Training Structure: Examples and Downloadable Template

Think of a training structure as the blueprint for your B2B training business. It’s like an architect drawing up plans for a home – it outlines what materials are needed, where to place them, and how it all comes together.

This article will explore comprehensive training structure examples and templates for B2B training businesses to help you create the perfect program to generate revenue and scale operations. 

We’ll look at how to create an effective learning plan, design the curriculum, select the best delivery methods, and present it in a way that resonates with your audience. 

Skip ahead: 

• Understanding the Basics of Training Structure
• Sequential Training Structure
• Modular Training Structure
• Layered Training Structure
• Blended Training Structure
• Spiral Training Structure
• Training Structure Templates
• Best Practices for Implementing Training Structure
• Optimizing Online Training Structure
• Additional Training Structure Examples and Templates
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

Significance of a Well-Structured Training Program

Creating a comprehensive training structure for your B2B training business can be daunting. However, understanding the importance of such an undertaking is necessary to ensure success. 

A well-structured training program can help you scale and increase revenue in ways that few other strategies can provide. At its core, a  well-structured training program allows you to plan better and manage resources to maximize profits while delivering quality services. 

This helps you create a bigger return on the time, energy, and money invested in your business.

Overview of Training Structure Examples and Templates

When designing your online course, there are many training structure examples and templates to consider. The proper training structure can significantly impact your B2B training business’s success. 

You have many training options to choose from for your online course, such as self-paced, blended, modular or spiral instruction. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages depending on the type of content being taught and the objectives that need to be met. 

Additionally, templates provide an easy way to create a consistent style throughout your course materials without needing extra effort from you or your team. 

Understanding the Basics of Training Structure

Before diving into examples or templates for your business’s training structure, understanding the basics of this concept is essential.

1. Defining Training Structure and its Core Elements

A training structure is an organizational framework for your online courses that helps ensure each product functions as intended to reach its goals. Core elements of a training structure include: 

• Defining the learning objectives and outcomes of each particular course or lesson. 
• Establishing the topics and content presented in each lesson. 
• Crafting assessments and quizzes to measure student comprehension. 
• Setting up any additional resources, such as video content, audio recordings, or printable worksheets needed for the course. 
• Integrating feedback mechanisms so students can ask questions or provide comments throughout their journey. 
• Collecting data such as learner engagement and completion rates to determine the effectiveness of your program. 

Incorporating these features in a well-defined training structure can help maximize return on investment while building a loyal customer base through educational content.

2. Key Considerations for B2B Training Programs

There are several factors to consider when structuring your B2B training programs, some of which are necessary to differentiate them from B2C training programs and courses, including:

• Utilizing a scalable platform that can accommodate larger audiences. 
• Automating processes to streamline the delivery of content.
• Incorporating interactive elements such as quizzes, polls, and case studies.
• Offering personalized coaching or mentorship opportunities. 
• Establishing marketing tactics to attract potential clients. 
• Crafting customer success stories to demonstrate the ROI of training programs. 
• Creating dynamic pricing models based on student needs. 
• Providing tailored material based on industry or company size.

Now that we know the basics let’s examine different training structure examples and templates you can use to create your next educational product.

Sequential Training Structure

1. Explanation and Benefits

This incremental process is an effective way to organize your business’s training program. It involves creating a series of courses that build on each other and provide a logical progression for learners. Doing so creates a clear path or “sequence” from novice trainees to advanced experts while helping them make the most of their learning journey. 

The benefits of using this kind of structure include: 

• Encourages learner engagement: When customers can see progress and understand how far they have come, it boosts motivation and keeps them engaged in their learning journey. 
• Easier onboarding process: Setting steps makes it easier for new trainees to understand what to do and how far they have left. 
• More effective training: Structured courses make learning more efficient, as learners can focus on specific topics or skills without feeling overwhelmed by too much information. 
• Improved customer satisfaction: Customers’ satisfaction levels increase as they become more knowledgeable about your product or service.

2. Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

1. Identify the core topics of your course and the desired learning outcomes for each.
2. Organize these topics into a logical sequence that builds on previous knowledge and facilitates mastery of skills as learners progress through the course content. 
3. Create individual modules based on these topics, ensuring they are concise yet comprehensive in their subject coverage. 
4. Develop activities within each module to reinforce key concepts and provide opportunities for learners to practice newly acquired skills interactively.  
5. Include quizzes or assessments throughout the course to assess learner progress toward mastery of all objectives. 
6. Add a final assessment to the course that requires learners to demonstrate mastery of all topics and objectives. 
7. Provide support materials, such as worksheets or reference documents, for learners who need additional guidance throughout their learning journey.

Case Study: Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)

Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) has successfully utilized Thinkific’s online training resources to boost revenue and reach over 7 million students across 170 countries. Co-founded by Tim Vipond, CFI offers comprehensive financial analyst programs for individuals and renowned institutions like Deloitte, HSBC, and Amazon.

Transitioning from in-person classes to online courses with Thinkific Plus, CFI initially launched with a bundle of 10 courses. This allowed them to gather feedback and expand their offerings continuously. 

Now providing over 140+ courses through the Thinkific Plus platform, CFI continues to experience strong yearly growth in both student enrollments and revenue generation while reinvesting earnings back into course improvements and expansion efforts.

Modular Training Structure

1. Explanation and Benefits

A modular training structure organizes and delivers training that allows you to mix and match different elements. It’s helpful for businesses looking to create custom learning experiences that meet their customers’ needs. 

The advantages of this approach include: 

• Flexibility: You can tailor your courses according to customer preferences. 
• Streamlined delivery: It makes managing complex teaching scenarios with multiple instructors, locations, and topics easier. 
• Cost savings. Since each module can be reused in different contexts, companies save time and money by not having to develop entirely new courses each time. 
• Increased engagement: Learners can explore topics in more depth since modules are organized into smaller, digestible chunks.

2. Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

1. Define your goals: Identify the objectives of your training program and how you want to measure success. 

2. Organize content: Divide information into logical modules or topics that can be accessed in any order. 

3. Determine delivery method: Decide if you will deliver the training through an online platform, a webinar series, or other forms of instruction, such as text-based emails or videos. 

4. Create structure: Design a framework for each module, including an introduction, main body with learning activities, and conclusion. 

5. Develop content assets: Create relevant materials such as slides, quizzes, tutorials, and other assets to supplement the learning experience. 

6. Monitor progress: Track student engagement with metrics such as completion rates and feedback ratings. 

7. Evaluate outcomes: Analyze data to understand your program’s effectiveness and identify improvement areas.

Case Study: Blisspot

Blisspot, an online well-being solution, offers resources to support mental, physical, and emotional health for individuals and companies. Referred to as the “Netflix of well-being,” Blisspot provides users with easy access to expert resources like courses, podcasts, meditations, and goal-setting tools. The platform primarily targets small to midsize companies lacking in-house wellness programs or dedicated HR departments.

Initially experimenting with live events and workshops, Blisspot realized that online learning through Thinkific Plus would allow them to reach more people effectively. This seamless integration has enabled the company to offer personalized features such as tailored content recommendations based on user interests and goals. With a monthly membership fee of only $17 dollars per individual user or group subscriptions for employees offered by businesses participating in the program, accessibility is increased for all.

Thinkific Plus has helped Blisspot deliver enriching content while providing exceptional customer support that aligns with their mission of improving personal well-being and team performance across various industries.

Layered Training Structure

1. Explanation and Benefits

A layered training structure is a way to organize online learning into multiple levels or stages. This approach allows learners to progress from basic concepts and knowledge to more advanced skills and understanding at their own pace. 

The pluses of using this learning strategy include the following: 

• Greater comprehension for the learner as they pass through each layer 
• Increased engagement in the learning process due to its progressive nature 
• Ability to tailor content based on learners’ needs and abilities 
• Clear evaluation points along the way so trainers can monitor the success

2. Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

1. Establish the purpose of your training structure: What do you want to achieve (e.g., customer education, revenue generation)? 

