Microlearning – What It Is and How to Implement It in the Construction Industry

Intended to provide workers with constant opportunities to learn and train in concise, effective sessions no matter their location or the time of day, microlearning has become a successful tool for educating employees. Microlearning is a concept founded on the idea that workers can be taught project-specific skills with brief training, often on a handheld electronic device. Particularly useful for contractors or laborers in fields that are always changing, microlearning provides a simple way to teach employees different skills designed to help them approach specific projects without affecting a business’s project timeline or budget. This is achieved as workers are taught a trade by watching a short tutorial prior to beginning a project on a worksite, without employers having to invest in significant or expensive training. 

The Benefits of Microlearning 

With microlearning, employees are constantly being trained, while also being in control of what they learn. The skills they learn are relevant to the work they are or will be performing, which often increases employee moral and engagement. Because microlearning aims to improve training, it also inevitably improves a worker’s productivity. Beyond these advantages to microlearning, the training concept also offers variety—employees are able to watch tutorials in a number of ways, from presentations to interactive discussions and games. These short tutorials offer workers more time to focus on the project at hand, which improves accuracy and enhances results. The educational videos are also accessible any time and any place, providing employees the freedom to choose when, where, and how they receive their training.  

Microlearning in the Construction Industry 

In the construction industry, especially when contractors work at different worksites (hence, different regulations, equipment, and management), microlearning can play a crucial role in the development of worker’s skills at a faster rate than standard training methods. This industry experiences continuous updates, affecting how often employees need to receive training or updates to their training. As it is difficult to find the time and resources to educate contractors and remote employees in this field, microlearning creates a solution for this obstacle.  

In addition, microlearning makes training more applicable to the learner; rather than trying to teach an employee every aspect of a business’s worksite, teaching with microlearning allows employers to educate their contractors and staff on just the skills and work that apply to the particular job at hand. When microlearning is implemented, employees are trained faster, retain information better, and work more efficiently. 

The Future of Learning 

With new generations joining the workforce and with the digital world rapidly transforming, businesses, especially those in the construction industry, are adapting to offer inventive, convenient, and appealing learning tactics. Workers will always need to learn and develop their skills; with microlearning, they can do this at their own pace and focus on the training that is most relevant to their work.