E-learning Project Challenges: Interim and Contract Solutions

As technological advancements continue to rise and evolve, more and more businesses are shifting towards implementing online eLearning courses. E-learning courses are revolutionising the educational sector, providing cost-effective, engaging and flexible content that can be accessed globally. 

As the demand for eLearning courses and professionals rises, there is increased pressure for eLearning specialists to develop projects without encountering problems. The demand for expertise and efficiency within the sector is leading to project difficulties, such as skills gaps, tight deadlines and budgets, fluctuating and unmanageable workloads and evolving training needs. 

In this guide, we will explore the different eLearning project challenges within the industry and discuss the various interim and contract solutions that will quickly address development challenges and ensure eLearning projects run smoothly. 

What are the eLearning Project Challenges?

So, what are the current eLearning project challenges, and how can they be addressed?

1. Skills Gap 

The global eLearning market is set to reach $336.98 billion by 2026, meaning the demand for skilled professionals is significantly rising. 

The primary contributor to the talent gap in eLearning professionals is the limited investment and encouragement of employee learning and development, such as training courses. When workers need to gain the necessary knowledge for their roles, it often creates a perception of poor support from management. To address this challenge and unlock the full potential of employees, there is a need for a balanced approach that combines the required support with the required skills. 

Training is usually one of the first budget items to be disregarded within the eLearning industry, as most organisations primarily focus on revenue and are conscious of tight budgets. The lack of investment in training professionals further broadens the skills gap, making it difficult for businesses to stay competitive, optimise performance and stay on top of the workload. 

How can an eLearning Interim and Contract solutions help?

• Access to specialised expertise - Contractors within the eLearning industry are a quick solution to bringing the required expertise to the business, with little need for training.  Contractors have domain-specific knowledge, enabling them to succeed in various placements within eLearning project development.
• Experience - Most eLearning contractors already have significant experience before joining an organisation, enabling businesses to source the specific skill set needed to develop eLearning projects. This also saves time on training and establishing eLearning contractors, and they can make a positive difference immediately.
• Exclusive networks -  It is easy for businesses to connect with contract and interim professionals within the digital education environment and access exclusive networks filled with pre-existing eLearning talent, which ensures eLearning project skills are sourced in time. 
• Reduces time to market - Permanent recruitment can often take up a lot of time, as hiring managers must undergo extended interviews and screening to determine whether a candidate fits the role. However, eLearning contractors are readily available and can quickly adapt to internal processes, allowing businesses to obtain the required skill sets and providing more time for developing eLearning projects.

2. Evolving Training Needs

In many instances, the absence of support for employee development doesn't stem from a lack of employer interest but rather from the rapidly evolving skills landscape driven by ever-changing eLearning technologies. E-learning organisations must begin investing in professional training resources to maintain expertise and develop skills in areas like authoring tools, management and analytical abilities to reduce talent gaps in the eLearning industry. 

Developing eLearning projects involves using advanced technologies, such as authoring tools within course creation, like Adobe Creative, for multimedia development and instructional design. As skills are extremely subject-specific and authoring tool technology evolves, it is essential to have the correct training resources in place. 

How can an eLearning Interim and Contract solutions help?

• Experience -  E-learning contractors and interim professionals come with pre-existing talent and a specialised skill set, meaning there is little need for investment in training resources. Most eLearning contractors have substantial experience, can immediately begin efficient work, and adapt quickly to new training and technological advances. 
• Project management - Onboarding experienced eLearning contractors means that workload and demand are lowered as a whole, and there is more time for investing in training sessions and resources for employees to keep up with the evolving technologies and skills of the eLearning field. 
• Time effective - On-demand contractor training demonstrates a commitment to interim and contract professionals and facilitates seamless digital training for an evolving workforce, resulting in time and cost savings. It is also easy to filter training resources so contractors are only exposed to relevant information whenever needed. 
• Cost-effective - Opting for interim and contract solutions means employers can stay on budget, and limited funding will go into training contractors. Practical training also translates to cost efficiency. For hourly-paid contractors, eliminating unnecessary training ensures their time is maximised for tasks that contribute directly to their performance, ultimately benefiting your organisation.

3. Tight Deadlines and Budgets

The implementation of eLearning projects can take up a lot of time. A recent study estimated that developing an entire eLearning course would take around 450 hours. The eLearning project development process is lengthy, so ensuring your business already has the resources and required professional expertise is essential in meeting tight project deadlines whilst remaining on budget. 

Many organisations avoid investing in training courses for professionals to acquire the skill set needed for project solutions and course development due to tight budgets and a primary focus on revenue. However, eLearning contractors can help challenge these difficulties.

How can an eLearning Interim and Contract solutions help?

