DIGITAL TRAINING

Why digital training is

increasing increasing

globally

Digital learning is the future. As more organisations use technology to make learning and training more convenient for their employees, the shift from classroom to online is well on the rise. Even before COVID-19 swept across the globe and forced organisations to work from home, some businesses started increasing their digital learning and training budgets to keep staff upskilled, engaged and motivated.

The World Economic Forum reports that in 2019, more than US$18 billion was invested in language apps, virtual training, video conferencing tools and online learning software, to improve digital training. And since the pandemic erupted, digital training has become even more crucial as organisations quickly realised the key benefits digital learning and training offers employees and stakeholders. These include:

More flexibility: Employees can learn in their own time, at their own pace with tools they already have.

Increased information retention: With learning moments presented interactively, learning is more fun and easier to remember than static workbooks and traditional testing strategies.

Less time: Digital learning means no travelling or all-day learning sessions, which are time-consuming, costly, demanding on staff, and which can, in the short term, reduce productivity.

Cost-effective: Digital learning cuts expenses linked to in-person learning and training, such as printing of material, travelling and accommodation costs. Organisations can save money and enjoy the benefits of increased employee productivity ultimately resulting in higher profitability.

“We have seen the increased demands for digital learning and training, and the G&G ADVC solution

meets these needs,” said Michael Gullan, co-founder and Managing Director of G&G ADVC.

“Recognising that people are time-strapped, we’ve introduced learning moments, or Content Capsules™, that can be digested in bitesized experiences. This empowers employees and stakeholders to personalise their learning opportunities, to decide how much they want to learn at any particular time,” he added.

Although access to Internet services still lacks in many parts of the developing world, the popularity and effectiveness of digital learning and training will continue even after the pandemic is over.

Here are the top trends creating a surge in digital learning and training:

Platforms are easily accessible: It’s crucial for employees to access digital learning and training opportunities easily. Platforms that offer flexible access from any device, at any time, meet the needs of employees with busy schedules. Digital learning considers that individuals learn at different paces and accommodates employees to learn at their own pace. Interactive content is a must: Informative content is no longer enough. Content has to be interesting and interactive so that employees can have an engaging and better learning experience as they navigate through the material. This interactive content can include quizzes, polls, audio clips and videos.

Learning analytics: While employees and stakeholders navigate digital learning and training platforms, organisations can monitor their progress and engagement across the programme. This will offer valuable insights and allow organisations to evaluate the success of the platform. These insights also inform decisions on how to improve learning opportunities to achieve business outcomes.

Digital learning and training trends are focused on making the experience easier and more valuable for employees and organisations. As technology advances, digital learning will only get better as technology based learning solutions respond to market needs. 

INZALO UTILITY SYSTEMS' INZALO UTILITY SYSTEMS' INZALO UTILITY SYSTEMS' GENTLEMEN OF CHANGEGENTLEMEN OF CHANGEGENTLEMEN OF CHANGE

Just 3 years ago, Inzalo Capital Holdings was unheard of. The brainchild of Sihle Ndlovu Just 3 years ago, Inzalo Capital Holdings was unheard of. The brainchild of Sihle Ndlovu Just 3 years ago, Inzalo Capital Holdings was unheard of. The brainchild of Sihle Ndlovu and Sbonelo Mazibuko, Inzalo Capital Holdings acquired the majority share in South Africa’s and Sbonelo Mazibuko, Inzalo Capital Holdings acquired the majority share in South Africa’s and Sbonelo Mazibuko, Inzalo Capital Holdings acquired the majority share in South Africa’s leading smart water management company, Utility Systems. Established in 2001, now known leading smart water management company, Utility Systems. Established in 2001, now known leading smart water management company, Utility Systems. Established in 2001, now known as Inzalo Utility Systems, it is South Africa’s Premier supplier of STS prepayment, smart water as Inzalo Utility Systems, it is South Africa’s Premier supplier of STS prepayment, smart water as Inzalo Utility Systems, it is South Africa’s Premier supplier of STS prepayment, smart water meters. In 2020, Inzalo Capital Holdings acquired majority shareholding in Inzalo UMS, and meters. In 2020, Inzalo Capital Holdings acquired majority shareholding in Inzalo UMS, and meters. In 2020, Inzalo Capital Holdings acquired majority shareholding in Inzalo UMS, and the Sebata Software Group of Companies, now known as Inzalo EMS. Recently, Inzalo Amanzi the Sebata Software Group of Companies, now known as Inzalo EMS. Recently, Inzalo Amanzi the Sebata Software Group of Companies, now known as Inzalo EMS. Recently, Inzalo Amanzi Meters became a subsidiary of Inzalo Utility Systems, allowing the group to offer turnkey Meters became a subsidiary of Inzalo Utility Systems, allowing the group to offer turnkey Meters became a subsidiary of Inzalo Utility Systems, allowing the group to offer turnkey solutions to local government. solutions to local government. solutions to local government. Driven by their passion for transformation and their history of working with municipalities, Driven by their passion for transformation and their history of working with municipalities, Driven by their passion for transformation and their history of working with municipalities, they viewed these acquisitions not just as a means of improving the empowerment credentials they viewed these acquisitions not just as a means of improving the empowerment credentials they viewed these acquisitions not just as a means of improving the empowerment credentials of these entities, but as a chance to motivate change in South Africa’s municipalities. of these entities, but as a chance to motivate change in South Africa’s municipalities. of these entities, but as a chance to motivate change in South Africa’s municipalities.

