Shifting Training Processes and Engagement Levels With Volvo

The way companies train their employees is undergoing a fundamental shift. No longer confined to traditional methods, learning and development programs are leveraging emerging technologies to reach broader audiences and create more meaningful engagement. With new tools at their disposal, L&D leaders are not only improving training delivery but also gaining deeper insights into its effectiveness.

To explore these evolving dynamics, we partnered with ATD to host a webinar with L&D and tech leaders, discussing how technology is reshaping training methodologies and redefining what effective learner engagement looks like.

Training for diverse audiences

As organizations expand, their embrace of virtual communication is extending the reach of their training programs across diverse geographic and experiential backgrounds. Technology platforms play a crucial role in ensuring these teams receive effective training.

“We train dealer teams from Canada, U.S., Mexico, and we've taken up support for a good chunk of Latin America,” says Scott Behe, Senior Manager of Training Operations for Volvo Trucks North America. “And Volvo, as a company, has 100,000 employees globally in over 90 countries. So every ethnic, race, or religious group that you can think of is representative of our employees, our company, and our dealer networks around the world…We have to take [diversity of training] into account.”

At Class, we see this firsthand. Virtual training platforms enable organizations to deliver more personalized learning experiences, creating a more inclusive and engaging environment for learners. When training is tailored to the individual, it naturally fosters greater accessibility and inclusion. “Online trainings that are provided through programs such as Class,” notes Michael Chasen, CEO and Co-Founder of Class, “allow instructors to actually create more personalized learning that can be individualized for the individual learner, which, therefore, automatically also creates a more inclusive experience.”

New engagement metrics

Beyond expanding reach, technology is also transforming how organizations measure learner engagement. The Kirkpatrick Model, created by Donald Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., has long been a cornerstone for assessing training effectiveness, categorizing engagement into four levels:

1. Learner reaction and feedback on the training experience
2. Knowledge gain from the training
3. Behavioral change and application of new skills
4. Business impact resulting from the training

Many organizations focus on the first two levels. According to Training Magazine, 78% of L&D teams primarily measure their programs using Kirkpatrick Level One. The next largest group, at 56%, evaluates at Level Two.

Volvo Trucks North America applies these levels systematically. “We use Kirkpatrick Level One surveys on all of our e-learnings,” Behe explained. “Then we do Level Two Kirkpatrick surveys on all of our in-person learnings, any of our learnings that have exams. But really, the goal is always to get to Kirkpatrick Level Three, and ideally to get to Level Four.”

Beyond traditional models, today’s virtual training platforms provide new insights into engagement. Data from Tripod Learning reveals striking results about engagement outcomes for learners using Class compared to traditional web conferencing tools:

• Learners in Class report being 32% less distracted and better able to follow along with instruction.
• Learners express 46% more confidence in applying newly learned skills.
• Learners feel nearly 10% more connected to their instructor after just one session.

This level of insight allows organizations to refine their training strategies, ensuring that learning experiences are more engaging and effective.

Match growth with growth

As technology continues to shape L&D, organizations must evolve their training strategies to keep pace. Virtual training is not just about efficiency—it’s about expanding opportunities for diverse, dispersed workforces while leveraging data-driven insights to improve outcomes.

Is your organization ready to harness the power of virtual training? Reach out to a Class team member today, and take the next step toward a more connected and impactful learning experience. Want to hear more from Scott and his team at Volvo? Watch the full webinar recording here and check out their Class customer story.