Everything You Need To Know About Workday® Learning Center HCM

In 1999, the Editor of Training and Development magazine wrote: “Online learning is not the next big thing, it is the now big thing.” And yet, nearly 20 years later, approximately one fifth of organizations still don’t use a learning management system (LMS). A learning management system is a software application. With it, you can create, track, deliver, and report on educational courses or training programs. LMS applications make life easier for millions of training managers worldwide. But now, human capital management (HCM) systems like Workday® Learning Center are taking over. Why? Because they offer complete e-learning solutions and a whole range of other HR capability in one simple suite.

The evolution of HR applications

HR applications like Workday® have evolved from the basic tools of the 2000s. Today, they’re highly integrated end-to-end talent management solutions. HR commentator Josh Bersin writes in Forbes: “In the late 1990s…companies started to snatch up these new talent management systems, focused on automating the processes of recruiting, performance appraisal, and online learning. “The talent management market quickly grew, reaching over $2 billion by 2007…” Suddenly, “talent management” was no longer a term reserved only for Hollywood. It had permeated the corporate world. As the category of integrated talent management became established, cloud computing entered the scene. And finally, Workday® Learning Center came along. Today’s HR systems offer convenient management and analytics of:

• Employee benefits and compensation

• Hiring and recruitment

• E-learning and talent management

• Staff performance

• Employee engagement

And of course, it is all available in the cloud. (Source: Forbes)

What is Workday® Learning Center?

Workday® Learning Center is a recognised leader in cloud HCM‎. Founded in 2005, it is an on-demand, cloud-based financial management and human capital management (HCM) software supplier. “Human Capital Management (HCM) consists of a broad set of business practices that assist with both the management and acquisition of human resources within a company or organization.” Financial Force (Source: RDS Business Services) Clients include Netflix, TomTom, Hewlett Packard, AON, and Amazon. However, the suite is designed to work well for businesses of all sizes. When it comes to developing employees, Workday® makes it simple.

• Engage employees through shareable learning experiences accessible on any device.
• Manage all aspects of learning, from informal learning to compliance training.
• Deliver engaging, interactive video content.
• Create personalized learning paths, content, and programs to drive engagement.
• Connect to external content to access even more knowledge.
• Measure learning effectiveness through built-in, actionable reporting.

Workday® Learning Center uses contemporary ideas about individual learning styles. With features such as Workday® video intelligence, employees can absorb information in the way that works best for them. Converting spoken word to text, information inside videos is unlocked for verbal learners. Workday® doesn’t just help with employee training. Its offers within one cloud platform:

• business planning
• financial management
• human capital management
• analytics
• professional services
• automation

Why are applications like Workday® Learning Center so valuable?

UK telecoms company TalkTalk explains why an integrated HCM is so valuable to their business:

“To support our colleagues in today’s changing environment, we needed to re-ignite learning as an essential and daily quality of the employee experience.”

Employee training is no longer a separate and sidelined part of an organization’s human resources function. It’s integral to the daily life of all staff. It’s at the heart of the employee experience. And, as TalkTalk says, it’s key to helping employees do their jobs better and faster. And as new hires join the business, they immediately have access to a tool that will get them up to speed.   

Alternatives to Workday® Learning Center

Whether Workday® Learning Center is right for you depends on your business, its objectives, and employee training needs. Workday® was recently named in the top 5 best cloud HCM systems by Tech Radar. So it’s got good credentials. It’s worth noting that some online users have advised it is not as user-friendly as it claims to be. But there are alternatives on the market also worth exploring.

• Oracle HCM Cloud – suitable for large enterprises, but online commentators note that it’s not easily customizable.

• SAP SuccessFactors – geared towards companies with less than 500 employees but, unfortunately, relatively expensive.

• BambooHR – a free trial is available, but a few online reviewers have mentioned minor usability issues.

• Ceridian – admins can set goals for team members, but there’s reportedly a learning curve with using this product.

So if you’re looking for a comprehensive, cloud-based HCM that includes employee training features, Workday® Learning Center is worth a look. Remember: the more integrated and easy to use your systems are, the better the employee experience will be. And the quicker your organization will see results.