Advantages and Disadvantages of Remote Online, Virtual and In-House Project Management Training

Advantages and Disadvantages Project Management Training types

With the evolution of training course learning over the years, we recognise that there is a difference between online learning and in-person learning.

In this article, we uncover the advantages of remote, virtual and in-house project management courses to help you decide what’s best for you and your  business.

The advancement of technology means it’s easier than ever to advance your skills. Log onto our website and you will see a variety of training options – face-to-face courses and virtual courses incorporating interaction directly with a trainer each day, self-paced online study through the PM Channel, and the Level 4 Associate Project Manager apprenticeship, providing 13 months of professional development that is funded through the Government Levy – all offering some of the best project management training in the UK and the opportunity to achieve professional qualifications. So, what are the pros and cons of the different methods of project management training? 

Online Remote Learning

Advantages

Increased Flexibility

Online learning gives delegates the opportunity to study at a time that’s right for them. When you’re juggling a full-time career with family life, making sure your project management course is flexible should be a top consideration. With the option to fit online learning around your existing schedule, the enhanced flexibility associated with online training is a big draw.

Faster Qualification

Whether you’re studying for an APM qualification, or any other in the range, being able to study at your own pace can accelerate the qualification process. This allows learners to implement their new skills more quickly and ensures businesses benefit from upskilled staff more swiftly. 

Reduced Costs

Online learning is typically more cost-effective than face-to-face courses, which makes it easier for companies to invest in their workforce. Furthermore, employees aren’t required to travel to a specific location, which further reduces costs and makes staff development more accessible. 

Disadvantages

Requires Self-Motivation

When students are studying via our online courses (with options including PFQ, PMQ, Risk Level 1 and 2, PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner (6th Edition)), it’s vital that they’re able to motivate themselves. While being able to study at your own pace is advantageous, it does mean that learners need to find ways to stay on track, which can be tricky when existing responsibilities exceed expectations.

Reduced Student Interaction

Remote learning reduces the interaction with their in-person counterparts. For some, this may be a drawback, particularly for ‘social learners’ who benefit from sharing and discussing the information they’ve gained.

In-House Training

Face-to-face courses have their own benefits and disadvantages, which can be further enhanced through ‘in-house’ training. Instead of requiring delegates to attend an external location and pay their accommodation costs, in-house training enables workers to partake in courses in their usual working environment. For many businesses, this represents the preferred form of project management training. Find out why:

Advantages

Bespoke Course Content

If you choose, in-house training programmes can be delivered in a standard format or tailored around your company’s specific needs. By delivering bespoke course content, you can train your staff using relatable scenarios and information familiar to them to assist the participants in applying the skills learned into the working environment.

Higher Attendance

Hosting in-house courses can maximise attendance rates and encourage more delegates to enrol. When participants aren’t required to travel extensively, it’s naturally easier for them to take part in development training.

Team Building

When students are gathered in one location, they have the opportunity to learn together and discuss the new knowledge and skills they have developed. This can strengthen team bonds and help to create a cohesive workforce that operates more effectively as a unit. Some companies even integrate in-house training with additional social events to generate enhanced team building benefits. 

Fast Results

Many in-house courses take place over a limited time. Two or five-day courses are popular as they allow students to learn new skills quickly and ensure that their usual role is subject to minimal disruption. With a fast learning pace, results can be obtained quickly and newly qualified participants can start putting their newfound knowledge to good use. 

Disadvantages

Limited Class Numbers

If students are learning in a face-to-face, in-house environment, there are inevitable limits on how many delegates can be catered for at one time. In larger companies, this may mean that multiple APM courses need to be hosted to ensure that every student can fully participate. 

Staff Availability

When you want to train staff in-house, it’s vital to ensure their availability in advance. If one member of staff is on holiday, for example, you can end up with a critical member of your team not being able to participate in the learning experience. Due to this, it’s important to align department diaries so that all participants are available for training sessions. 

Operational Impact

In-house training certainly has many benefits, but you will need to make sure that your business can operate effectively while the course is taking place. After all, if 80% of your staff are taking part in training sessions, who will be left to run your organisation and deal with the day-to-day tasks that need to be completed? Multiple, staggered courses can be one way to overcome this issue, but contingency planning should be in place so that students can fully immerse themselves in the learning experience. 

Limited Reflection Time

Although the speed at which in-house courses can be delivered may be seen as a benefit, it does mean that students can have a limited amount of time to reflect on what they’ve learned. As a result, participants may have follow-up questions that need to be answered outside of the scheduled classroom hours. While this can easily be accommodated with an extended delivery of the training, it should be a consideration when you’re planning in-house courses. 

Virtual Training

A halfway house between remote online learning and in-house face-to-face, virtual training has become increasingly popular both during and post lockdown.  Delivered typically via Zoom or Teams with daily live interaction with the trainer, this method of training includes pre-course study similar to the in-house course but allows the delegates to join the course live online from wherever they are based.

Advantages

With similar advantages to the face-to-face in-house training i.e. Bespoke Course Content available, Higher Attendance (even available for those working at home), Team Building and Fast Results, virtual training also has the advantage of: 

Lower Costs

There is no travel and subsistence for a trainer to visit your office location

Time Savings

Delegates can join the online course from wherever they are based

Disadvantages

Again the disadvantages are similar to the in-house face-to-face training option i.e. Limited Class Numbers, Staff Availability, Operational Impact, Less Reflection Time there is the added disadvantage of:-

Increased Screen Time

This disadvantage is offset by the use of regular breaks to complete written exercises and separate study items throughout the day.

 

Which Training Methods Are Right for Your Business?

As you can see, online remote learning, virtual  and in-house training have their pros and cons but finding the best solution for your company is easier than you think. By analysing your goals and priorities, we can help you to identify the most effective learning options for your team. So, why wait? Contact Provek now on 01635 524610 or email us at enquiries@provek.co.uk to learn more.

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