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Keeping Up with L&D Trends: Modernize Your Training Content with Staff Augmentation

đź•‘ 6 minutes read | Apr 17 2025 | By Becky Gendron
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Training content has a shelf life, and for many organizations, that expiration date has already passed. What once passed for modern learning, slide decks, talking head videos, and basic compliance modules, now feels disconnected from how today’s workforce actually learns. As learner expectations rise and technology evolves, modernization is no longer optional.

But modernization isn’t just about swapping out outdated formats. It means rethinking how training is designed, delivered, and aligned with real business outcomes.

The challenge? Most internal L&D teams are already stretched thin. They’re juggling priorities, managing competing requests, and navigating shrinking budgets. Modernization often gets pushed down the list, not because it lacks importance, but because it demands time, expertise, and capacity that may not exist internally.

That’s where staff augmentation becomes a practical, strategic solution. By bringing in specialized contract talent, organizations can accelerate progress, bring fresh expertise into existing projects, support internal teams, and move forward without delay.

The Push to Modernize Training Isn’t Optional

Modernizing your training content isn’t about updated visuals or new technology. It’s a direct response to how workforce learning needs have evolved.

Today’s employees expect learning to be flexible, relevant, and integrated into their daily work. They want content that meets them where they are—on the job, on mobile devices, and in real time. According to SHRM, 76% of employees say they’re more likely to stay with a company that offers continuous learning and development. Outdated training can send the opposite message, suggesting that employee growth is not a priority, or worse, that the organization is out of touch.

The 2024 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report also confirms a growing demand for alignment between learning programs, business goals, and talent retention. Training models built for static delivery no longer serve organizations under pressure to adapt, grow, and retain top talent.

Understanding what needs to change is one thing. Finding the capacity and expertise to make it happen is where many teams hit a roadblock.

Why Internal Teams Can’t Scale Alone

Even high-performing L&D teams run into barriers when it comes to content modernization. It’s not about lack of effort or commitment—it’s about the scope and complexity of the work.

Transforming a library of instructor-led sessions into dynamic digital modules, for example, is not a straightforward task. It needs:

On top of that, content must integrate with your LMS, align with business goals, and meet evolving learner expectations.

These are substantial undertakings. And for teams already managing onboarding, compliance, DEI, and leadership programs, taking on a modernization initiative without additional support can lead to missed deadlines, uneven quality, and burnout.

This is where many teams hit a ceiling. Not because they lack vision, but because the execution requires resources they simply don’t have. The question becomes: how can organizations move forward without overtaxing their internal teams?

Staff Augmentation as a Strategic Extension

Staff augmentation is a strategic way to expand your team’s capacity with precision and speed. By tapping into highly specialized contract talent, organizations gain immediate access to the skills needed to modernize content without disrupting ongoing priorities.

This approach is increasingly common. A Deloitte study found that 83% of organizations use some form of external workforce to close skill gaps and improve agility. It’s not about outsourcing your core work; it’s about reinforcing internal efforts so your team can stay focused on strategic initiatives while external experts manage execution.

Whether you need a single instructional designer for a high-priority refresh or a full project team to lead a broader initiative, staff augmentation gives you the flexibility to scale with confidence.

Why Staff Augmentation Works for Modernizing Training Content

Staff augmentation is a proven strategy for organizations looking to modernize training content and stay responsive to change:

  • It’s faster. You don’t have to wait for headcount approval or lengthy onboarding. With the right partner, you can access professionals who are already familiar with your tools, platforms, and learning models.
  • It’s specialized. Whether you need someone with deep expertise in Articulate, accessibility compliance, or LMS migrations, you can bring in talent who’ve done it before—often in similar environments.
  • It adapts to your scope. Some initiatives call for a full team. Others require just one expert. Staff augmentation allows you to scale up or down based on the work, not your internal team’s capacity.

Just as important, this model gives your internal team space to focus on strategic priorities. Instead of stretching resources thin, you can allocate work intentionally, preserving quality, accelerating delivery, and staying aligned to your business goals while improving metrics like time-to-competency and learner engagement.

There’s No Single Blueprint for Training Modernization—and That’s a Strength

A common misconception about modernizing training is that it must follow a rigid formula. In reality, the path should be as flexible and adaptable as the learners it’s designed to support.

Your modernization needs might include refreshing outdated courses for better engagement, preparing content for a global rollout with cultural localization, or redesigning leadership development to align with new competencies. Each scenario calls for a different approach—and a different mix of expertise.

With the right staffing support, you don’t have to pause progress or compromise on quality. You can access tailored solutions that meet your specific goals, timeline, and audience, without overextending your internal team.

Real Results: Scaling a Global Training Program

Akamai Technologies partnered with TTA to expand its award-winning Akamai Technical Academy—a program designed to help individuals without traditional technical backgrounds launch careers in tech. To meet growing demand, Akamai relied on a flexible team of learning experts who could deliver, adapt, and evolve the program across global locations.

This collaborative effort helped transition the program from in-person to hybrid delivery, increased the learner reach fourfold, and went on to earn a Brandon Hall Award. Read the full case study to learn more.

Future-Proofing Your Learning Function

Today’s learning teams are no longer just building content—they’re enabling transformation. You’re expected to help your organization grow, adapt, and stay competitive. That means your training infrastructure must be built for flexibility and change.

Staff augmentation gives you the agility to respond in real time. You can refresh content when needed, explore new delivery models, or shift direction quickly without overhauling your team structure. It’s not just about bandwidth—it’s about staying ahead of what’s next.

Equally important is the caliber of the talent you bring in. When you partner with providers who thoroughly vet their professionals and specialize in learning and development, you gain more than extra capacity. You gain trusted collaborators who can align to your vision, contribute fresh perspective, and help move your strategy forward.

Putting Training Modernization Within Reach

If you’re looking to modernize your training content, you don’t need to overhaul your team or wait for next year’s budget cycle. Staff augmentation gives you the flexibility to move forward now, on your terms and timeline.

This isn’t about outsourcing L&D. It’s about optimizing it. When done well, staff augmentation keeps your content current and enables a more agile, inclusive, and business-aligned learning strategy.

Explore the Benefits of On-Demand Learning Talent

Whether you’re managing a small update or a global rollout, TTA’s strategic model makes it easy to scale with trusted, on-demand L&D professionals. Download the brochure to learn more.

Ready to Modernize Smarter, Not Harder?

If you’re exploring how to keep your L&D strategy effective without overloading your internal team, we’re here to help. Whether you need a single expert or a full project team, we’ll connect you with experienced L&D talent who can align with your goals and help you make meaningful progress.

 

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