Effective Ways To Track Employee Training Progress for 2025

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

To adjust to the new normal, more businesses are now focusing on improving the resilience of their biggest asset: their employees. According to several 2021 studies, companies worldwide consider employee training a key goal in the coming years. For instance, findings of the LinkedIn 2021 Workplace Trends Report indicate that employee upskilling and reskilling rank as the top priority for 59% of corporate learning and development (L&D) programs globally.

L&D professionals would also tell you that it’s not enough to implement employee learning courses. Companies must also learn how to track employee training progress over time. In this way, stakeholders can ensure that the L&D programs are making as much impact as possible (Kokoulina, 2020).

This article provides a guide on how to oversee training in progress or the effectiveness of employee training systems. The sections below also discuss the top reasons for tracking employee learning progress and signs your organization needs safety training tracking software.

Why track employee training progress?

Rapidly evolving industries and stiff market competition have been driving the importance of continuous learning for employees, even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The benefits of employee L&D programs have been well-documented over the years.

For instance, according to an article published by Maryville University, “Employee training and development programs are essential to the success of businesses worldwide. Not only do these programs offer opportunities for staff to improve their skills, but also for employers to enhance employee productivity and improve company culture. They also can reduce employee turnover… Voluntary employee turnover, according to the report, costs U.S. businesses more than $630 billion annually. … It’s no surprise that employees who get regular opportunities to learn, develop, and advance are more likely to stay with a company."

Given the impact of employee upskilling and reskilling on overall business success, proper program planning and implementation are crucial. Evaluating training progress is essential, too. If employees constantly ask, “What is my training progress," that means you need a process that allows HR and L&D teams to collect accurate data, address potential issues with the training methods used, and give them answers.

Top Reasons for Tracking Employee Training Progress

Below are some of the most important reasons for keeping an eye on how employees move through training programs.

You want to get exact numbers on training program attendance.
You want to find out which courses are popular among employees.
You want to track the pace at which employees learn during training and the speed at which they complete training courses.
You want to collect actual average training scores from employees themselves.
You want to get proof that employees are going through the required training.
You want to determine if the organization’s investment in training programs is paying off, through accurate data on ROI, average scores, and attendance.
You want to properly document the development and outcomes of an employee training program; this is crucial if your organization is just starting to integrate a culture of continuous learning.

As you may notice, most of these reasons involve collecting data about employees undergoing training and the training programs themselves. Learning and development teams must learn how to track employee progress in training to gain baseline data for evaluating training outcomes and determining if these programs are effective.

The data could also come in handy in convincing upper management of the positive ROI of L&D programs and that investing in employee training is important.

Should you use employee training tracking software?

For many companies, an easy way to learn how to track training progress is to use software for tracking employee training. These apps often have built-in features for metrics tracking and report generation. These features make it easier to analyze employees’ training progress and the training program’s effectiveness.

Here are some signs that your organization needs to start using employee training software:

Your L&D initiatives involve training hundreds or thousands of employees. It can be difficult to manually track the training progress of a large number of employees. Employee training software can help ensure accurate tracking of training progress, no matter the company size.

You’re creating a non-HR team dedicated to managing training initiatives. With employee training software, trainers can access and manage comprehensive, updated training records. L&D teams can learn how to track employee training records more accurately.

Your L&D programs are a collaborative effort between HR and training teams. With data from employee training software, HR and training professionals can easily update employee profiles with relevant training experience.

Your industry requires specific types of training and has protocols for ensuring training compliance. Proper documentation can come in useful in many cases, such as for complying with OSHA standards for formal safety training for employees. According to Mann (2019), many inspectors check employee safety training records during compliance audits.

You have to comply with GDPR standards and other employee data privacy regulations. Using employee training software, organizations can make sure they comply with data privacy standards, especially since training programs often collect sensitive employee data (Toolbox, n.d.).

That said, not all businesses will be able to make the most of dedicated employee training software. Small and medium businesses with fewer employees may be able to monitor employee training through simpler processes and tools.

How can advanced academic qualifications enhance employee training tracking?

Leveraging advanced academic qualifications can refine strategic approaches to employee training tracking. Professionals with research-based expertise apply analytical methods to design robust tracking metrics, ensuring training outcomes align with broader organizational strategies. Advanced studies promote the integration of evidence‑based practices that optimize training evaluations and foster continuous improvement. For instance, pursuing an online EdD equips leaders with insights to implement systemic changes that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and long‑term effectiveness in training tracking initiatives.

Ways to Track Employee Training Progress

If you’re planning to implement training courses for your organization’s employees, you have several options for tracking employees’ training progress. These options are discussed in detail below.

1. Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets work great for trainers who want to learn how to track employee training records in a no-fuss, low-tech environment. All you’d have to do is create a spreadsheet for recording relevant training data, such as employee details, courses available, and assessment scores.

Each time an employee completes training, you can update this training log so it reflects the most up-to-date data. The spreadsheet should also contain details such as employee feedback and survey results, should you use surveys to gather feedback during the course (Simplilearn, 2017).

Though they’re not exactly cutting-edge, spreadsheets are a low-cost solution to tracking employee training. Most spreadsheet programs, like Excel and Google Sheets, also provide a variety of sorting and filtering features. These features make it easier to view which employees have completed training courses.

Additionally, spreadsheet programs don’t take up as many technological resources as dedicated employee training tracking tools would.

2. Learning management software

Learning management software can prove to be valuable tools for implementing and tracking employee training programs. Companies can use the software to deliver training courses, particularly elearning programs. Most LMS are designed as all-in-one platforms, serving as centralized solutions for delivering courses and assigning these to employees.

As such, these apps gather relevant training data in one place for easier access. You’ll be able to view employee training progress in real-time through dashboards. The availability of data gathered by LMS tools also makes it easier for L&D professionals to analyze how each employee is progressing through courses.

Most LMS can also easily generate reports on metrics, such as completion rate and employee attendance. This data tracking feature comes in handy for complying with training standards on documentation.

3. Employee training tracking software

You also have the option to use a dedicated tracking training for employees. Compared to LMS, employee training tracker software often offer more comprehensive features for monitoring training metrics. For instance, the software can provide detailed per-course statistics on metrics such as average completion time, number of attendees, and start and finish dates (World Manager, n.d.). If your training courses include assessment tests, you can also drill down into scores for each assessment test.

These comprehensive tracking capabilities provide a more accurate picture of how employees fare during training courses. With these numbers, L&D professionals can more easily spot issues and adjust training methods accordingly.

4. Training management systems

Companies can also use specialized HR training tracking software to track employee training progress. This software mostly provides advanced administrative features that L&D teams can use before launching training programs. As such, these systems include features for budgeting, resource management, and booking management (Kokoulina, 2020).

Training management systems are typically designed to monitor a wide variety of training courses, from live training and webinars to self-paced, asynchronous learning sessions. This flexibility makes training management systems a good choice for many organizations and enterprises.

Key Metrics to Measure in Employee Training

An LMS or a safety training tracking system can track nearly every aspect of employee training programs. For your tracking efforts to be most effective, though, it’s best to focus on some key metrics.

Progress rate or time spent Understandably, you want to keep an eye on how quickly or slowly employees are moving through training programs. This metric typically reveals exactly how much time employees spend on completing a training course. If you notice employees taking too long to complete a course, consider using strategies like gamification to boost motivation.

Completion rates This is one of the most important metrics to look out for. This metric indicates how many employees have taken a certain course and completed it. These numbers can be indicative of factors such as the quality of course content and levels of employee engagement.

Repeat training rates Aside from completion rates, you also want to look at the numbers of employees whose assessment scores don’t meet the training program’s standards. The data may indicate the need to make course content easier for employees to digest.

Assessment scores To get an accurate picture of employees’ training progress, you also want to track the scores they get on courses’ quizzes and tests. Pre-training and post-training tests provide an objective way to quantify employees’ progress (Colman, 2021). Consistently low scores may indicate a need to improve course material or training methods used. An advantage of using LMS and training systems is that these tools offer automated grading, which can help L&D teams save time.

Employee feedback While it’s not strictly a training metric, it’s also important for L&D teams to take employee feedback into consideration. Feedback can be collected through surveys and questionnaires and may concern aspects such as employee satisfaction with the training program itself and perceived skill improvements.

What’s the best way to track employee training progress?

The best way to track employees’ learning depends on your organization’s unique needs. If you want to learn how to track employee training progress, you must first understand that the right tracking method is determined by your organization’s size and tech resources. For instance, a simple spreadsheet logging setup may be ideal for smaller businesses with fewer courses and a small employee pool to train.

Meanwhile, large companies that can afford to increase IT spending will probably benefit from LMS platforms and dedicated tracking employee training software systems. These tools come with advanced features for managing corporate training programs and monitoring a wide variety of training channels. As such, the systems can prove to be beneficial to organizations where employees can use mobile devices to complete training courses.

How to create action plans for employees post-training?