2. Outline goals and objectives for each layer of the training structure: Consider what you would like to teach customers or how much revenue needs to be generated from each program tier. 

3. Create a timeline for implementation: Once you have set your goals and objectives, decide how long it will take to deliver them in line with customer requirements and expectations. 

4. Design content that meets the needs of learners at different levels: Structure content so that those new to the subject can easily understand basic concepts. In contrast, more experienced learners can deepen their skills. 

5. Develop a system for tracking and measuring progress: Set up metrics for monitoring learner engagement, completion rate, satisfaction levels etc. 

6. Establish an assessment process: Create assessments that measure how well learners have understood your training content and how successful they are in achieving goals set out in the program. 

7. Assign resources to promote and support your training structure: Make sure you have adequate staff or technology resources available to ensure customers receive quality service throughout their learning journey. 

8. Evaluate performance regularly: Review learner data and adjust the program as needed.

Case Study: BankersHub

BankersHub®, co-founded by Erin O’Donnell and Michael Beird, is a leading financial services training company dedicated to supporting and educating financial institutions worldwide. They offer the latest industry best practices, research insights, economic trends, and consumer views through their online education platform. Utilizing Thinkific Plus has allowed BankersHub® to stay ahead of the curve in financial services training while increasing both revenue and client engagement on their platform.

Recognizing the need for accessible online education following the 2008-2009 Global Financial Crisis, BankersHub® used Thinkific Plus to set up their training academy – BankersCollegeTM. This provided an easy-to-use platform for seamless B2B selling with built-in administrative and communication features that improved customer experience without requiring additional headcount. 

Since launching courses on Thinkific Plus, they have experienced steady growth in course enrollments and an 8% increase in revenue last year – attributed mainly to customers’ satisfaction with a more formal learning process.

Blended Training Structure

1. Explanation and Benefits

This format combines in-person and online learning activities to create an engaging learning experience. It is advantageous for B2B training businesses as it provides the following: 

• Flexibility: Learners can access content anytime, anywhere. 
• Cost savings: Reduced travel costs for instructors and participants. 
• Increased engagement: A diverse range of delivery methods engages participants more effectively. 
• Improved reach: More people can join sessions remotely or via video conferencing technology.

2. Step-by-Step Implementation

1. Develop a blended training plan that incorporates both online and in-person components. 
2. Decide which topics your customers will learn best from an in-person session and which can be taught effectively online. 
3. Outline the objectives of each program component to ensure they are aligned with customer education goals. 
4. Create content for each aspect of the blended learning structure, including videos, webinars, and physical materials like workbooks or handouts, if applicable. 
5. Select appropriate content delivery platforms, such as Learning Management Systems (LMS) or virtual classrooms, for synchronous online sessions. 
6. Assign instructors or facilitators for each program component and provide training as needed. 
7. Launch your blended training structure and measure its success over time to ensure it meets customer education needs and generates revenue.

Case Study: Wallbreakers

Wallbreakers, an AI-powered platform co-founded by Andrea Guendelman, Leah La Salla, and Isaac Saldana, aims to bridge the skill gap between recent computer science graduates and top employers’ expectations for software development engineers. The company focuses on recruiting and retaining diverse talent from underrepresented backgrounds in the tech industry.

To manage a growing number of candidates and specialized training programs, Wallbreakers utilized Thinkific Plus to launch its online certification courses. This move enabled them to better monitor student progress while providing valuable certifications that make candidates more marketable to partner organizations like Amazon and Visa. 

By using Thinkific Plus features such as weekly reminder emails, group analysts, multimedia capabilities, and analytics support, Wallbreakers has successfully enhanced both candidate success rates and customer experiences in their program. Consequently, they have witnessed rapid growth through word-of-mouth marketing on social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Spiral Training Structure

1. Explanation and Benefits

This strategy presents information in a manner that is both progressive and cyclical. It begins with the most basic concepts, then introduces more complex ideas and builds on them as they are repeated throughout the course. 