Sihle Ndlovu Sihle Ndlovu Sihle Ndlovu

Sihle Ndlovu ACMA, CGMA, holds a Masters in Business Administration, Sihle Ndlovu ACMA, CGMA, holds a Masters in Business Administration, Sihle Ndlovu ACMA, CGMA, holds a Masters in Business Administration, an advanced diploma in Management Accounting, a national Diploma in an advanced diploma in Management Accounting, a national Diploma in an advanced diploma in Management Accounting, a national Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting, a diploma in Accounting and Finance, Cost and Management Accounting, a diploma in Accounting and Finance, Cost and Management Accounting, a diploma in Accounting and Finance, and is a member of the South African Institute of Professional and is a member of the South African Institute of Professional and is a member of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants. Since 2014, Sihle served at Ilembe District Municipality and Accountants. Since 2014, Sihle served at Ilembe District Municipality and Accountants. Since 2014, Sihle served at Ilembe District Municipality and Ilembe Enterprise Development Agency, which has cultivated his desire Ilembe Enterprise Development Agency, which has cultivated his desire Ilembe Enterprise Development Agency, which has cultivated his desire to see municipalities advance towards a fi nancially independent future. to see municipalities advance towards a fi nancially independent future. to see municipalities advance towards a fi nancially independent future.

Sbonelo Mazibuko Sbonelo Mazibuko Sbonelo Mazibuko

Sbonelo Mazibuko holds a Masters in Public Administration, an Sbonelo Mazibuko holds a Masters in Public Administration, an Sbonelo Mazibuko holds a Masters in Public Administration, an honours in BSocSc: Government, Business and Ethics, and has honours in BSocSc: Government, Business and Ethics, and has honours in BSocSc: Government, Business and Ethics, and has extensive experience in fiscal resource Management, as well as extensive experience in fiscal resource Management, as well as extensive experience in fiscal resource Management, as well as budget and policy at a provincial level. His tenure as Deputy Director: budget and policy at a provincial level. His tenure as Deputy Director: budget and policy at a provincial level. His tenure as Deputy Director: Provincial Budget and Policy Management, produced Sbonelo’s Provincial Budget and Policy Management, produced Sbonelo’s Provincial Budget and Policy Management, produced Sbonelo’s desire to see self-sufficient administrations throughout the country. desire to see self-sufficient administrations throughout the country. desire to see self-sufficient administrations throughout the country.

PASSIONATE ABOUT THE PRESERVATION OF THE WORLD’S MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE ... WATER

Sihle and Sbonelo, heading the Inzalo Group, are committed to changing the face of municipalities from the groundup. Their vast knowledge and experience from working in government structures far surpass that of their competitors. Inzalo Utility Systems and Inzalo Amanzi Meters, are leaders in the field of smart water metering. Bothcompanies are BBBEE Level 1 contributors, all design and manufacturing are done in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 certification and IEC 62005-41 and 62005-51 standards, as well as Legal Metrology. Their innovative solutions provide Water Service Providers with accurate data paramount to the structuring of efficient billing systems and early leak detection.

Inzalo Amanzi meters have been leaders in locally manufactured water meters in South Africa since 2012. A Proudly South African Manufacturer and Supplier, Inzalo Amanzi Meters have been manufacturing the Amanzi Meter, as well as a variety of meter boxes that can be seen all over South Africa. Coupled with the WMD from Inzalo Utility Systems, the brand has become a formidable player in the South African Water industry.

With Municipalities across South Africa facing challenges caused by inaccurate meter readings and lack of resources to rectify this, Inzalo Utility Systems have launched their IoT offering, designed to streamline the water billing systems without altering much of the infrastructure already in place.

By utilising IoT technologies, the original Inzalo Utility systems’, STS approved, remote communication electronic Water Management Device (WMD), is transformed into a data powerhouse, transferring usage data via secure cloud to municipalities. The WMD, instrumental in the water management project that saved the City of Cape Town from Day Zero, is the same technology that municipalities can use in order to recoup revenue which they desperately need. The ability to confi gure allowances, detect tampering and be able to be used as part of a prepaid water solution, makes this the ideal solution for municipalities across South Africa.

When asked about the Inzalo vision, Sbonelo Mazibuko said, “We, at Inzalo, are committed to helping municipalities across South Africa source innovative solutions that will assist in enhancing service delivery, release optimal revenue, and conserve our most precious resources.”