UAE exhibition showcases importance of workplace e-learning

HR managers and professionals discussed the importance of online learning in organisations at the latest Training and Development Show in the Middle East.

The event - which is the largest workplace learning exhibition and conference in the region - is operated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and was opened this year by minister of education H.E Humaid Moh'd Al Qutami.

It showcased various examples of e-learning used in Middle Eastern firms, such as virtual classrooms, digital courses, internet-based tutorials and learning materials found on company intranets.

Online training platforms are the most popular form of technology being employed by businesses in the UAE in the next 18 months.

This is according to a new survey conducted by media body Terrapinn Middle East, which also found that mobile and wireless systems were in the top three strategies.

Nicola Wartnaby, marketing director at the organisation, said managers are recognising that digital education is a cheap and convenient learning solution, as group licenses can be purchased and these can be used to train an entire team.

"Perhaps the most significant benefit of e-learning is the associated convenience - you can choose when and where to learn, provided you have the appropriate equipment," she remarked.

The Training and Development show - which is running today (December 4th) through to tomorrow - is expected to attract more than 1,500 professionals and offers a range of free seminars.

Some of the sessions include advice on how to use blended learning and apply these techniques to the development of HR.

Attendees can also find out from Microsoft Corporation how to engage their workers by using gaming technologies, or which steps need to be taken to integrate mobile technology into company training.

Ms Wartnaby continued: "Being able to deliver standardised training to your whole team or workforce is another benefit [of e-learning], particularly when trying to introduce a new skill or procedure to your employees."