Once employee training is completed, the focus should shift toward ensuring that the newly acquired skills and knowledge are applied effectively in the workplace. This is where creating personalized action plans becomes crucial. Action plans help employees transition from learning to practical application, providing a clear path for ongoing development. Here's how to create effective action plans for employees after training:

Review Training Objectives and Outcomes
- What to Do: Start by reviewing the specific goals and objectives of the training. This will ensure that the action plan is aligned with the knowledge and skills intended to be developed during the training.
- Why It Helps: This step ensures that the action plan is directly tied to the training content and helps the employee see how their learning is relevant to their role.
Set SMART Goals
- What to Do: Encourage employees to set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These goals should focus on how they will apply the training in their day-to-day tasks.
- Why It Helps: SMART goals provide clarity and focus, making tracking progress and measuring success easier. It also gives employees clear targets to strive for post-training.
Identify Key Areas for Development
- What to Do: Based on the training outcomes and assessment feedback, identify areas where the employee may need further improvement or support. This could involve certain skills that need more practice or new strategies that need to be adopted.
- Why It Helps: By identifying gaps early on, you ensure employees don't feel overwhelmed or discouraged. It also ensures that the action plan addresses areas requiring further attention.
Include Regular Check-ins and Milestones
- What to Do: Set up regular check-in points with the employee to assess their progress toward the goals set in the action plan. These could be weekly or monthly, depending on the timeline for the goals.
- Why It Helps: Regular check-ins help keep employees accountable and motivated while also providing the opportunity to address challenges or adjust goals if necessary. They also allow managers to provide ongoing feedback and support.
Incorporate Opportunities for Continuous Learning
- What to Do: Encourage employees to continue developing through additional resources, workshops, or mentoring. This could include online courses, webinars, or company-led learning initiatives that complement the original training.
- Why It Helps: Continuous learning fosters a culture of growth and ensures that employees continue to develop beyond the initial training. It also shows the employee that the company is invested in their long-term growth.
Set Clear Expectations for Applying Learned Skills
- What to Do: Clearly define how the employee is expected to apply the training. For example, if the training focused on leadership skills, set expectations around taking on leadership projects or mentoring peers.
- Why It Helps: Setting clear expectations helps employees understand how to apply training and makes the learning experience more relevant to their day-to-day tasks.
Document Progress and Celebrate Milestones
- What to Do: Record the employee's progress toward their goals. Recognize and celebrate milestones as they are achieved, whether completing a project or successfully applying a new skill in a real-world situation.
- Why It Helps: Recognizing progress boosts employee morale and reinforces the value of their development. It also encourages continuous improvement by showing that progress is tracked and appreciated.

How can data privacy concerns be addressed in training tracking systems?

Organizations must implement comprehensive security measures to safeguard employee information collected during training tracking. Establishing role‑based access controls, encrypting data in transit and at rest, and adhering to international standards such as GDPR are essential to mitigate risks. Regular privacy impact assessments and audits ensure that data collection methods remain compliant and transparent without undermining the integrity of training metrics. Leveraging expertise from information management professionals—whose credentials may include a low cost MLIS degree online—can further enhance data governance and support continuous improvement in training tracking systems.

How can cognitive psychology enhance training tracking?

Organizations can leverage cognitive psychology principles to refine training methodologies by assessing learning behaviors and adapting techniques to individual cognitive styles. Integrating these insights allows for the design of training modules that improve retention and application of skills while proactively addressing learning barriers. By incorporating behavior analytics and tailored reinforcement, decision-makers can optimize data interpretation and performance forecasting. For further expertise in this area, consider exploring cognitive psychology careers.

How can mentorship and coaching enhance employee training tracking?

Mentorship and coaching initiatives complement quantitative tracking by providing qualitative insights into employee progress. These programs enable managers to relate performance metrics to real-world skill application, offering personalized guidance that bridges the gap between data and daily operations. Integrating coaching into employee development fosters accountability and real‑time adjustments to training methods, ensuring that performance improvements are sustained over time. Leadership professionals seeking additional evidence‑based strategies can further augment their approach by exploring an affordable online doctorate in educational leadership.

How do you measure the ROI of employee training programs?

Evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of employee training programs requires a systematic approach that correlates training outcomes with tangible business results. Begin by aligning training objectives with key performance indicators such as productivity gains, cost reductions, and improvements in customer satisfaction. Utilize quantitative metrics derived from training completion rates, assessment scores, and pre‑/post‑training performance evaluations to establish a baseline. Combine these metrics with qualitative feedback from employees to assess changes in workplace behavior and engagement. Advanced analytics tools can further aid in identifying trends in performance improvements, thereby providing a clear picture of the training’s impact on overall business success. For decision‑makers considering further academic credentials to bolster these analytical skills, pursuing an affordable master's degree online may prove beneficial.

