We’ve all seen the growing popularity of QR codes in recent years, and it’s no surprise why – these little black and white boxes of data are the perfect way to bring your customers up to speed on the latest products and services. From special discounts to new product launches, QR codes provide a convenient and engaging way to keep customers in the know.
But that’s not all they can do! You can also use QR codes to make your employee training and education program more modern and efficient. Yes, you read that right – gone are the days of boring, outdated training modules. With QR codes, you can quickly and easily provide your employees with access to training materials and resources from anywhere.
So, if you’re interested in improving your employee training, keep reading to learn more about the power of QR codes in employee training and education.
What Are QR Codes?
You’ve probably noticed a square barcode pasted to the side of a billboard, printed on a poster advertising a new product, or on the table tent of a local restaurant. That pixelated code is called a QR code, which is short for quick response.
As the name implies, QR codes provide access to detailed information in a snap. With most smartphones equipped with cameras and QR code readers, you only have to open your camera app, point it at the code, and wait for the details to appear. This quick and easy access to information makes QR codes an invaluable tool for any company looking to advance in the digital age.
While most QR code applications are well-suited for marketing or promotional purposes, they are also quite useful for other purposes, such as contactless payments, ticketing systems, and even employee training.
Benefits of QR Codes for Employee Training
If you’re new to using QR codes for employee training, you might wish to know what benefits they can offer. Here are just a few of the advantages that QR codes bring to the table:
Quick Access
A QR code gives employees quick access to content that they need. Whether it’s a user manual, online tutorial, or product demonstration video, having a QR code on hand ensures that employees have immediate access to the resources they need when they need them. This ability will also give learners a chance to review the content at their own pace, allowing them to master complex topics with ease.
Affordable and Resource-intensive
QR codes are the perfect way for resource-strapped businesses to create digital learning experiences on a budget. They require minimal setup and resource investment but are also incredibly affordable to produce and distribute. This allows businesses to create engaging and effective learning experiences without breaking the bank or exhausting their resource capacity.
Track Learner’s Actions
After all the effort you’ve put into creating an engaging learning experience, you’ll naturally want to see how employees interact with the content. With dynamic QR codes, companies can track which training materials are accessed and how often. This info can greatly assist material creators in assessing learner engagement and making informed decisions on how best to optimize employee education programs in the future.
Integrating Brand and Learning with QR Codes
QR codes improve access to training resources and connect employees with broader brand initiatives, making training feel relevant to the company’s larger goals.
For example, companies that use influencer marketing can leverage QR codes to link employees directly to real-life case studies or curated content showing successful influencer collaborations, or even instructions on how to book event space for relevant training sessions. By combining QR codes with the best influencer search tools, companies offer employees a deeper understanding of brand voice and impact, adding another layer of engagement to the training process. This strategic use of QR codes and an influencer search tool enriches the learning experience, making it both practical and brand-aligned.
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Security and Privacy Concerns
When using QR codes for employee training, it’s essential to consider the security and privacy of shared information. Since QR codes can link to sensitive data, such as internal resources or confidential training materials, it’s crucial to ensure they are generated securely and accessed only by authorized personnel. Companies should select QR code generators with strong security features and, where possible, password-protect any content that may require restricted access.
Additionally, to avoid unauthorized sharing, organizations can use dynamic QR codes that allow for content updates and tracking while limiting access to employees. By addressing security and privacy concerns, companies can use QR codes confidently, knowing their training materials remain protected and accessible only to those who need them.
Ways to Employ QR Codes for Employee Training
Of course, you’ll need to get creative when it comes to actually implementing QR codes into your employee training program. Here are a few ideas that can help you get started:
Create a Blended Learning Experience
Blended learning combines independent and mentored training, enabling students to learn using multiple styles like microlearning. By incorporating QR codes into employee training programs, businesses can create a unique learning experience that combines the best of both worlds.
For example, an employer could provide a QR code that links to an online tutorial or resource on the topic under discussion. This allows employees to access additional information at their own pace, providing a more comprehensive learning experience. This type of blended learning environment can be a great way to facilitate employee learning without sacrificing the quality of education.
Simulate Real-World Scenarios
QR codes can simulate real-world scenarios that are difficult to replicate in the traditional classroom environment. For example, a company might want to educate its sales staff on a product’s features and benefits before it hits the sales floor. Using QR codes, they can create a virtual demonstration that allows employees to experience what it’s like to handle different questions and objections a customer might pose in a safe, controlled setting. This exercise helps employees get familiar with the product before facing a live sales situation.
In fields like construction, QR codes can link directly to a construction project tracker, giving on-site teams instant access to project updates, safety protocols, and task lists. A QR code placed at each job site can connect workers to real-time information in the construction project tracking system, ensuring everyone has the latest details on timelines and tasks. This setup simulates a live project environment and keeps all team members aligned and informed.
You can also set up QR codes that text staff members when scanned, facilitating real-world conversation training or modeling customer responses.
Reduce Clutter
QR codes also excel at reducing clutter in training materials. Instead of printing out lengthy manuals and documents, trainers can simply attach QR codes to the materials, giving employees instant access to additional resources.
