Complete Guide For MLSs
In today’s corporate Learning and Development (L&D) sector, rapid changes are happening all the time. There is a greater demand for companies to deliver powerful training programs that are both efficient and measurable. while the major challenges are the shortage of skills, fast digitalization, and the necessity of workforce agility. Managed learning services (MLSs) are the most strategic choice to transform the training function altogether. Today, MLSs are considered to be a key component for L&D leaders, even as enterprises are met with a situation where the supply of talent is decreasing, they are forced to digitalize rapidly, and their labor force must be agile.
Managed learning services have quickly offered a solution for L&D leaders who need to gear the business performance track through learning. This article acquaints us with the concept of managed learning services, their principle components, advantages, and the reasons why market leaders introduce them.
What Are Managed Learning Services?
Outsourcing end-to-end Learning and Development operations to an external provider is called employing managed learning services. The service provider takes care of everything from strategy to content development, delivery, administration, analytics, and vendor choice. MLSs revolve around infusing the Learning and Development function with expertise, technology, and the economies of scale available, while internal talent caters to the strategic part and does not deal with task execution.
It is estimated that by using managed learning services, organizations are able to cut the amount of money they spend on training by 23% and improve the quality of training by 34% in just 18 months. A report from Training Industry (2024) says, “Organizations using managed learning services reported a 23% reduction in training costs and a 34% improvement in training quality within 18 months of implementation.”
Core Components Of MLSs
Although organizations might request that each MLS partnership be shaped to meet the specific objectives of their organization, most providers usually offer a mix of the following services:
1. Learning Strategy And Consulting
The primary MLS providers supply strategic consulting services that are not only in agreement with the company’s business goals but also are closely related to the learning initiatives. It is the combination of these consultancies on capability and competency audits, learning needs analysis, and L&D transformation road maps that constitute strategic consulting services.
2. Instructional Design And Content Development
Providers of managed learning services create or curate high-quality learning content that is not only tailored but also flexible and aligns perfectly with company needs and employee preferences, and can also be delivered through different modern modalities like microlearning, gamification, and mobile learning.
3. Training Delivery And Facilitation
Learning services that are managed are capable of providing both virtual and in-person Instructor-Led Training (VILT and ILT). There are also blended learning solutions that are flexible and scalable.
4. Learning Administration
MLS handles all the back end of training logistics. The role of learning administration is extensive, ranging from the scheduling of courses and enrollment of students to communication with students, feedback collection, and providing assistance through helpdesk support.
5. Technology And Platform Support
Additionally, an MLS partner would not only administrate platforms like Learning Management Systems (LMSs) and Learning Experience Platforms (LXPs) but also ensure that all the learners have the best learning experience, which is hassle-free and with usable reports.
6. Vendor And Supplier Management
Businesses often utilize a variety of training vendors. The MLS also deals with the obstacles of procurement, negotiations, vendor performance tracking, and contract management.
7. Analytics And Reporting
With the help of powerful data analytics, outsourced learning administrations can provide data not only on the performance of the learners but also on the company’s cost per learner, learner’s satisfaction, and company output.
Why Are L&D Leaders Investing In Managed Learning Services?
The benefits of partnering with an MLS provider extend beyond cost-efficiency. Here are the key advantages that are motivating L&D leaders to make the switch:
1. Scalability And Flexibility
Managed learning services are actually one of the best options for companies that want to invest in the most efficient manner to offer learning to everyone at at their convenience for their personal development. Your company can use MLS to achieve high learning gain and eliminate your company’s carbon footprint.
2. Accelerated Time-To-Competency
By leveraging expert Instructional Designers and content creators, MLS providers help reduce the time needed to upskill employees. According to Deloitte, organizations using managed services experience a 35% faster onboarding process.
3. Cost Optimization
By centralizing learning operations and leveraging technology, companies save significantly on administrative overheads, instructor fees, and technology maintenance. A report from Brandon Hall Group found that organizations using MLS reduce training costs by an average of 22%.
4. Access To Cutting-Edge Technology
The primary service providers have learning tools at the highest level of technological advancements., that may be too expensive or complicated for the organizations to invest in on their own.
When An Organization Should Consider MLSs
The following are the situations where a company should consider adopting managed learning services as part of its learning strategy:
- Your internal L&D team is overloaded with admin tasks.
- Training needs are growing exponentially due to corporate expansion or evolving technology.
- There’s no one in the company who is familiar with technology in the areas of AR/VR, AI, and gamification.
- Training is being carried out differently in different departments or regions.
- The organization lacks clarity on learning outcomes and Return On Investment.
Choosing The Right Managed Learning Services Provider
The effectiveness of your MLS partnership is determined by selecting the best fit for your company as your provider. Below are factors to take into account:
- Industry experience
Pick a specialist who has worked in your line of business. - Personalization
Confirm with the provider that the solutions they are going to provide will be custom-made rather than already on the shelves. - Technology adoption
Your MLS business need not be in the same field as you, but if the service provider includes the technology area of your business you will be even better off. - Worldwide operations
If you are a company operating in multiple countries, it is a must that your provider has the ability to serve you in all the countries you are in. - Data and analytics
Inquire about the provider’s ability to provide you with data to track your performance indicators, as well as the services provided. - Scalability
See if they can grow with any changes in your requirements for the future.
Case In Point: A Global Example
One of the top 500 manufacturers cooperated with the leading managed learning services provider to bring about a global training standard in 15 countries. In a year, the company was able to disclose the following:
- Improvement of 27% in employee productivity
- Reduction of 40% in compliance training costs
- 4 times faster deployment of technical training programs
These points are a clear demonstration of the positive effects that managed learning services can have on huge and complex global enterprises.
The Future Of MLSs
The learner demands-based approach to the learning process and the business alignment of learning have made the managed learning services the next developmental phase. MLS will further expand by introducing AI-based learning customization, harnessing AR/VR technology to provide immersive experiences, and offering in-time skills analytics. Moreover, companies will take up the trend of using learning as a strategic tool to amplify/boost their growth instead of relegating it to a supporting role only. Therefore, managed learning services will be considered the implementation core, which frees up L&D teams tom think strategically.
Conclusion
In a world driven by agility, upskilling, and innovation, the competitive advantage that managed learning services provide is a full-scale and strategic impact solution for the modern L&D landscape. By being open to MLS, professionals in the corporate learning industry can optimize operations, improve learner outcomes, and bring training in line with business priorities.
With well-documented advantages, like lower costs, shorter training time, and more effective learner participation, managed learning services are not only an outsourcing trend but also are the main driver for a business-wide transformation. The future is owned by those who prepare for it now. Managed learning services aid organizations by creating training ecosystems that are scalable, data-driven, and learner-focused.