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E-learning fails to impress students or trainers

While most companies use e-learning, just 7% regard it as one of the top three most effective training methods, according to a new CIPD survey.

Just half of employees who are offered e-learning take it up, while only 30% are reported as completing their courses. Yet its use continues to rise, as 29% of companies say 25%-50% of all training will be done remotely.

Large companies are more likely to use e-learning, with 79% of organisations with more than 5,000 staff employing the method. This is in contrast to 39% of companies with fewer than 250 employees. Respondents rate it as most effective when combined with other methods, while 92% say it requires a different attitude in the learner.

“E-leaning is here to stay but it’s clear from our survey that it is still not fully appreciated by learners or by training managers,” says Martyn Sloman, learning and development adviser, CIPD. “Businesses need to remember that technology is there to support people management and development strategies, not replace them.”