For instance, let’s say a company wants to create an executive leadership development program for its young leaders. Instead of printing out long-winded guides, trainers can attach a QR code to each course module and provide learners instant access to additional materials, like reading assignments, video lessons, and case studies. This keeps the materials organized, reduces clutter, and minimizes printing costs.
QR codes can also help you reduce the amount of clutter in your coaching programs. These reusable training frameworks aggregate all your coach’s or trainer’s main lessons, resources, and tips in one place. And since these signature programs tend to be packed with lots of content, they can easily end up looking messy and disorganized. But with QR codes, trainers can organize the content into easily scannable sections, giving their students a flawless learning experience.
Gamify the Learning Process
One of the most engaging aspects of QR codes is their ability to bring a fun, interactive element to training through gamification. Trainers can use QR codes to incorporate quizzes, puzzles, or even mini-challenges into training modules, encouraging employees to actively participate in their own learning rather than passively absorbing information. For instance, employees could scan a QR code to access a quiz at the end of a training session, where successful completion earns them points or rewards.
To take it a step further, consider implementing team challenges or milestone rewards that make training a collaborative, goal-oriented experience. For example, employees could work in groups to scan QR codes placed in different locations around the office or training site, each leading to new tasks or questions. This “QR code treasure hunt” encourages teamwork and exploration, making the learning process more engaging and memorable.
You could also create a leaderboard where employees accumulate points by scanning codes and completing associated tasks, fostering friendly competition and adding an extra incentive to engage with the training material. By creatively gamifying the learning experience with QR codes, companies can turn traditional training into a dynamic, interactive process that keeps employees motivated and invested.
Post-course Just-In-Time Training
Often, learners leave a training session with a wealth of knowledge, only to forget some key points by the time they need to apply them. That’s why QR codes are such a great tool for offering just-in-time training after the course concludes.
By placing QR codes at strategic points around the office, employers can provide employees with quick, easy access to additional training materials when they need it most. For example, if an employee is having trouble remembering how to operate a piece of certain machinery, a QR code pasted on it can link to an online tutorial that refreshes their memory.
Refresh Outdated Materials
Finally, QR codes make it easy to update training materials without having to go through the time-consuming process of reprinting everything. The corporate world is constantly changing, so if you want your company leaders and employees to stay on top of the latest developments, you’ll need to keep your training materials up-to-date with the new emerging trends.
QR codes make it easy to update materials on the fly without having to reprint or update the current documents. Instead, trainers can simply attach a QR code to the existing materials and provide access to additional resources related to new trends or technologies.
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QR Code Design and Placement Tips
Consider how and where you place QR codes in employee training to maximize their effectiveness. QR codes should be easy to locate and scan, especially in environments where employees need quick access to information.
Placing QR codes in common areas, like break rooms or entryways, can increase visibility for general resources. Attach QR codes directly to relevant equipment or workstations for task-specific training, ensuring that employees can conveniently access important information on-site.
Additionally, ensure your QR code’s design is optimized for usability. Use a high-contrast color scheme, like black on white, to provide easy scanning and keep the size large enough for smartphones to capture quickly. Testing the placement and design in various lighting conditions and distances can also prevent scanning issues.
By carefully designing and positioning QR codes, you create a seamless and user-friendly experience that enhances the training process.
Steps to Create a QR Code for Employee Training Programs
Now that we’ve covered some of the reasons why QR codes are a great idea for employee training, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of actually setting up a code. Here are the steps:
#1: Decide What Type of Educational Material You’ll Encode
Start by identifying the type of educational materials you want to encode. This could be anything from a video tutorial to a publication or even a web page with more detailed information.
#2: Choose a QR code Generator
QR code generators come in all shapes and sizes. Some generators are free, while others require a small fee to access their services. Do your research and find one that’s secure, reliable, and has the features you need.
#3 Specify the Type of QR Code
You’ll need to choose the type of QR code that best fits your educational material requirements. Most QR code generators allow you to select between different types of codes, including text, URL, or PDF. Choose the format that best fits your content.
#4: Input the Required Information
Next, the generator will ask you to upload the content you want to embed in the code or link to it. Some may also offer options to customize your QR code’s design and layout. These features can make your code stand out and easier to find.
#5: Generate Your Code and Print or Download It
Once you’ve completed all the necessary steps, your code should be ready to use. You can print it out or download it depending on where you plan to display it.
#6: Test Your Code and Make Sure Everything Works Properly
You don’t want to have any surprises when your employees scan the code, so test it yourself first. Scan the code with your phone or tablet and verify that it works and leads to the right material. Once you’ve tested it and everything is working as expected, you’re good to go!
And that’s all there is to it! With a QR code generator and a few easy steps, you can start using QR codes to streamline employee education and get your team up to speed quickly.
Simplify Training and Boost Engagement
Using QR codes in employee training is a smart, simple way to keep your team learning on the go. By adding these scannable codes to your training resources, you can give employees instant access to key information right when they need it, whether it’s a refresher on a process or new skills to explore.
QR codes make training feel more flexible and less formal, creating a smoother, more interactive learning experience that fits right into their day-to-day work.
Start by adding a few QR codes to your next training session or resource. You’ll see how easily they streamline access to important materials, saving time and reducing clutter. With this small addition, you’re giving your team a faster, easier way to learn — helping them grow while keeping things fresh and relevant.