How can leadership strategies improve employee training tracking?

Effective leadership plays a crucial role in integrating training tracking with organizational success. Leaders who establish a culture of continuous learning and transparent communication encourage data-driven decision-making and accountability. By aligning training objectives with company goals, they ensure that tracking systems yield actionable insights while supporting employee growth. Moreover, advanced academic programs, such as a doctorate in organizational leadership online, equip executives with strategies to optimize training frameworks and boost overall performance.

How can emerging technologies enhance employee training tracking?

Innovative digital tools, including AI-driven analytics and machine learning models, offer precise tracking of training behaviors and outcomes by forecasting learning trends and tailoring content delivery. These technologies facilitate real-time feedback through advanced dashboards and predictive reports, which can adjust training modules based on employee performance and engagement patterns. Furthermore, data visualization and automated benchmarking allow organizations to make informed decisions faster, promoting continuous improvement and strategic alignment. Integrating these innovations with academic insights—such as those found in best online PhD programs in higher education—can further elevate the effectiveness of training tracking systems while ensuring scalability and compliance with modern digital standards.

Key Insights

Employee Training as a Priority: Companies globally are emphasizing employee training, with 59% of corporate L&D programs prioritizing upskilling and reskilling.
Benefits of Employee Training: Training programs enhance employee skills, productivity, company culture, and reduce turnover, significantly benefiting businesses financially.
Importance of Tracking: Monitoring employee training progress helps collect data on attendance, popular courses, learning pace, and training completion rates, providing insights into the program’s effectiveness and ROI.
Need for Tracking Software: For large-scale L&D initiatives, training tracking software simplifies managing training progress, compliance, and documentation, ensuring accurate and efficient tracking.
Tracking Methods: Various tools for tracking employee training include spreadsheets, learning management software, dedicated tracking software, and training management systems, each offering different features and benefits.
Key Metrics: Essential metrics for evaluating training include progress rate, completion rates, repeat training rates, assessment scores, and employee feedback.

FAQ

Why is tracking employee training progress important?

Tracking employee training progress is crucial for several reasons: it helps ensure employees are attending and completing required training, identifies popular courses and areas needing improvement, measures learning pace and effectiveness, and provides data to evaluate the ROI of training programs. This information is vital for making informed decisions about training strategies and improving overall employee development.

What are the main reasons for using training tracking software?

Training tracking software is beneficial when managing large-scale L&D programs, ensuring accurate and efficient tracking of training progress for numerous employees. It facilitates comprehensive data collection, compliance with industry standards and regulations, and improved coordination between HR and training teams. Additionally, it supports detailed reporting and analysis, helping organizations demonstrate the positive impact of training investments.

Which tracking method is best for a small business with limited resources?

For small businesses with limited resources, using spreadsheets may be the best tracking method. Spreadsheets offer a low-cost, flexible solution for recording and analyzing training data without requiring advanced technology or significant financial investment. They can effectively manage training records, attendance, and basic metrics, making them suitable for smaller employee pools and simpler training programs.

What metrics should be prioritized when tracking employee training?

Key metrics to prioritize when tracking employee training include progress rate (time spent on training), completion rates, repeat training rates (indicating the need for content adjustments), assessment scores (measuring knowledge acquisition), and employee feedback (providing insights into satisfaction and perceived improvements). Focusing on these metrics ensures a comprehensive evaluation of training effectiveness and areas for enhancement.

How can employee feedback be effectively collected and utilized in training programs?

Employee feedback can be effectively collected through surveys and questionnaires administered before, during, and after training sessions. This feedback should cover aspects such as satisfaction with the training program, perceived skill improvements, and suggestions for improvement. Analyzing this feedback helps L&D teams identify strengths and weaknesses in the training content and methods, allowing for continuous improvement and increased employee engagement in future programs.

References:

Colman, H. (2020, April 29). Employee training metrics: Measure your program’s success. iSpring Solutions
Kokoulina, O. (2020, April 28). 5 best ways to track employee training. Explore the eLearning world with us. iSpring Solutions
Mann, E. (2019, May 18). OSHA: The importance of safety training documentation. Employers Resource
Maryville University. (2021, April 1). Importance of training and development for employees. Maryville Online
Simplilearn. (2017). How to improve your company’s training completion rates. Training Industry
Toolbox. (2020, July 29). Top 10 employee training tracking software in 2020. Toolbox
World Manager. (2021, February 19). How & why to track employee training progress. World Manager