What Are Learning Pathways and Their Benefits?

Learning pathways are a bespoke educational journey. They’re designed to ensure that staff acquire skills in an organised and efficient manner. They eliminate the hit-or-miss nature of conventional training, replacing it with a more strategic approach.

The main aim of a pathway is to lead the learner from where they are now to their target level of expertise. 

Within this article, we’ll explore the nuances of learning pathways, their significance, and their integral role within Learning Management Systems (LMS).

What are Learning Pathways?

When team members need to acquire new knowledge or skills, they are typically assigned training pathways within a Learning Management System (LMS). A pathway is a curated sequence of courses deliberately selected and organised to facilitate the effective retention of information. The training pathway also includes notifications and reminders to guide learners through the training process, and it remains incomplete until the learner successfully completes all the courses within the pathway.

Learning pathways can be used for onboarding new staff members, but they can also be used for teaching new skills or systems.

Why are Learning Pathways important?

From a management perspective, introducing Learning Pathways considerably reduces the need for their involvement in training and onboarding. Once a pathway is set up, employees smoothly transition from one module to another, ensuring continuous learning with minimal interruptions.

This journey provides a well-defined path for employees, connecting their development to the broader goals of the hotel or restaurant. It also reduces the necessity for managers to be highly engaged - saving their valuable time.

Types of Learning Pathways

There are three distinct types of learning paths – sequenced, leaners choice and level. Each of these paths serves a specific purpose and is tailored to achieve training objectives.

a) Sequenced learning paths: These pathways involve a rigid order of courses. Imagine it like a carefully curated menu where each dish prepares you for the next.

b) Learners Choice learning paths: Here, while there's a recommended set of courses, employees aren’t shackled by a set sequence. They have the liberty to pick and choose based on their existing proficiency or immediate needs.

c) Level learning paths: Embodying the true spirit of flexibility, this approach allows staff to delve into any mix of courses or sessions with no predetermined sequence.
Which learning path is the best?

Before you can choose the best learning path for you, identifying your training goals is essential. This helps to ensure that the educational journey is both efficient and effective for everyone involved.

Choosing the right LMS.

The potential of learning pathways is fully unlocked when combined with a robust Learning Management System (LMS).

An LMS serves as a digital hub for educational content, enabling the creation and management of learning paths. In the dynamic hospitality sector, an LMS offers the flexibility needed for customised learning paths accessible anytime and anywhere.

Benefits of Learning Pathways for Employers

Here are some key benefits that learning pathways offer employers:

• Standardisation of service – when all employees have undertaken the same training programs, you can expect the same delivery of service across the board.
• Professional development - offering structured learning opportunities often results in increased job satisfaction, making employees feel valued and more likely to stay with the organisation.
• Efficient onboarding – this enables new hires to quickly come up to speed by following a pre-established learning path tailored to their role.
• Reducing training costs - by having a streamlined, effective, and repeatable training program through learning paths.

The hospitality industry thrives on the quality of service and the experiences provided to customers. As such, continuous learning and development of employees are crucial. Adopting learning pathways is a proactive approach to ensuring that both employees and employers remain at the forefront of service excellence, meeting the evolving demands of the sector with confidence.