Leveraging an LMS to Boost Employee Training: 6 Key Features

Employee training is essential for workplace success, but without the right HR tech tools, it can quickly become a headache to manage.

That’s where a Learning Management System (LMS) comes in. It simplifies the entire process — making it easier to deliver, track and measure employee learning.

While you likely have a solid training program for new employees to get them accustomed to your organization, training options for existing staffers are often more limited.

Level Up Employee Training: Key LMS Features

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current LMS platform or invest in a new one, here are six essential features to level up your employee training program.

1. Short, Specific Sessions

You know better than anyone that employees’ attention spans aren’t long. No one wants to sit through hours of training, no matter how valuable the information is.

Focus instead on short, specific bursts of information that will snag workers’ interest and help them retain the info. This microlearning strategy emphasizes brief (three to five minutes) sessions designed to meet specific outcomes. You can use it for both formal training and informal, but it’s generally more successful when applied to informal skills training instead of intense or complex processed-based training.

Microlearning has several key characteristics. To target them, make sure your training is:

• Lean: It shouldn’t need a mob of people to implement.
• Adaptable: Incorporate ways to apply the training to many employees across a range of departments and locations. Although specificity is a key component of microlearning, it can’t be so specific that only one employee will benefit. Otherwise, it’s not worth the time and resources.
• Simple: Avoid over-complicating things and confusing workers.
• Seamless: Make the most of the technology available to you. Your LMS should be accessible on employees’ mobile devices and laptops, eliminating the need for in-person sessions whenever possible.

Keep in mind that microlearning doesn’t have to be the core of your training program—some topics simply can’t be condensed into short, bite-sized lessons. However, incorporating microlearning can add variety to your program and introduce a fresh, engaging approach to training.

2. Employee Assessments

An effective training program is only as good as what employees retain, so you’ll want a way to measure where they started and how the training has impacted them.

A pre-training employee assessment can also shine a light on what workers are looking for and what they still need to learn. This allows you to target specific skills training and development to the employees who need it — without wasting time for employees who don’t.

Post-training employee assessments help you see who has mastered the training and who still needs help. They can also show you where your training program could be improved.

To make employee assessments as helpful as possible:

• Avoid yes or no questions; instead, require workers to provide a variety of feedback.

• Look over how the training objectives line up with workers’ perceptions of their professional development.

• Offer both task- and skill-based evaluations that look at performance and adaptation of the skill, rather than memorization ability.

It’s important to remember that evaluations don’t have to follow the traditional test format. Most people aren’t fans of tests, so turning assessments into games or fun activities can make employees more willing to participate and offer honest feedback without the pressure of being “graded.”

Some LMS solutions allow employee assessments to be completed online, with results stored in an easily accessible location. You can often generate reports that provide a quick overview of who gained the most from the training and who may need further help for necessary improvements.

3. Collaboration Tools

Collaboration tools like built-in messaging systems and discussion boards are common features in LMS solutions, offering employees the chance to learn together and progress on the same path.

Encouraging interaction and connection among employees offers several benefits for your training program and organization. When employees build working relationships with their co-workers, they tend to be more engaged and productive.

Fostering collaboration during training not only helps employees take the course more seriously but also encourages teamwork that extends beyond the training environment.

4. Multimedia Options

Multimedia options are game-changers when it comes to employee training.

With an LMS, you can incorporate videos, podcasts, infographics and interactive content to make learning more engaging and effective.

For example, gamification boosts employee engagement by making training, and other mundane tasks, more exciting and appealing.

This variety keeps employees interested and helps cater to different learning styles.

Consider incorporating multimedia to break up text-heavy lessons and make complex topics easier to understand. It’s a simple way to boost engagement and retention across your team.

5. Easy Access

A training program won’t be effective if it’s difficult to access. If employees are required to attend in-person sessions at specific times and locations, they’re less likely to participate. Even if the training is mandatory, it can lead to disengagement and resistance to learning.

This is where an LMS solution truly shines. It centralizes training and courses in one accessible platform, allowing employees to access content from any device, at their convenience.

Whether employees prefer to learn independently or collaborate with others, the LMS makes it easy to fit training into their schedules.

An LMS is also invaluable for remote workers or teams across multiple locations, eliminating the need for coordinating in-person sessions or managing numerous training events simultaneously.

6. Professional Development

Many employees, especially younger ones, want to see a clear path forward in their careers. They’re not just looking to learn skills for their current role. They want opportunities to grow and develop new skills that will help them advance.

To keep employees engaged, make sure your training program outlines clear professional development paths. This helps employees understand the long-term benefits of their training and motivates them to stay with your company as they see how their skills and careers can grow within the organization.

Most LMS solutions offer the ability to create customized learning paths tailored to each employee’s career stage and goals.

By showcasing these growth opportunities, you not only keep your current team engaged but also attract top talent, as prospective employees can see the potential for advancement.

Bottom Line

Training is important for all employees, not just new hires or recent transfers. A well-rounded training program is key to strengthening your workforce and keeping employees engaged in their roles.

When employees have the opportunity to enhance their skills and develop professionally, they become happier and more productive, making the investment in training programs worthwhile.

LMS solutions take employee training to the next level by offering flexible, accessible and customizable learning options that promote employee development.

To learn more about top-ranked LMS vendors, check out the Best HR Tech Vendors for Small Businesses in 2025.