- Free Version: Available for teams of up to 10
- Pricing: Premium plan $24/month (with a free 30-day trial period)
- Platforms supported: Available on mobile app (iOS and Android) or a web-based software
Why use SafetyCulture?
With a long list of industry awards, SafetyCulture works well as a robust skills development software for automating workplace training-related processes. Highly versatile and scalable, it allows HR teams and training coordinators to tailor learning experiences to the needs of their workers and expand their reach as the business grows. Its recordkeeping capability is also top-rated, enabling managers to organize employee information, including licenses, credentials, and learning requirements. Best of all, its mobile capabilities facilitate learning even when workers are offline, granting them access to view or download digital lessons and tutorial videos at their convenience.
Features:
- Generate training strategies and create personalized modules that employees can access anywhere and at any time, even when they work remotely.
- Track and manage employee certifications and licenses by creating portfolios per team or department and making them accessible to stakeholders on a centralized database.
- Identify gaps between existing skills and desired competencies, effectively target learning efforts, and track learning progress with the help of built-in analytics.
- Evaluate knowledge retention and skill proficiency by scheduling practical assessments and return demonstrations or sending quizzes and tests.
- Enable employees to send feedback on course content, instructors, and overall user experience for changes and improvements.
Why use O’Reilly?
One of the best skills development software today and used by some of the top global companies, the O’Reilly learning platform offers a wide range of courses in technology, business, and design. It helps companies enhance worker’s skills by providing authoritative content from industry experts, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
Features:
- Expert-Led Courses
- Personalized Learning Paths
- Skill Assessment
- Free Version: Not available
- Pricing: Contact the O'Reilly sales team for more information (with a free 10-day trial period)
- Platforms supported: Available as a mobile app (iOS and Android) or a web-based software
Why use ProProfs?
Utilized by large global organizations because of its ease of use and versatility, ProProfs helps companies enhance their workers’ skills through online courses, quizzes, surveys, and assessments. With this user-friendly all-in-one training platform, it’s easy to create engaging and effective training materials that workers can truly learn from.
Features:
- Course Creation with Quiz Maker
- Survey Builder
- Progress Tracking
- Free Version: Available for up to 10 learners
- Pricing: Starts at $1.97 per active learner per month, billed annually (with a free 15-day trial period)
- Platforms supported: Available as a mobile app (iOS and Android) or a web-based software
Why use OttoLearn?
This microlearning platform is in demand among top brands, helping them enhance their workers’ skills through personalized, adaptive learning experiences. With bite-sized learning content provided at the point of need, companies can ensure that their workers receive continuous learning and retain knowledge that helps them work better.
Features:
- Adaptive Learning
- Microlearning Modules
- Gamified Experience
- Free Version: Not available
- Pricing: Starts at $250 per month, billed annually (personalized demo may be requested)
- Platforms supported: Available as a mobile app (iOS and Android) or a web-based software
Why use Udacity?
An innovative training system, Digital Competencies by Udacity is a software solution that provides online courses and nanodegree programs specifically for data sciences, artificial intelligence, and programming. With the software’s hands-on projects and mentorship opportunities, managers can upskill their workforce in cutting-edge technologies.
Features:
- Self-Paced Learning
- Hands-on Projects
- Industry-Relevant Content
- Free Version: Not available
- Pricing: Team plan starts at $249 per user per month
- Platforms supported: Available as a web-based software
Why use iSpring Suite?
A comprehensive e-learning authoring toolkit, iSpring Suite is designed to help companies improve employee productivity by creating engaging and interactive online courses. Because house trainers get to develop custom training content, quizzes, simulations, and assessments, they effectively address specific objectives and grow their workers’ skills.
Features:
- PowerPoint Conversion
- Interactive Quizzes and Scenario Simulations
- Analytics and Reporting
- Free Version: Available with basic features
- Pricing: Starts at $770 per author per year (with a free 14-day trial period)
- Platforms supported: Available as a mobile app (iOS and Android) or a web-based software
Why use Valamis?
An advanced learning experience platform (LXP), Valamis helps organizations enhance workers’ skills through personalized learning paths. It is distinguished from its competitors thanks to its social learning features, focusing on fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement within organizations.
Features:
- Social Learning
- Content Curation
- Gamification
- Free Version: Not available
- Pricing: Starts at €17,000 (≈ $18,400) per year (demo available upon request)
- Platforms supported: Available as a mobile app (iOS and Android) or a web-based software
What is Skills Development Software?
Skill development software is a digital solution that facilitates the acquisition, enhancement, and management of skills among individuals or teams within an organization. It streamlines the various activities when managing training, including program or module development, employee assessment, and progress tracking. By addressing the need for upskilling and reskilling in a rapidly evolving work environment, companies can improve their employee’s proficiency and efficiency, thereby enhancing overall productivity.
Importance
Numerous organizations across the globe are facing a serious problem with employee retention. Workers are getting burned out, undergoing “quiet quitting”, and seriously considering leaving their posts for a better position elsewhere. There are many reasons behind this issue, but many credit to the fact that the majority of companies lack a structured skills development program. Utilizing a software solution can help with this challenge.
- Aids in Data-Driven Decision-Making – Technical skills development software usually has built-in analytics that generate actionable insights. It evaluates current skill levels, tracks worker’s progress, and provides vital information about learning outcomes. With this tool, HR and management make better decisions about training-related investments and talent management strategies.
- Improves Employee Performance – The software helps training managers develop strategies and curricula based on individual goals, current knowledge base, and needs. When employees enhance their skills and increase their confidence, they perform better in the workplace.
- Increases Employee Engagement – Interactive, peer-to-peer, and personalized learning experiences promote engagement and increase motivation. The software also allows feedback collection, which managers can use for continuous improvement. By making employees feel they are vital organizational members, they tend to stay.
- Enhances Adaptability to Change – In a rapidly evolving business landscape, the platform ensures that employees can quickly acquire new skills and adapt to changing job requirements. Consequently, the organization stays competitive, growing with the times while continuously improving workplace training.
- Saves Time and Reduces Costs – Digital solutions digitize documents and automate workflows, making tasks like content creation, training delivery, recordkeeping, and module sharing easier. Compared to traditional training methods, the software reduces the need for physical resources and minimizes downtime.
Key Features
Comprehensive platforms like Learning Management Systems (LMS), Learning Experience Platforms (LXP), and Course Authoring Solutions may include skills development as an individual module. If the company does not have the resources for these all-in-one software solutions, the best technical skills development software will do as long as it has these essentials:
- Course and Learning Modules Creation
- Content Authoring Tools
- Checklists for Induction, Training Evaluation, Feedback, etc.
- Personalized Learning Paths
- Certification Tracking
- Collaborative Learning
- Scheduling Tools
- Performance Analytics
- Integration Capabilities (with LMS, LXP, etc.)
- Gamification
- Mobile Accessibility with Offline Capabilities
Choosing the Right Skills Development Software
In-house HR teams or third-party learning and development managers and training coordinators will benefit considerably from any of the software solutions described in the list. Before making your final selection, take another look at your options in the summary provided:
| Skills Development Software | Free Version | Paid Plan | Mobile App |
| SafetyCulture | Yes | $24/user/month* | Yes |
| O’Reilly | No | Contact for pricing | Yes |
| ProProfs Training Maker | Yes | $1.79/active learner/month* | Yes |
| OttoLearn | No | $250/month* | Yes |
| Udacity | No | $249/user/month | No |
| iSpring Suite | Yes | $770/author/year | Yes |
| Valamis | No | €17,000 (≈ $18,400)/year | Yes |
* billed annually
Eunice Arcilla Caburao