The State of the Training Industry Benchmark Report has revealed new insights in how organisations deliver training, engage delegates, and manage operations. We're seeing big shifts – from the rise in popularity in classroom training to the adoption of AI and the growing importance of training management software (TMS). Here’s what’s happening and why you should care.
Online learning isn’t going anywhere, but in-person training is back in demand. 41% of training providers say they’re seeing increased interest in classroom learning, marking a shift from the all-digital focus of recent years.
Why this matters: Learners are looking for more interactive, hands-on experiences. If you’ve gone all-in on eLearning, it might be time to consider reintroducing face-to-face options (where possible) or offer blended learning.
A huge 59% of training providers now use training management software to handle bookings, automate admin, and improve efficiency. That’s a big jump and a clear sign that relying on spreadsheets and manual processes alone is becoming outdated.
Why this matters: If you’re still juggling multiple tools to run your training business, you could be wasting time and missing opportunities. A good TMS helps with everything from scheduling courses to tracking delegate progress, giving you more time to focus on delivering great training.
43% of learners use search engines to find courses, yet only 5% of training providers are making SEO a priority. That means many businesses are missing out on organic traffic and free marketing opportunities.
What you can do:
Optimise your website with keywords that are relevant to the industries you offer training for
Create genuinely useful, helpful content that answers common learner questions
Make sure your site loads quickly and works well on mobile
A few simple tweaks could help more people find your courses without you spending extra on ads.
Only 3.5% of training providers are using AI extensively, though 46% have started using it for content creation and 18% for automating admin tasks. There’s huge potential here, but many organisations are still figuring out how to make AI work for them.
Where AI could help you:
Enhance accessibility in your eLearning with AI-generated speech-to-text and captioning to create subtitles and transcripts
AI can check for originality in student assignments and prevent academic dishonesty using plagiarism detection tools
Generating training materials faster with AI-powered content tools
You don’t need to dive in headfirst, but experimenting with AI could make your training business more efficient.
Podcasts are gaining popularity in learning, with 29% of learners saying they’d like to see more of them, yet only 9% of training providers are offering them. On-demand webinars are even more popular, with 43% of learners enjoying them as part of their learning journey, yet only 20% of training providers currently offer them.
What you can do: If you’re not already offering recorded webinars or audio content, now’s a great time to start. These formats let learners access training when it suits them, making your content more accessible and appealing to busy professionals.
Managing training manually is time-consuming, and as demand grows, training providers need a system that helps them plan, manage, and sell courses and resources – all in one place. A good training management system gives you complete control over your training business.
Stop wasting hours on admin. A TMS can automatically handle certificates, joining instructions, attendance tracking, and reporting, giving you more time to focus on growing your business.
Whether you’re running classroom sessions, virtual training, or blended courses, a TMS helps you schedule courses, assign trainers, manage room availability, and track attendance, all from one system.
A TMS isn’t just for managing courses – it helps you fill them too. Automate marketing emails, manage enquiries, and track opportunities to increase bookings without the extra workload.
No more spreadsheets or disconnected tools. With a TMS, you have a central hub for everything – from course planning and learner management to finance tracking and performance insights.
The training industry is always evolving, and keeping up with these trends could help you stay ahead of the competition. Whether it’s bringing back more classroom learning, investing in a TMS, or making better use of AI, now’s the time to take action.
Looking for an easier way to manage your training business? Discover how training management software can help you streamline operations and boost success. Book a demo today!
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