Dive Brief:

• Bucking stereotypes about younger generations, instructor-led training remains workers' top preference for employee learning, a Wainhouse Research study reveals.
• Instructor-led training barely edged out short-clip videos for those up to age 49, while the over-50 crowd put coaching and mentoring in second place. Additionally, younger workers ranked informal conversations with subject matter experts higher than other groups.
• Despite these preferences, learners' interests were still spread out among various learning options. Wainhouse says this reinforces the value of blended learning approaches.

Dive Insight:

Even with five generations now working together, L&D professionals are wise to avoid stereotyping when it comes to planning.

With all the e-learning resources available, workplace learners still seek human interaction, regardless of age. Although by a narrower margin for millennials and Gen Z, the numbers in the Wainhouse study shows that the personal touch hasn’t been replaced in workplace learning.

This is mirrored in the finding that all generations expressed a desire for mentoring and conversations with subject matter experts; access to an actual person who can bolster and encourage knowledge and answer questions may be key.

For managers who work with diverse age groups, the need for training has never been greater. As the over-50 group retires from the workforce, there may be no need for L&D professionals to consider a move away from instructor-led training.