subjects.

Expert tuition and guest lecturers

E-learning allows for the sharing of collective knowledge over greater distances. Providers of online courses can utilise experts that previously would have been inaccessible to a large percentage of the population. Leading experts in subject areas can offer their experience from the other side of the country that students can then review in the comfort of their own homes.

Better work-life balance

Flexible learning empowers employees and candidates to work at a time that suits them. Less time travelling to different locations for training means more time with friends and family, and a greater focus on what is important.

The ability to train anywhere allows staff to improve their work-life balance.

Self-paced learning for busy care workers

Interactive healthcare training in the care sector means that those with busy work schedules can dedicate a portion of their time outside of work to study over a period of weeks rather than miss out due to general duties.

Sense of accomplishment & better job prospects

Learning new skills can be rewarding. Adding to your resume can unlock new opportunities.

Online courses for employers

Gives you greater flexibility with your training

Face-to-face training can be expensive. You are paying for an expert to be on-site for a set period and have to arrange a time and day where staff have cover. Enrolling your staff on an online course allows you to dedicate study time away from duties without worrying about the overall rota. Even better, if your employees wish to study outside of hours, the resources are in place for them to do so.

Cheaper training costs

As online courses are designed for self-paced learning, organisations such as care providers can purchase courses or subscriptions in bulk. There is no cost for travelling, no overnight stays at course centres that are several hundred miles away and no re-arranging staff duties if the staff member or course tutor is ill. Additionally, entire departments can be enrolled on training programs at the same time, often leading to high-volume discounts for e-learning courses.

All course material is in one place

Forget multiple page hand-outs that inevitably end up in a folder on the shelf. With online training, your staff can access a central portal to review modules, tests and workbooks 24/7. One-to-one tuition may offer a personal touch but it doesn't make it easy to review topics your employees may struggle with or need additional time to study. E-learning, puts the employee in control, meaning they can move at a pace that suits them rather than the trainer.

Up-to-date, relevant information

The care sector is an ever-changing environment. New legislation or changes to existing requirements often means staff need to revisit courses. Online learning allows employees to see updated information in real-time rather than wait for a work-based refresher course. Take a look at our Learning Methods to find out how you or your staff can maximise your training capabilities.

An annual subscription to a distance learning care course for your workers is far cheaper than perpetual visits from a specialist trainer at dates that, ultimately, suit them. For more information about e-learning and the online training that we provide, at Flexebee, go to our Main Courses page.