Has Remote Working & Learning Changed The Business Landscape?

In recent years, the impact of global events has brought on the rapid onset of new and alternative working styles. From hybrid to remote, employers are exploring how these varied and exciting ways of work can benefit their teams.

For employees, the ability to work from home has opened up a new dimension for work and study – no longer restricted to studying and working onsite, new opportunities have arisen for the curious employee.

Let’s discover how this new business landscape has developed – with the opportunities available for the keen-eyed learner from taking a business course online to taking advantage of new work practices to engage in more flexible working arrangements.

IMAGE: UNSPLASH

Impacts Of The Pandemic – The Great Disruptor

The COVID-19 pandemic of recent years has forced employers to reflect on how work is conducted. As workplaces around the world experienced the effects of a highly contagious pandemic firsthand, some employers have been forced to adopt new working strategies to stay operational.

Looking at office occupancy surveys demonstrates just how rapidly this change has become onset in the fabric of business in Australia.

A recent office occupancy survey found that just 8% of employees were working five days a week in an office – highlighting just how much change is afoot in the business landscape.

Hybrid, Remote, Or On-site?

While new working arrangements can often present challenges, many businesses have sought to make changes to adapt to these new norms.

Gone are the days of all-hands meetings on an in-person basis, as companies seek to adopt technology platforms such as Zoom and Teams to create hybrid experiences that attempt to engage and delight.

While some business leaders are expressing a strong desire to bring workers back into the office, it seems unlikely that a return to full-time office work will be happening any time soon for most sectors.

As such, being able to take on work in a style and format that suits an individual’s needs is paramount.

For those that require a structured environment, an on-site position may be preferable. These have remained largely unchanged from before the pandemic, with the exception of more digital communication tools being implemented (such as web conferencing).

For those with other obligations, such as child care, a hybrid approach may be preferable. By segmenting the week into a mix of on-site and off-site days, an employee can adapt to family obligations while maintaining full-time work.

Alternatively, for those that have picked up work and moved to remote or rural locations, a fully remote role may be ideal. These enable employees to engage in work, even if they work in a place where they are unable to travel to an office consistently.

Enabling New Learning Opportunities

With the implementation of new work models, many employees have discovered the benefits of online courses with their newly found time savings from not having to travel to the office.

Time-poor workers now have the opportunity to use their time to explore online courses and enhance their skills in areas such as business administration or project management.

Being able to garner additional qualifications outside of work can be particularly advantageous when putting forward a case for a salary increase. Working towards a new qualification can demonstrate a willingness to grow and learn – skills that are undoubtedly beneficial to employers.

As employees make the shift from full-time office work to more hybrid and remote arrangements, it’s expected that they will continue to leverage the availability of online courses to expand their skill sets.

With more than three million Australians undertaking online study annually, it has asserted its place as a powerful enabler for learning new skills.

What Will The Future Of Work Look Like?

As the working environment changes, so must the education landscape. As workers look to make the move to alternative working arrangements, the ability to study and learn remotely has also shifted.

No matter whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge, acquire a new skill, or transition into a new career, there is a vast range of opportunities for the keen learner.

If you’re looking to pursue an online course, consider speaking to your employer to discover what support may be available to you in the workplace. You never know where further education may take you.