A Trainer's Point of View: What about Hybrid Training?
This morning I listened to an SHRM (Society of HR Managers) webcast about the challenges with recruiting today. One statistic: there are only 1 or 2 available workers skilled enough for every job posted. The presenters also shared that candidates want a remote option where they work. If you have any type of remote workforce, you must consider how you will train them. That leads to hybrid as an option. Here is my trainer’s point of view on how it can be a solution or a wasted effort.
in this new remote work environment,
companies must consider how they will effectively train their workforce.
(In a previous article, I discussed my thoughts on in-person and virtual delivery. Click here to read.)
Define Hybrid
Hybrid training, or programs, mean it is a live event and the participants are both in the room and participating virtually. The trainer is live and designs and facilitates activities to engage both groups. It is melting the in-person training method that was common pre-pandemic with the virtual craze of the last 18 months. The virtual attendees are as active in discussion and activities as the participants in the room.
This takes a highly skilled trainer. It has stretched my brain and skills. I like that to a point, but not every trainer is ready for this. It also isn’t a last-minute decision. In the early design process, it should be defined at the beginning if the training will be in-person, virtual, or hybrid.
Hybrid Options
There are different options for hybrid delivery. These are my terms.
Small Hybrid training using a Zoom Room (or similar technology). These are called ‘smart rooms.’ The technology is installed in the presentation equipment to host virtual participants. This does not require a technical producer.
Medium Hybrid training uses one trainer, one camera, and one virtual producer. The trainer facilitates fairly close to an in-person event and the producer manages the virtual participants. The trainer cannot see virtual participants unless they use a separate computer in their speaking view.
Full Blown Hybrid training uses multiple cameras and screens. It also takes a lot of equipment produced by a professional technical production company. This is not for amateurs. One screen displays the virtual participants, so they feel included. This takes a highly skilled designer to create seamless activities and a highly skilled trainer to move seamlessly between the in-person and virtual participants.
This Trainer’s Point of View
I have done all of the above, and there are common elements of my likes and dislikes. I will keep this general, and if you have a specific question, feel free to email me.
Likes
Expands Training Programs Reach. One training program can reach more people to where they are geographically or physically. How great is this for DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)? On the practical side, training events seem to be canceled less or make-up training is not required because life happens preventing people from being in the room. If they need to be home, for say a plumber, they can be and still participate.
Small and Medium Hybrids is Manageable Tech. A smart room is easy to navigate as a solo trainer. Medium takes a bit more, but it is not so complicated it takes a huge skill jump. It takes practice more than anything.
A Full Blown Hybrid Event is just cool. This is a fairly new technology, and when it all works, it is cool. On my anecdotal evaluations, I have heard from virtual participants the energy translates well when it is done right.
DISLIKES
Clients Not Educated on the Different Requirements. I hear a lot in my world, “Can you just…” (You too?) and one of those “just” are switch to hybrid last minute. One time, I was facilitating a small training in a smart room, but I was told participants would be in person. When I walked into the room to set up, the client informed me someone was joining us from home due to a last-minute change. In my head, “WHAT??!!!” Of course, on the outside, I was calm. So quickly, I had to adjust how to change my activities. I had printed workbooks, so I had to get that emailed to them. This training redesign happened in all of 15 minutes. That is not something every trainer can do on the fly. With better planning, it would not be needed either.
Focus too much on In-Person Participants. It is a squeaky wheel that gets the oil situation. In all three setups, my focus tends to be on the room because I naturally sense other human beings in my presence. If they ask a question, I will hear it quickly and respond. The virtual participant has to make more of an effort to get my attention. Usually, someone in the room will let the trainer know, “Hey, Stacey, it looks like Sean has a question.” However, it adds a layer to their participation and it is more for me to manage. If there is a chat function, it is more brainpower to manage the in-person and virtual live discussions and watch the chat window for comments. That is multitasking on steroids!
Full Blown Events a lot can go wrong and they are expensive. To do well, expect the cost of the event to increase as a professional company is needed for the correct equipment and assistance using it. This is a separate skill set that is not related to training the content. Also, the more technology involved, the more likely something will not work. I have seen it repeatedly. Even the best in the business with the best tech, something will happen and no one knows how to solve it. You always need a Plan B, regardless of the delivery method. However with a Full Blown Hybrid event that Plan B will likely be fairly complicated and expensive too.
Those are my high-level thoughts. Hybrid delivery is an option, but stylistically it takes a determined focus and design to make it an event where all participants feel the energy and learn the material.
I can see the future of training where hybrid becomes the default method. First, the technology cost has come down and equipment simplified for one or two people to manage. This would be like what is happening with hybrid cars. Second, I can see more organizations, not just large companies, build training rooms that include seating for in-person participants and have the setup for simultaneous virtual. It is coming. Third, I see training professionals develop their platform skills delivering effectively to those in-person and those onscreen.
Almost every discipline or industry has had to innovate in the last two years. This is our moment as training professionals to innovate, to be more inclusive, and deliver to our participants the content they need to be successful in what method is best for them to receive.
The time they are a-changing, (tip to Bob Dylan), and it is time for training professionals to be leaders in this change. We are uniquely positioned to help our clients and organizations thrive in this new world of work. We got this!
“I can see the future of training where hybrid becomes the default method.”
