The IT world changes daily. A broad-based education in any IT field serves as a strong base for work in that field. However, it cannot by itself keep up with emerging technologies and security threats that appear or grow constantly.

Spending time away from work can sometimes be a challenge. Fortunately, e-learning courses help bridge the gap, allowing individuals and organizations to gain current knowledge on their own schedules. The availability of this kind of education allows IT professionals to work while keeping up with trends that will enhance their performance.

Fostering Career Growth

Employment in IT fields, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is expected to grow 12 percent in the next decade. This growth expectation comes not just from a need for more bodies, but from emerging and growing technologies like cloud computing, data storage, and security threats. Companies need people who understand technology not only as it exists now, but as it moves over time.

To keep up with this demand, e-learning offers the ability for IT professionals to learn about new technologies and trends as they arise. New courses become available as new needs arise, allowing you to focus on the information that is most critical to you.

At the same time, e-learning courses offer certification of the knowledge they present. For employees, this confirms a skill set and knowledge base that you can use to perform increasingly important roles in the workplace. And for employers, e-learning certifications help identify the right people for these roles as new needs emerge in your organization.

Convenient Education Opportunities

The other side of e-learning that benefits working professionals and the companies in which they work is the convenience of the educational presentation. E-learning allows you to "attend" classes on your own time, whether that time involves scheduled learning during the work day or time in the evening hours. When you balance work and family life, continuing education can be difficult. E-learning programs allow students to plan coursework and lectures around existing schedules for flexibility and convenience.

Besides the time advantages, e-learning turns the world into a virtual classroom. Traditional educational environments require everyone to convene at the same time, in the same place. In an e-learning environment, though, you can gather students at all different times and in multiple locations to learn what they need to know. The model accepts that you have a life to lead and lets you plan your learning for the time and place it works best for you.

Organization-Level Development

All of these conveniences also make e-learning an excellent solution for your organization-level education. One of the difficult aspects of IT functions is that someone always needs to be on the job. Your company's employees cannot all be sequestered in a classroom while tech malfunctions, malicious hackers, and user errors constantly threaten the integrity of your systems. Letting your IT staff learn key new information on a staggered schedule that ensures the coverage you need helps ensure no one falls behind on key learnings, while at the same time, allowing your organization to function with the safety of key employees always at the ready.

On either an individual or an organizational level, IT professionals stand to benefit immensely from e-learning opportunities. To learn more about how Infotec can help you achieve your educational goals, contact us today.