2024 Trends in Customer Training Content

Effective customer training is no longer a luxury—it’s a critical investment. Imagine a new customer using your enterprise inventory management platform for the first time. They might struggle with key features without proper training, eventually leading to a negative perception of your product. This is just one example of how inadequate customer training can manifest problems like limited product adoption, support overload, and increased churn.

This article explores the top trends shaping the future of customer training in 2024, focusing on diverse areas, from personalized learning experiences to data-driven course content creation. By embracing these trends, learning and development (L&D) and customer program managers can develop practical training that keeps customers happy and empowered to get the most out of your product.

Trend 1: Personalized learning experiences

Customer training is moving away from generic programs towards personalized learning experiences. Several factors fuel this shift. First, learners are a diverse group with varying levels of knowledge, learning styles, and preferred learning paces. A one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t resonate anymore.

Second, technology allows us to tailor content delivery and difficulty based on individual performance. This data-driven approach ensures that learners focus on areas for improvement, which helps them maximize their learning efficiency.

Learning Management Systems (LMS) are at the forefront of this trend by tailoring content and assessments to individual learners’ needs and progress. For example, adaptive learning paths adjust content difficulty based on performance, while smart recommendations suggest relevant modules based on knowledge gaps.

Trend 2: Microlearning and bite-sized content

Lengthy training programs are giving way to the rise of bite-sized content. Our short attention spans and the need for digestible information drive this trend. Research supports the effectiveness of microlearning. The 2022 study Evidence of the Spacing Effect and Influences on Perceptions of Learning and Science Curricula shows that learning in short bursts over time (known as the spacing effect) really sticks. It’s a big win over last-minute cramming, boosting our ability to remember the concepts for the long haul.

Microlearning improves retention by delivering content in small, focused chunks that the brain can easily digest. Instead of carving out large blocks of time, learners can engage with material in short intervals on demand throughout their day, making learning more manageable.

Trend 3: Interactive learning

Customer training is no longer a passive experience. Learners today crave engagement, and interactive elements are essential to successful training programs. This trend is fueled by a desire to make learning more dynamic and enjoyable, leading to better knowledge retention.

Interactive elements can take many forms, all designed to encourage active participation. Discussion boards, collaborative projects, gamification features, and live Q&A sessions are just a few examples. Skilljar understands the power of interactive learning and offers several features to support this trend. Learners can participate in discussion forums to ask questions, share insights, and engage with peers.

Plus, for a more gamified experience, Skilljar offers features like leaderboards and badges, which can motivate learners to compete and strive for mastery.

Trend 4: Emphasis on soft skills training

While technical expertise remains important, 2024 will see a surge in the importance of soft skills training. Traditionally, customer training focused heavily on teaching users the “how-to” of a product—the nuts and bolts of features and functionalities. However, the modern workforce demands more.

Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving—all hallmarks of strong, soft skills—are crucial for navigating complex projects and fostering positive working relationships. According to the State of Skills-Based Hiring 2023 report, 91% of employers stated that soft skills matter more now than they did five years ago. This is especially true in remote work, where clear communication and collaboration are vital for success.

Trend 5: Community-driven learning and social features

Another major trend in 2024 is the emphasis on community-driven learning and social features within LMS platforms. This moves beyond traditional, isolated learning experiences and fosters a collaborative environment where users can learn from each other.

Learners today seek a more engaging experience than just static content. Social features and forums provide opportunities to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from peers. Online learning communities create a sense of connection. Learners can support and motivate each other, making learning more enjoyable and productive.

Getting stuck? Someone in the community might be able to help in real time.

Skilljar offers robust features designed to build a collaborative learning environment. For example, Skilljar integrates discussion forums where learners can connect, ask questions, share best practices, and troubleshoot challenges (this is done through Disqus). This encourages peer-to-peer learning and allows users to learn from each other’s experiences.

Trend 6: Accessibility and inclusive design

Everyone deserves the chance to learn. Accessible learning materials and immersive learning experiences ensure that people with disabilities can access the training they need to succeed.

At Skilljar, we believe learning should be for everyone. That’s why we take several steps to ensure both our learning platform and the content you create are designed inclusively:

• Following accessibility standards: All our new features are built to meet the WCAG 2.2 AA standards. These international guidelines define how to make web content accessible to people with disabilities. Think of it like a set of instructions for creating user-friendly content.
• Constant improvement: We regularly assess our platform for accessibility issues and address any problems. This ensures that Skilljar stays up-to-date with the latest accessibility practices.
• Clear navigation: We design our platform with clear and easy-to-use navigation. This includes ensuring proper color contrast for all elements—think high-contrast text against a light background—so everyone can see what they need to do.
• Accessible features: We build accessibility right into the platform. For example, all buttons have the appropriate technical tags that screen readers can understand. This allows users with visual impairments to navigate the platform using assistive technologies.

Trend 7: Continuous learning and content updates

The way we learn is evolving, and customer training content needs to adapt along with it. Another major trend in 2024 is the shift towards continuous learning models. This means ditching the static training manual approach and embracing a system where content is regularly refreshed.

Skilljar goes beyond basic functionality to empower content creators with tools explicitly designed for continuous learning. At the heart of this is Skilljar’s intuitive interface. Updating content is easy and less technical, allowing for seamless edits and additions directly within the platform. Whether you need to revise outdated information, add new features to a module, or completely revamp a section, Skilljar makes the process hassle-free.

Plus, Skilljar simplifies the delivery of your newly updated content. The platform automatically deploys the latest version to your learners, guaranteeing everyone access to the most current information. This eliminates the need for manual updates on your end and ensures a consistent customer learning experience.

Trend 8: Analytics and data-driven insights

The last important trend we’ll continue seeing in 2024 is the focus on analytics and data-driven insights in LMS platforms. These analytics go beyond basic tracking and provide valuable insights into user engagement, training effectiveness, and areas for improvement.

Analytics allow you to see how learners interact with the training content. You can measure completion rates, time spent on specific modules, and user activity, which helps you identify areas where learners might need help or lose interest.

Skilljar empowers you to leverage the power of analytics with robust built-in capabilities. Our analytics overview dashboard provides a one-stop shop for key training metrics, all presented clearly and easily. Here’s what you can see in Skilljar’s analytics overview:

• Engagement metrics: Track average session time, the number of users returning to specific modules, and overall user activity within your training programs.
• Learner progress: You can view source completion rates, see how many new students enroll, and track the number of certificates awarded.
• Revenue tracking: If applicable, monitor revenue generated (in all applicable currencies) through your training programs.
• Filter and analyze: Skilljar allows you to filter your results by specific domains and user groups and add date ranges. This lets you analyze performance for training programs and user segments or compare results over time.

Skilljar can support your customer training needs

In 2024, a focus on personalized learning experiences, microlearning, soft skills development, and community-driven learning is taking center stage.

At Skilljar, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of these trends.

Our platform is designed to deliver effective and accessible training solutions that cater to the evolving needs of learners. With Skilljar, you can create dynamic learning experiences, empower continuous skill development, and build a thriving community around your training programs.

Get a Skilljar demo to learn how our solutions can improve your training efforts.