Imagine a world where every employee is empowered to learn and grow on their own terms. A world where custom elearning has revolutionized the way we think about personal and professional development. In that world, should employees be expected to use custom elearning to upskill on their own time? Let’s explore the pros and cons of this idea.

Before diving into the debate, it’s essential to understand what custom elearning is and how it benefits both employees and organizations. Custom elearning refers to personalized, online, and often interactive learning experiences tailored to an individual’s needs, goals, and preferences. This form of learning allows employees to acquire new skills and knowledge at their own pace, while organizations can quickly adapt to ever-changing industry trends and demands.

The Case for Upskilling on Personal Time

Many L&D professionals argue that encouraging employees to upskill on their own time can lead to increased job satisfaction, higher productivity, and a more competitive workforce. As one industry expert puts it, “When employees invest in their own growth and development, they become more engaged and motivated, ultimately benefiting both themselves and the organization.”

Moreover, upskilling on personal time can help employees stay ahead of the curve in their respective fields, potentially opening up new career opportunities and improving their job security. It also fosters a culture of continuous learning and personal improvement, which can attract top talent and encourage long-term employee retention.

The Case Against Upskilling on Personal Time

While there are undoubtedly benefits to employees taking charge of their own development, some argue that the responsibility of upskilling should lie with the employer. These experts believe that expecting employees to upskill on their own time can lead to burnout, low morale, and decreased job satisfaction.

One L&D professional explains, “In today’s fast-paced world, employees are already under immense pressure to perform and stay competitive. Adding the expectation to upskill on their own time may create an unsustainable work-life balance and negatively impact an employee’s overall well-being.”

Furthermore, employers may miss out on valuable opportunities to upskill their workforce if they rely solely on employees’ individual efforts. By investing in formal training and development programs, employers can ensure that all employees receive the necessary resources and support to grow and succeed in their roles.

Finding the Right Balance

Ultimately, finding the right balance between personal and employer-driven development is key. Employees should be encouraged to take ownership of their learning journey but provided with ample support and resources from their organization.

Organizations can foster a culture of learning by offering various training options, including custom elearning, and allowing employees to choose the path that best suits their needs and preferences. Employers should also consider offering incentives and support, such as dedicated learning hours, learning stipends, or reimbursements for courses and certifications.

Enter Learnexus

At Learnexus, we understand the importance of empowering employees to upskill and grow both professionally and personally. Our freelancer marketplace for Learning & Development enables managers at companies to quickly and easily find and hire freelancers with highly specific skills and experience. By offering a 47% cost saving and saving managers time and eliminating procurement issues with a single master services agreement, Learnexus is revolutionizing the way Fortune 500 employees access custom elearning solutions.