In January of 2024, ATD Research surveyed 519 working Americans to learn more about their preferences for various training delivery methods, including live instructor-led traditional classroom, live instructor-led virtual classroom, hybrid learning, blended learning, and e-learning. Of these methods, live instructor-led traditional, live instructor-led virtual classroom, hybrid learning, and e-learning were considered the more flexible options, giving employees flexibility where and when they complete the training.

Fifty-four percent of working Americans reported that they most preferred one of these more flexible training methods. It is no surprise, given employee demands for flexibility in today’s world. According to research conducted by McKinsey & Company, when employees have the chance to work flexibly, 87 percent of them will take it. As such, one way organizations can meet the demands of employees to have flexibility in their work arrangements is to deliver training in one of the more flexible methods, such as e-learning.

Although many employees have an appetite for flexibility, some still prefer participating in training the traditional way, in a classroom. One-third of working Americans reported that they would prefer taking a class in a live instructor-led traditional classroom format. According to LinkedIn, learning in person can foster a sense of community among employees and provide practical and realistic scenarios that can aid in skill development. Live instructor-led traditional classroom training may be a better method for employees whose jobs must be performed on-site so that they can learn and practice their skills in person.

ATD provides many free and paid resources to learn how to best deliver training using various methods. Check out ATD’s page on Training Delivery and Facilitation to learn more.