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Learning content. To build it or to buy it?

Blog posts | 09.03.2021
Sally-Tutill

Sally Tutill

Nurture Marketing Specialist at Kineo AU

That is the question.  The answer will depend on the training need and its complexity. There is mandatory training to satisfy compliance. And then learning that provides knowledge that fills gaps that your workers need and bridges development gaps they want.

When approaching workplace elearning for your workers there is a bountiful supply of workplace learning provider options. Once you’ve chosen a provider, you can simply plug in and play course titles to address your workplace needs. Typical topics cover compliance and key trainings in the areas of Work Health & Safety, Ethics & Conduct, Heath Care, Leadership and Management and Personal Development.

L&D and HR leaders are constantly challenged to ensure workplace compliance to keep individuals safe and informed on workplace practices. Add to that skills development and learning measurement.

When is it pertinent to buy learning content and when does it make sense to build it inhouse?

Off the shelf digital training serves a large audience on a wide spectrum of workplace topics.  However, if you would like elearning customised to your needs and audience, that fits in seamlessly with your L&D strategic plans, you can build it, so it's fit for purpose. As it’s important to get it right for organisations to realise behavioural change, here are some tips to assist with decision making.

Tips for buying digital workplace training

These pointers will steer you on your way with whether to buy or to build, as recommended one subject at a time - and with your audience in mind.

Buy it:

  • Ready-made content meets your requirements - Wide range of subjects to choose from 
  • Insufficient/none learning development resource inhouse   
  • Standard workplace content fits your business needs  
  • It’s cost effective  
  • External experts can support you in shaping a course/s – and wider learning strategy  
  • You need the training to be deployed quickly  
  • Inhouse legal resources ensure key and current legislative facts are accurate and presented in simple terms  
  • Endorsement from industry leaders  
  • Peace of mind that subject matter experts have collaborated on the learning content

Build It:

  • You have unique requirements. It could be, for example to support the launch of a new product or to onboard new staff.   
  • There are large workforce training needs  
  • An internal L&D team can meet all your requirements 
  • Build in elements that represent the company culture and branding  
  • It’s worth the investment and a better fit for e.g. onboarding process. Choose design complexity  
  • There is a solid learning strategy in place  
  • Speed of training delivery is not a critical factor  
  • Be sure your learning content is reviewed by an authorised entity for legal accuracy  
  • Ability to showcase your own company user stories (e.g. onboarding, real-life situation handling scenarios)  
  • Customization can help collaboration and community building across siloed departments

If you are ready to have a chat with us about your training needs, we’d be delighted to hear from you.   

Sally-Tutill

Sally Tutill

Nurture Marketing Specialist at Kineo AU


Since the year immemorial Sally has exercised an avid passion for creativity with words, images and Pilates.  She is most content in the workplace when crafting enticing messages that inspire and engage.