Dive Brief:

• In order to get employees engaged in training, gamification can make it fun, when done well. With careful planning, training can be balanced between entertaining and relevant to employee learning objectives, according to Training Industry. 
• By using aptitude tests, it's possible to challenge learners and gauge the level of their understanding. So too, games should challenge and motivate learners, otherwise they become boring. 
• Training Industry warns that gamification should not be a substitute for answering the "what's in it for me?" question that's common in learning. Putting employees at the center of learning helps, as does incentives. Gaming can be used to reward learners for their progress. For example, being able to play a non-educational game when a module is completed. 

Dive Insight:

The tips presented can be very useful for designing workforce training that includes gaming elements. All learning must be centered on the learner, in order to motivate and inspire. This is the problem with many training programs out there that are overly focused on company objectives, but missing the employee element. When learners can put their newfound knowledge to work, this is the sign of training that works. Gamification is just one of many ways to help employees have fun while learning.