Catering to the hybrid workplace
One of the biggest stories of the COVID pandemic was the almost overnight shift to remote working, followed by a permanent transition to flexible work patterns.
Throughout this tumultuous period, PM-Partners has adapted its training offering in line with evolving customer needs. Just as we were quick to pivot from in-person courses to 100% virtual training in response to work-from-home mandates, we have also been at the forefront of hybrid learning practices.
With flexible work options now standard in most organisations, we believe project professionals expect learning methods that mirror their preferences. We are an early adopter of virtual technologies and since early-2021 have offered a choice of virtual and in-person delivery modes on all our courses.
Since then, we’ve focused on finessing our hybrid offering, ironing out glitches and ensuring we can confidently promise the same learning outcomes whatever training method you choose.
The dual-mode classroom
Drawing on our 25 year-training pedigree and a significant investment in technology, PM-Partners’ hybrid delivery model combines the virtual and in-centre learning experience into one cohesive whole.
Quality and choice are our key considerations ensuring we meet the drive towards working more independently and give workers access to global best practice courses and top training facilitators, no matter their schedule or location.
Regardless of whether participants are looking to bolster traditional PM skills with a PRINCE2® certification, or help their organisation embrace agility at the enterprise level with SAFe®, they can choose to dial-in remotely or turn up in person.
Either way, learners enjoy the same bespoke classroom environment equipped to meet their needs, led by a skilled, live instructor. And because it’s one course with two delivery modes, customers can easily change their preference, if, say, they’re forced to stay home due to illness. This gives them confidence that whatever happens they can still build the skills and capabilities they need, when they need them.
Harnessing technology
To work successfully, our approach leans heavily on technology to connect and engage learners. One of the good things to come out of the COVID era is that workers were forced to familiarise themselves with digital communication and collaboration tools. These days holding meetings, from kick offs and design sprints to retros, supported by platforms like Zoom, MS Teams and Miro, has become second nature.
As a result, we’ve been able to iron out many of the traditional stumbling blocks experienced by virtual learners and adapt and enhance our approach to optimise the experience. And if any issues do occur, we have a dedicated technical assistant in every session to minimise distractions.
In each of our dual-mode classrooms, the following audio-visual equipment and learning tools all come as standard:
- 98” interactive ultra-fine touch displays
- built-in digital white board collaboration software
- 4-way split screen content sharing software
- choice of virtual meeting platforms
- high speed nbn™ broadband
- remote controlled, ‘follow-me’ camera systems
- 9 in-ceiling microphone arrays
- surround sound speakers.
Body language and voice are critical to effective learning, and these inclusions ensure both remote and in-centre participants can see and hear everything clearly and enjoy a shared learning experience. Whether training solo or with your team, cutting-edge collaboration tools also provide learners with the opportunity to tap into the full diversity of the group and enrich their experience.
The multi-modal trainer
In this setting it obviously takes a highly trained instructor to orchestrate everything, particularly when it comes to engaging both sets of learners. As people get more used to the hybrid workplace, the expectation will be there that they can dial into a training session, just like they dial into a Zoom meeting. The challenge however is ensuring they fully participate.
It’s critical that all learners feel part of the same class so this starts with setting up the room so all the elements and perspectives work in harmony. Trainers also have a variety of tricks at their disposal to encourage collaboration and interactivity and ensure the experience is a seamless one. These include:
- changing views to make an attendee the presenter
- screen sharing to display content
- virtual icebreakers and games
- breakout groups for activities/discussions
- conducting polls and tests
- interactive whiteboard sessions
- visual collaboration features like sticky notes
- chat panels and Q&As.
With the right technology and experience at their fingertips, trainers are able to mastermind this new world and provide virtual as well as in-person attendees with valuable opportunities for kinaesthetic learning. This means all learners can achieve that deeper level of understanding that only comes from ‘doing’, while also problem solving and networking with peers.
Combining the virtual and physical delivery modes gives our customers the freedom to train in a way that mirrors their flexible work arrangements and provides the same high-quality training regardless of where they learn.
Employers and employees can also be assured that if disruption occurs, their training schedules can stay on track. Thriving in a competitive landscape demands a commitment to continuous learning, but in our rapidly changing world the ability to upskill and bridge knowledge gaps is more crucial than ever.
Mike Boutel
Head of Training
Nekta Vamvoukakis
Corporate Training Consultant
Jourdan Clark
Professional Development Manager
Why learn with PM-Partners?
