Dive Brief:
- Salesforce revealed Salesforce Learning Paths April 28, an offering that will allow users to integrate learning programs directly into Salesforce.
- Users can tap into Trailhead — Salesforce’s learning platform — as well as external learning sources, such as videos and quizzes, to learn relevant content during the workday, the company said. Training can be personalized to individuals, roles or teams.
- "The past year accelerated the shift to a digital-first world, and the new way of work demands new skills and ways to learn," said Heather Conklin, SVP and GM of Trailhead at Salesforce, in a statement.
Dive Insight:
Before the pandemic hit, employers sought ways to upskill entire workforces, including those that weren’t at desks. New technologies, including mobile-enabled platforms, as well as a new perspective on learning helped; in recent years, employers have moved away from learning as an annual or semi-annual event and instead embraced an "in the flow of work" model, akin to what Salesforce will be offering.
The nature of work also has significantly changed, experts previously told HR Dive. For employers to get their full investment out of a training program, they must recognize that employees are bombarded with more information now than ever. For learning to stick, it has to be applicable immediately.
"Technology, such as [augmented reality], has infiltrated industries from telecommunications to manufacturing," Doug Stephen, president of the learning division of CGS, previously told HR Dive, "and it is only going to become more popular, allowing remote workers even greater flexibility in their jobs."
Skill gaps are a top pandemic challenge for many companies, particularly small businesses, an August report from GetApp revealed. Shifts required by the pandemic changed the kinds of skills required for certain positions, the report said, leading to a new emphasis on training.
