Survey of corporate training leaders reveals widespread support for informal learning tempered by security and productivity concerns
CHICAGO—While 81% of respondents believe that social media offer valuable learning opportunities for their workforce, lower productivity, security and quality of source were cited as significant concerns, reported The CARA Group, in its recently released study “How Informal Learning Is Transforming the Workplace: A Pulse Survey on Social Media’s Impact on Informal Workplace Learning.”
The survey defined ‘informal learning’ as learning that takes place independently from structured instructor-led classes or course-specific work.
Developed by The CARA Group, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in custom learning and performance solutions for Fortune 500 organizations, the survey posed a range of questions on how informal learning is impacting formal corporate training programs and how organizations are adapting and keeping pace with the current learning landscape.
The themes covered in the survey ranged from what sorts of formats work best for informal learning to social media skepticism, security concerns and adoption hurdles.
Key findings included:
- Informal learning is a vital tool in employee training; 90% of respondents encourage or support it in some way
- According to participants, informal learning is most useful when the format is social and in person rather than individual and isolated from peers
- 81% of respondents feel social media offer valuable learning opportunities for employees
- 98% of respondents agree that social media are changing how employees are learning and accessing information
“The survey findings reveal a tension between social media’s perception as a valuable learning tool and companies’ ability to govern its impact on productivity, security and information verification,” says CARA Senior Vice President Jane Ehrenstrom. “With the millennial generation joining the workforce with a sense that social media tools and technologies are the norm, companies would do well to understand and leverage this trend to their advantage sooner than later.”
The survey report lays out three strategies for companies to keep pace with learning resources and habits to successfully manage, train and cultivate their workforce.
The survey polled 125 corporate learning and training leaders at businesses across the U.S. The top five industries represented by respondents include: Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals/Biotech, Telecommunications, Financial Services and Insurance. Participants came from organizations of all sizes, including small- and mid-sized firms, as well as global enterprises that exceeded more than $40 billion in annual revenue.
For a copy of the report “How Informal Learning Is Transforming the Workplace: A Pulse Survey on Social Media’s Impact on Informal Workplace Learning,” please visit: www.caracorp.com/documents/CARA_SocialMediaImpact_PulseSurveyReport.pdf.
About CARA Group
The CARA Group, Inc. is a consulting firm specializing in custom learning and performance solutions for Fortune 500 organizations. Headquartered in Oak Brook, IL, CARA provides clients with highly qualified consultants who design, develop and implement flexible solutions to meet their training needs. By quickly and cost effectively delivering world-class consulting services, CARA helps clients build programs that directly contribute to an organization’s productivity and growth. Learn more at www.caracorp.com.