Field employees, such as sales agents, workers or nurses, are essential to the daily functioning of businesses. They are waiting for training practices, flexible and directly applicable to their missions to develop their skills and progress professionally
Lack of time, unsuitable formats... Field workers face numerous obstacles in accessing training. To remedy this, Beedeez and IFOP are exploring ways to better support them.
They are the people who were called “first in line” during the pandemic, these shadow workers who suddenly became essential, to whom we owe much more than we think. Whether they are sales agents, workers, or nurses, field workers face serious obstacles to training. However, according to a Beedeez-IFOP study, 80% of these professionals see training as an essential tool for career development. The problem? Formats that are often unsuited to their reality and a lack of time to train continuously.
Who are the field workers and what are their needs?
Field workers are the pros who move: workers, sales agents, socio-medical staff... in short, those who make the machine work far from the offices.
In France, they form a significant part of assets. Often young, field workers are essential links in our economy.
The paradox? Their level of qualification is often more limited: 64% of them do not have a diploma, and almost one in 5 has not taken training in the last six years. A reality that, for most, is not a choice.
For field workers the vocational training is an essential lever for developing their business and their profile: 80% of respondents see it as a way to boost their skills, and 81% believe that it is essential for professional growth. However, numerous obstacles further complicate equitable access to training.
Training formats that are not always adapted to the realities of the field
Despite strong demand, training resources are struggling to adapt to the specific needs of field workers. According to the latter, classical courses mainly lack practical learning: 63% say that asking questions to colleagues directly in the field is the best way to learn.
As for training via short and mobile content, ideal for integrating into daily life, they remain rare or underestimated: 61% of respondents have never had access to this type of format. So What is the most suitable content for field teams ?
Another impressive fact is the fact that the time devoted to training varies greatly depending on the sector, qualification and size of the company. On average, field workers are entitled to 25 hours of training per year, but for employees of small businesses (less than 20 people) or with a low level of qualification, this time decreases considerably, limiting the access of the less qualified to a higher level of competence.
Training: a driver of commitment and employability
Giving access to training is also a way of retaining these essential professionals: 76% say that it allows them to project themselves into their business, and 80% say they feel that they are progressing thanks to it. Access to adapted training could therefore become a major argument for retaining these talents in companies seeking stability.
In addition, the training allows you to dream further. According to the study, field workers who have completed more than six courses in the last six years say they are much more confident in their chances of changing jobs if necessary. For them, training is not only a way to progress: it becomes an assurance of mobility and security in an increasingly competitive job market.
Towards adapted solutions: mobile phones as a training tool
Among the possibilities for making training accessible to all, one stands out clearly: access to mobile and continuous content that is easy to consult at any time. Although 84% of respondents find face-to-face training appropriate, 69% show a growing interest in mobile.
E-learning platforms, fun video applications... Flexible formats, which could finally meet the needs of field workers and remove time and travel constraints.
While training remains an essential lever for field workers, current career paths show their limits. Offering adapted paths, in particular through short and easily accessible content, would be a way for companies to improve the engagement and employability of workers.
Enough to give them the means to project themselves, without limiting their professional horizons!
