Virtual Training Courses: Are They Worth It?

Virtual training courses have evolved from a niche alternative into a dominant force in both corporate development and higher education. They rose to prominence, especially after 2020, becoming a mainstream method for professional development due to their flexibility and scalability.

Their rapid ascent raises a critical question for professionals and organisations alike: Are virtual training courses truly worth the investment? This article will explore different types of courses, compare their teaching methods and evaluate their effectiveness to help you make an informed decision. The primary focus will be on instructor-led training courses and the advantages they can provide for you and your business.

Defining Instructor-Led Virtual Training Courses

Instructor-Led Virtual Training (ILVT) refers to training delivered live by an instructor in an online environment, with participants joining remotely in real time. Unlike pre-recorded webinars or self-paced courses, ILVT sessions are interactive. You can ask questions, participate in discussions, work in breakout groups, and get immediate feedback from the instructor.

In essence, ILVT offers the same real-time guidance as a classroom, but via web conferencing tools. Common platforms include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WebEx, or specialised virtual classroom software. It is no surprise then that over 90% of corporations now use some type of e-learning for employee training, a massive jump from just 4% in 1995. The global e-learning market was valued at around $306 billion in 2023, with the UK market alone projected to reach £11.6 billion by 2029.

Mapping the Landscape of Virtual Training Courses

Now let’s take a look at some of the most popular types of courses available and the institutions offering them. The modern virtual training course catalogue is comprehensive, catering to a wide spectrum of professional and personal development needs. Here are some examples:

• Business and Management: This is one of the largest segments, featuring courses in Leadership, Project Management (including PMP certification prep), Sales, Human Resources, and Corporate Strategy.
• IT and Software: A rapidly growing area driven by digital transformation, this category includes deep dives into Data Science (Python, Machine Learning), Cloud Computing (Google Cloud, AWS), IT Support, and Cybersecurity.
• Creative and Design: Courses in Graphic Design, User Experience (UX) Design, Web Design, and 3D Animation are popular among those in creative industries.
• Personal Development: Often called "soft skills," this category includes crucial competencies like Communication, Personal Productivity, Time Management, and Mindfulness.
• Teaching and Academics: A meta-category for educators themselves, offering training in Online Education methodologies, Instructional Design, and Language Learning.

If you want to learn more about IT & Software courses, make sure to check out our guides:The 5 Best Online Excel Training Courses andThe Top 10 Best Power BI Training Courses.

ILTV vs On-Site Training

In contrast, on-site training (traditional classroom training) takes place face-to-face in a physical location. A trainer either comes to the organisation’s premises or the learners travel to a training facility.

This format enables direct in-person interaction, hands-on activities with physical materials or equipment, and the kind of organic networking that happens when people share a room. The core content might be similar between ILVT and on-site sessions - both are instructor-led - but the mode of delivery greatly differs between the two.

Abalanced evaluation reveals that both on-site and virtual training courses possess distinct strengths and weaknesses. The optimal choice depends on the specific goals, budget, and context of the training initiative. Here are a few things to consider:

Overall, the future of effective training lies not in an either/or choice, but in a strategic and thoughtful blended learning approach. The most successful organisations will not abandon one format for the other but will instead integrate them.

The Benefits of Virtual Training Courses for Teams and Organisations

The data is unequivocal: investing in employee development is one of the most effective strategies for talent retention and engagement.92% of employees agree that well-planned training programs have a positive impact on their engagement at work.

Online training offers several key advantages that make it the preferred model for modern corporate L&D:

• Cost-Effectiveness
• Scalability and Consistency
• Flexibility and Efficiency

For organisations, virtual training has emerged as the most powerful tool for boosting the digital literacy of their workforce. Interested to learn more aboutdigital literacy? We have written a comprehensive guide on its significance for businesses and what you can do today to guarantee your team is adequately trained and prepared for the future.

How to Get Started with Virtual Training

If you’re an organisation just getting started with virtual training courses, here is a suggested step-by-step plan:

1. Assess needs & goals: Define outcomes, target audiences, compliance must-haves, and whether you need broad libraries or custom content to guide platform and content choices. ATraining Needs Analysis is an excellent place to start – check our guide for more advice.
2. Secure leadership & budget: Guarantee funding for your team by highlighting cost savings, scalability, consistency, and personalisation to drive adoption.
3. Pick platform & content mix: Trial LMS options for usability, integrations, reporting, and cost; start hybrid (licensed library + a few custom modules) with clear success metrics.
4. Pilot first: Test with a small group to uncover tech or content issues, gather testimonials, and create champions before scaling.
5. Launch & promote: Announce with leadership backing, clear access steps, support, and a live demo; manager involvement is critical (uptake strongly correlates with management support).
6. Monitor & iterate: Track participation, survey learners, fix bottlenecks, and celebrate wins while tying outcomes to business impact to sustain momentum.
7. Maintain compliance: Automate refreshers, keep content current, and assign ownership so mandatory training stays accurate and on schedule.
8. Scale & integrate: Link learning to performance goals, HR dashboards, and role-based paths to embed continuous learning across the organisation.

Essential Tools and Technologies for Instructor-Led Virtual Teaching

Delivering virtual training courses online also relies on an ecosystem of digital tools and technologies. Understanding these essential components is crucial for anyone looking to participate in, create, or implement virtual learning.