• Project management - Gaining eLearning interim and contract professionals can free up a lot of spare time to focus on project development, increasing the possibility of meeting tight deadlines. As mentioned, contractors are readily available and can begin project work immediately. 
• Cost and time-efficient - Seeking contract and interim workers means that recruiters can access a pre-existing talent pool, saving time and money on recruitment processes and training resources. Contractors already have the skills required for eLearning project solutions and development, meaning their knowledge can immediately be put into practice, and deadlines can be met with little cost involved. 
• Contracts can be extended  - One huge solution contract and interim workers provide is that if deadlines are struggling to be met, it is easy for recruiters to extend employment contracts if necessary, meaning the expertise can remain until the project development is complete. Employers only have to pay for the services they need when required, which is highly cost-effective and helps to remain within budget. 
• Quick Collaboration - The digital education environment is highly collaborative, meaning sourcing talented eLearning contractors is a quick process. The combination of a speedy hiring process of top eLearning talent means work on development projects can be started quickly to ensure tight deadlines are met. 

4. Fluctuating Workloads

Workload fluctuates massively within the eLearning industry, and permanent hiring usually leads to over or under-employment. This can lead to challenges like costly salary bills and reduced efficiency. Workplace wellbeing can also be affected, as eLearning professionals will find that they do not have the essential resources and support required to complete project development work. 

Onboarding interim and contractor professionals are highly advantageous in addressing these challenges, as the power of flexibility means employers can invest in top talent quickly,  as and when they need it.

How can an eLearning Interim and Contract solutions help?

• Free time for core tasks - By onboarding interim and contract professionals, businesses can easily source the required eLearning talent needed to complete high-demand project developments and meet tight deadlines. This effectively eases the workload for other employees, creating a positive workplace well-being and culture. 
• Limits burnout - eLearning interim and contract professionals can ease workload demand and drive project progress quickly, as they come with pre-existing skills and experience, and little training is required. This reduces burnout of other employees as project demand is lowered, creating a more positive and efficient work environment. 
• Contracts can be extended - Whether project demand is high or low, employers can negotiate contracts of employment based on as and when they need work. Organisations can quickly source specific skills and expertise for as long as needed, which is cost-efficient and time-efficient. 
• Rapid project initiation - Time is extremely valuable in eLearning project developments. The digital education environment is highly collaborative, meaning contractor recruitment services like ours can quickly source interim and contractor workers with top eLearning talent. This means professionals can hit the ground running, reducing market time and increasing efficiency.

For more information on the benefits of eLearning interim and contract professionals and how they could address project challenges, discover our insightful guide - The Benefits of Utilising eLearning Contractors.

Interim and Contract Solutions - Key Skills

When looking for the most suitable interim and contract professionals, there are several essential skills hiring managers need to look out for. It is also important to consider the eLearning project's scope, needs and goals to pinpoint precisely what you need from a candidate. 

Essential Skills to Look Out For: 

• Instructional Design Expertise - Having skills in planning and designing the structure of an online eLearning course is essential. Contractors must be aware of the ADDIE and Bloom’s Taxonomy models. 
• Authoring Tool Skills - In the eLearning industry, it is essential for interim and contract professionals to be knowledgeable on authoring tools to create content within online courses. Authoring tools can involve Adobe Creative and iSpring. 
• Project Management Skills - Interim and contract professionals must have strong project management skills, which are important to ensure a project runs smoothly and tight deadlines and budgets are met.
• Gamification Expertise - Expertise in gamification is a vital component that eLearning contractors must have to incorporate interactive and engaging elements into eLearning resources. 
• Multimedia Development - It is equally important for interim and contract professionals to have multimedia development skills so that eLearning can remain engaging.

If you want to learn more about the essential skills of interim and eLearning contractors, discover our insightful guide - Essential Skills Employers Need From eLearning Contractors. 

Key Takeaways - Interim and Contract Solutions

The ever-changing field of eLearning projects presents numerous challenges, from skills gaps and evolving training needs to tight deadlines, budgets, and fluctuating workloads. However, exploring interim and contract solutions offers a strategic response to these challenges, providing agile and efficient measures to ensure the successful development of eLearning projects.

Ultimately, integrating interim and contract solutions addresses eLearning projects' immediate challenges and positions organisations to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital education industry. The collaborative digital environment enables quick connections and recruitment, making it easy to leverage the expertise and flexibility of interim and contract professionals. Businesses can navigate the complexities of eLearning project development with confidence and innovation.

Interim and contract professionals have substantial pre-existing talent, meaning they can immediately start working on eLearning project solutions, making meeting tight project deadlines and budgets easier. 

In the search for the right interim and contract solutions, a focus on essential skills such as instructional design expertise, authoring tools, project management skills, gamification expertise, and multimedia development ensures that organisations can pinpoint candidates who are well-equipped to tackle the unique demands of eLearning projects.

Need Help Sourcing Top Interim and Contract Solutions?

The specialist consultants at Instinct Resourcing have been connecting eLearning interim and contract professionals to global businesses for over a decade. Our recruitment experts possess the expertise to source your business with the talent and project solutions it needs, connecting you with experts in design, development, project management and more.

Trust us to find the talent to drive innovation in your business. Contact us today to discuss your eLearning requirements.