How to Get Employees to Participate in Learning Benefits

1. Over-independence 

Some employees do not want to be forced to participate in learning. They’d rather learn naturally and join in when they are ready to. Respecting employees and honoring their independence can help avoid this issue. 

2. Negative Perceptions

Employees may have had a negative experience in the past with an instructor or some other form of learning. They may not bereave they are learning capable. They may just hate memorizing facts and taking tests. 

3. Distractions

There are many adults who find it difficult to stay focused on learning efforts, and even more who have trouble finding time in between work tasks and other personal demands. Learning needs to be very flexible.  

4. Resistance to Change

Change is not always something that all employees embrace. In fact, many resist anything that’s new. This can come from past experiences that went poor, or just the way a person is built. Adults can become comfortable and avoid making changes. 

5. Selective Filters

Human beings generally only pay attention to things that they find stimulating. The may filter other things out. If the learning material is boring or irrelevant to their career, they are less likely to participate. 

6. Unclear Motivation

If an employee cannot answer the “why” behind the learning, they are less likely to be interested in it. After all, it takes effort to participate. Training is best presented as a way to solve a problem or satisfy the needs of learners. This is information that needs to be clear from the start and easy to apply to the work experience. 

7. Participatory Fear

Adults may experience anxiety over being involved in a social situation of learning with others. They may fear being judged or not being as smart as their peers. This barrier is a very real problem that instructors need to be mindful of. 

8. Established Preferences

Each learner has their own style and preference for learning, which is what comes natural to them. They may resist other types of learning because they know this. For example, they may prefer visual earning as opposed to audio lessons. 

9. Fear of Failure 

Nearly all people worry about failing at some time in their lives, but the fear becomes more real when faced with performing at work—in front of their peers. They may have testing anxiety as well, making it difficult for them to focus on learning instead of the assessment phase.

SOURCE:thebalancecareers.com