With this approach, learners can continually review materials to solidify their understanding without getting overwhelmed by long lists of topics or competing ideas. The advantages for learners include: 

• A greater level of comprehension due to multiple repetitions 
• More straightforward navigation through content as similar subjects are grouped
• Opportunity to quickly master foundational concepts before progressing further 
• A more engaging learning experience as lessons are reinforced through repetition 
• More accessible course updates, allowing content to be cycled out and replaced with new material 
• Greater flexibility in creating different levels of courses or modules based on learners’ existing knowledge or needs 
• Faster delivery times due to fewer topics needing to be covered at once

2. Step-by-Step Implementation

1. Define the key objectives of your educational course 
2. Break down your content into modules 
3. Designate a pre-requisite for each section 
4. Create an assessment to gauge the trainee’s understanding and progress 
5. Establish a spiral approach by linking topics from different modules together 
6. Implement feedback loops throughout the training program to ensure proper comprehension and retention of materials 
7. Monitor learner performance to adjust learning paths as needed 
8. Integrate revenue-generating strategies such as upsells or referrals throughout the training program 
9. Provide additional resources for self-paced learning or in-depth study 
10. Track outcomes to measure and analyze the success of your training program

Case Study: Epoch Education

Epoch Education, a national leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training, offers over 50+ courses to educators, students, and corporations across the USA. Founded by Dr. Nancy Dome, their RIR Protocol™ – recognize it, interrupt it and repair it – forms the foundation of their training courses. Prior to Covid-19, Epoch Education facilitated in-person trainings throughout the US but quickly shifted to online education via Thinkific Plus in March 2020.

Thinkific Plus has enabled Epoch Education to deliver personalized and engaging DEI training content securely while improving learning experiences and increasing revenue. By expanding its focus beyond education towards small businesses and corporations – as well as utilizing multimedia lessons on Thinkific Plus platform for wider reach – they have successfully engaged clients from various sectors across the country with audiences up to 3500 people at once.

Training Structure Templates

1. Course Outline Template

Overview and Purpose: A course outline template organizes the main topics, objectives, and learning outcomes of a training program to ensure a coherent structure throughout the course.

Key Sections and Subsections: Introduction, Training Objectives, Training Content & Schedule, Training Methodolody, Conclusion.

Sample Format: 

Title & Description

• Course Name: ABC Training Program

• Introduction: A comprehensive training program on XYZ skills.

Training Objectives

• Module 1: Topic A (Introduction to XYZ)

• Subtopic 1: Background and history of XYZ

• Subtopic 2: Importance of mastering XYZ skills in today’s market

• Module 2 etc.

We at Thinkific have put together a comprehensive template for you to use and customize. Download it here to fast-track your session planning.

2. Lesson Plan Template

Overview and Purpose: A lesson plan template provides instructors with a detailed guide for each session or module of the training program, including specific activities and resources required for effective learning.

Key Elements and Components: Objective(s), Timeframe, Materials/Resources Needed, Teaching Methods and Techniques (e.g., lecture presentation, discussion, group work), Activities and Tasks for Learners.

Sample Format:

Objective(s)

• By the end of this session, participants will be able to identify key components of the XYZ process.

Time Allotted: 90 minutes 

Materials/Resources Required:

• PowerPoint slides for presentation 

• Handout with key concepts and examples 

Instructional Technique(s):

• Lecture Presentation [30 min]

Activity/Task Description:

• Participants will listen and take notes during the lecture.

3. Training Session Agenda Template

Overview and Purpose: Overview and Purpose: This template helps trainers create an organized schedule for each session of their training program by allocating time to different topics while ensuring smooth progress throughout the event.

Key Sections and Time Allocation: Welcome/Introduction; Lecture Sessions; Breaks; Workshops or Discussions; Q&A and Closing Remarks.

