New York, NY – February 1, 2018 – CGS, a global provider of business applications, enterprise learning and outsourcing services, today announced the findings from its 2018 Learning and Development Survey of more than 500 U.S. individuals who are deskless workers. These are workers who do much of their professional work with a mobile device instead of a laptop computer and who are often on the go (e.g., engineers, nurses, laboratory, factory, retail and construction workers). While these individuals may not have regular access to a computer, the survey proves that employers must emphasize learning and development (L&D) programs if they want to attract, engage and retain this talent.
Key findings from the survey include:
Organizations are failing to give regular performance feedback
More than 25 percent of these workers surveyed are not receiving any performance feedback from their employers. Another 51 percent are receiving feedback four or less times per year. With business requirements, technology, certifications and work assignments constantly changing in these deskless professions, organizations must prioritize solutions and programs that deploy continuous feedback.
Most generations still prefer instructor-led sessions
The survey found that 37 percent of deskless workers find instructor-led training to be the most beneficial format for learning, ahead of video, games, simulations and group training. However, Gen Z respondents valued simulation exercises the most, demonstrating a need for organizations to expand their learning formats for this new technology-savvy generation entering the workforce. Video training should also be factored into learning programs, as Gen-Xers find video instruction twice as engaging as Gen Z workers.
Organizations aren’t shaping their deskless workers into leaders
Only 25 percent of respondents said their employers have L&D programs in place to develop leadership skills. Offering interactive and collaborative leadership training is essential to retaining talent, especially in industries such as hospitality and retail where turnover rates can be high.
“The deskless workforce is a crucial part of our economy and requires equal opportunities for learning and development in their respective fields,” said Doug Stephen, SVP, Learning division, at CGS. “At CGS, we work with organizations to determine the types of instruction that would be beneficial to their deskless employees and then customize the training and development programs for them. We’ve seen L&D programstransform companies, making employees more productive, engaged and motivated.”
“The survey shows that companies today need more modern ways to engage and train their field employees,” said Matt MacInnis, Founder and CEO of Inkling, a leading provider of workforce empowerment software and a technology partner to CGS. “Along with CGS, we're delivering solutions that help our customers empower their employees and increase productivity, which is ultimately allowing them to better attract and retain talent.”
To view the findings, see infographic here.
CGS's Enterprise Learning Group serves as a trusted partner to many of the world’s most dynamic companies, delivering innovative, custom learning solutions that are essential to scaling their people, processes and performance. CGS’s custom professional development solutions range from interactive game-based eLearning to transformational technology rollouts. Each solution is designed to keep clients’ employee-related business fundamentals strong in today’s ever-changing corporate environment.
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About CGS
For nearly 35 years, CGS has enabled global enterprises, regional companies and government agencies to drive breakthrough performance through business applications, enterprise learning and outsourcing services. CGS is wholly focused on creating comprehensive solutions that meet clients' complex, multi-dimensional needs and support clients' most fundamental business activities. Headquartered in New York City, CGS has offices across North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. For more information, please visit www.cgsinc.com and follow us on Twitter at @CGSinc and @LearningCGS and on Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Susan Sweeney, CGS
Kate Connors (for CGS)