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Prioritise courses that run on a clear, user-friendly LMS where you can find modules, submit work, take quizzes, and track certificates in one place. Ask whether the provider uses a single hub or juggles several platforms - nearly 49% of companies use multiple learning platforms, which can hurt consistency.

Video Conferencing & Virtual Classrooms

For live learning, check that the course uses robust platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or specialist tools such as Adobe Connect. Webinars are a dominant format -41% of organisations use webinar software for training delivery. Confirm the provider actually leverages interactive features rather than just streaming a lecture.

Content Creation & Presentation Tools

Seek courses that use familiar slide tools (PowerPoint, Google Slides) alongside interactive elements, not just static decks. Look for interactive video (EdPuzzle, H5P) and e-learning authoring (Articulate, Captivate) that build branching scenarios, quizzes, and simulations. A good sign is when the provider mentions collaborative docs (Google Docs/Sheets) for live co-creation and resource sharing.

Communication & Collaboration Platforms

Choose virtual training courses that go beyond email with persistent chat and forums for quick questions and peer support. Many providers integrate class spaces in Slack or Microsoft Teams, and over 57% of organisations now connect tools like Teams or Slack to their learning platforms to boost collaboration. Ask how discussions are organised and whether there are social spaces for informal connection.

Cloud Platforms & Virtual Lab Environments

If you’re learning technical skills, verify that hands-on labs are included—ideally on managed environments in Google Cloud, AWS, or Azure so you don’t have to install software. For instance, Google Cloud Skills Boost provides sandbox labs and guided “quests” where you can configure services in real time.

Immersive Technologies (VR/AR)

For training that benefits from 3D, spatial, or “learning by doing,” look for courses experimenting with VR/AR alongside standard tools. This is a growing trend - 11% of organisations already use VR/AR or AI chatbots in L&D, with another 12% planning to implement them. Even if optional, VR/AR can supercharge areas like safety training, equipment operation, or soft-skills role-play with realistic practice.

If you are looking to boost your Excel,Power BI orSQL skills, Future Savvy’s instructor-led virtual training courses have you covered. Whether you’re starting out or levelling up, our expert coaches meet you where you are.

Innovative Approaches: ChatGPT, Generative AI, and Emerging EdTech

No discussion of modern training is complete without addressing the impact of artificial intelligence – particularly generative AI – on education. So, what are the innovative approaches involving generative AI and other emerging EdTech?

• Faster, always-updated content: Virtual training courses using generative AI refresh materials rapidly - objectives, outlines, even full modules can be produced in minutes to hours rather than days to weeks,” notes Dr. David Metcalf. That means you get current examples, videos, and case studies, not stale slides.
• Personalised, on-demand help: AI chatbots act like a “universal trainer… always there,”says Donald Clark, giving explanations the moment you’re stuck. Platforms also adapt paths and recommend courses (the “Netflix of learning”) based on your role, history, and skill gaps.
• Realistic practice with feedback: AI role-plays simulate sales calls, feedback conversations, or tech tasks and then coach you on tone, missed points, or code quality. As Training Magazine highlights, tools like ChatGPT “coach and provide feedback… at the learner’s convenience,” accelerating skill growth.
• Smarter courseware and assessments: Apps like Duolingo and Babbel use GPT-4 for free-form conversation with real-time correction, while AI generates varied question sets and grades open-ended work faster. You get more practice, quicker feedback, and assessments tailored to your level.

Virtual Training Courses: Credentials and Certifications

Two of the most profound outcomes of the educational technology revolution are the ability to tailor learning experiences to the individual at an unprecedented scale and the corresponding shift toward verifiable, skill-based credentials. Therefore, we now turn our attention to the rise of micro-credentials.

• Value for Learners: For individuals, digital credentials offer a granular and dynamic way to showcase their capabilities. Instead of relying on a broad degree, a learner can display a portfolio of specific, validated skills on their professional profiles (like LinkedIn), resumes, and personal websites.
• Value for Employers: In a job market that is increasingly shifting toward skill-based hiring, micro-credentials provide a quick, reliable, and tamper-proof method for verifying an applicant's competencies. Up to 96% of employers say that micro-credentials strengthen a job application, and about 90% are even willing to offer higher starting salaries to candidates who have relevant micro-credentials or badges.

Some examples of valued virtual training course credentials include:

• Industry certifications: Such as AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Microsoft’s Azure certificates, Cisco’s CCNA, etc.
• Professional certificates by companies: Google Career Certificates (IT Support, Data Analytics, Project Management, etc.) delivered via Coursera.
• University-backed online certificates: e.g. LSE’s online certificate in HR, University of Leeds’ online micro-credential in Sustainability, etc. These carry university branding and sometimes credit.
• CPD and compliance certificates: Many UK professions require CPD (Continuous Professional Development) points. This is particularly useful for sectors like education, healthcare, and finance, where regulatory compliance training is mandatory.

Getting started with instructor-led virtual training courses involves careful planning and change management, but by following best practices and learning from others’ experiences, even organisations new to e-learning can achieve excellent results. The key is to start small, get it right, and then scale up, all while ensuring support for learners and compliance needs are met. Done well, virtual training will not only meet mandatory requirements but also cultivate a culture of continuous learning.

Contact us today to learn more about how experienced instructors can help you and your team take your business to the next level!