Insights · Translation Industry
The Symbiotic Surge of eLearning and Translation
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Bridging Borders: The Symbiotic Surge of eLearning and Translation
The Boom of eLearning and Translation
The seismic shift towards remote working in 2020 marked a pivotal moment for the global workforce. Whilst ‘WFH’ began as a ‘necessary COVID restriction’, it quickly became a ‘preferred working practice’ for many employees worldwide. By the end of 2023, a mere 30% of UK employees remained fully on-site. They represent a significant decrease from the pre-pandemic figure of 57%.
As the preference for remote work solidified, the demand for off-site and online training solutions surged, catapulting the growth of eLearning. Valued at $250 billion at the end of 2020, ongoing trends continue to propel the industry. Businesses are continually looking to address ‘skills gaps’ caused by workforce shortages and technological advancements. Therefore, employees are actively seeking to upskill to remain relevant in the rapidly changing job market.
Research and Market’s 2024 ‘Translation Services Global Market Report’ forecasts that the translation industry will grow by 4.1% this year. According to this source, the industries estimated value will be $24.79 billion. Notably, the surge in online education and eLearning emerges as a driving force behind the translation market’s expansion. This trend exemplified by a rapid increase in M.O.O.C (Massive Open Online Course) sign-ups.
Multilingual Training: Why Businesses Bother
Companies around the world are investing in multilingual training courses for several compelling reasons. Firstly, for companies with diverse or global workforces, translating eLearning materials is essential to ensure they are accessible and comprehensible to their workforces.
Secondly, even when diverse or global employees have good levels of English, corporate training can still be improved with translation. Companies see better employee engagement and information retention if materials are translated. CSA research even indicates that 65% of highly proficient non-native English-speaking employees prefer content in their native language.
Thirdly, because multilingual training makes upskilling initiatives accessible to non-English speaking employees and global workforces, companies boost their EDI performance as a direct result of investing in eLearning translation. This leads to better ROI on training and ultimately increased productivity amongst the workforce.
Strategic Partnerships: A Catalyst for Growth & Progress
The ‘Translation Services Global Market Report’ also identifies ‘strategic partnerships’ as a key trend in effectively addressing language barriers. Having forged a partnership with Marked Improvement in 2023, an established eLearning developer and supplier, AST Language Services anticipates the mutual growth that can be achieved by integrating eLearning and translation services.
As we navigate the evolving landscape of work and education, the symbiotic relationship between eLearning and translation services emerges as a powerful force. Said force contributes not only to the growth of industries, but also to the collective progress of global businesses and their diverse workforces.
A post by Hannah Memmott.