In 2025, Australian businesses are increasingly recognising the value of face-to-face leadership and HR training over e-learning modules. While online training offers flexibility, “quick compliance” and refresher training, in-person sessions provide unique benefits that are crucial for developing teams and effective leaders.
This not only relates to leadership and specialised HR training, but also training on workplace policies found in the Employee Handbook such as Bullying and Harassment, Equal Opportunities, Code of Conduct and Business Ethics.
Football Australia’s integrity training policies, including Ethics and Code of Conduct, are under heightened scrutiny following recent match-fixing scandals in the A-League. Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has demanded Football Australia ban gambling on yellow cards after two separate alleged spot-fixing incidents in the past 12 months. The association also wants the governing body to return to in-person integrity training to combat match fixing. After being contacted by the ABC, Football Australia says it will start face-to-face training with A-League players this year.
PFA CEO, Mr Busch said his association had repeatedly asked the governing body to resume in-person training — which was moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Busch said the current integrity training program — which is delivered as an annual, online video seminar — did not adequately teach players about the consequences of match fixing.
Although unfortunate, this is a great example of the surge in online training over recent years not been accompanied by a proportional improvement in skill application or job performance. Employers often find that employees trained online struggle to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.
While e-learning offers flexibility, “quick compliance” and sound refresher training, face-to-face leadership and HR training remains indispensable for developing practical skills, fostering teamwork, and ensuring effective job performance – on and off the field!
Human Resource Management and Training go hand in hand: one-on-one, in small groups or at company-wide conferences. Envisage HR Solutions delivers a wide range of modular training programs tailored to our clients’ specific needs. Call us today to address your most pressing challenge.