Sample Format:

08:30 – Welcome / Introduction [15 min]

09:00 – Presentation topic (Module 1) [45 min]

10:00 – Coffee break [15 min]

10:15 – Workshop activity (Group discussion on Module 1) [60 min]

4. Assessment and Evaluation Template

Overview and Purpose: The assessment template ensures that learners are evaluated effectively based on their understanding of course material through various assessment methods like quizzes, tests or practical assignments.

Key Criteria and Assessment Methods: Critera could include Multiple-choice Questions, Open-ended Questions, Practical Assignments/Tasks, Self-Reflections.

Sample Format: 

Assessment Title – Final Exam for ABC Training Program

Section I – Multiple-choice questions (20 points)

Question #1 –

Which one is a component of the XYZ process?

1. a) Component A, b) Component B, c) Component C

5. Training Material Design Template

Overview and Purpose: This template guides trainers in creating visually appealing and engaging training materials that effectively communicate key concepts to learners while maintaining a consistent design throughout the course.

Key Sections and Visual Elements: Visual Elements can include Cover Page; Table of Contents; Headers and Footers with section names; Subheadings; Images & Graphics (charts/graphs/icons); Consistent Fonts & Colors.

Sample Format:

Cover page template example:

• [Title] ABC Training Program Workbook [/Title]

• [Logo] Your Company Logo [/Logo]

Table of Contents template example:

• Table of Contents

• Introduction …………………………………………………. Page i 

• Module/topic name …………………………………………… Page ii

•  Subheading(s) ……………………………………………….. Page iii

Headers/Footers with section names template example:

• Header: ABC Training Program Workbook

• Footer: Module # – Topic Name | Page #

Images & Graphics template example:

• [Image] Diagram illustrating the XYZ process [/Image]
• Figure 1.1 – The XYZ Process Flowchart
   

Consistent Fonts & Colors template example:

• Font Family: Arial or Calibri, Font Sizes: Titles (24pt), Subheadings (18pt), Body text (12-14pt); Colors: Company Branding colors for title/subheadings and black/grey for body text.

Best Practices for Implementing Training Structure

Once you’ve selected your training structure examples and templates for your online B2B learning products, you will add value to your offering when you apply the following strategies.

1. Customizing Training Structure for Specific Needs

By tailoring content to the needs and goals of a company, you will be able to provide an individualized approach that is more likely to engage customers, help them reach their objectives, and generate revenue for your business. 

2. Ensuring Seamless Transitions and Flow

Ensuring your modules have a smooth and orderly progression is key to optimizing the learning journey of each user. Best practices for achieving this include mapping out an organized curriculum, breaking it down into logical steps, providing clear objectives at the start of each session, and creating natural pathways that lead users from one topic to another. 

3. Incorporating Engaging Activities and Interactions

Incorporating dynamic and interactive elements such as quizzes, puzzles and activities can help customers to absorb and retain information in a more effective way. This will provide them with the tools needed to make the most out of their training experience.

4. Assessing and Adjusting Training Structure Effectiveness

It is essential to continually monitor, assess and refine your training structure in order to ensure that it remains effective. This can include regularly assessing customer feedback, evaluating the performance of employees trained using these measures and making necessary adjustments to stay up-to-date with industry trends.

Optimizing Online Training Structure

Online training requires a different approach than in-person training, as the medium is drastically different and requires optimization to be effective. Here’s a look at several virtual learning strategies.

1. Adapting Training Structure for Virtual Learning

To adapt your educational course to the virtual environment, focus on creating an engaging environment through interactive activities such as polls and surveys, provide more self-guided resources like eBooks or podcasts and utilize customized tracking tools for progress assessment. 

2. Leveraging Technology and Interactive Tools

Technology has revolutionized the way we learn, offering us an abundance of virtual tools to create a more engaging and effective online learning environment. Here are some popular types of technology you can use for bringing your training online with courses: 

• A Learning Management System like Thinkific to build your courses 
• Video conferencing platforms such as Zoom or Skype 
• Virtual whiteboards for collaboration with course participants 
• Online quizzes with automated grading capabilities 
• An online community for your learners 
• Digital library resources that provide access to ebooks and other reading materials 
• Interactive teaching software that offers multimedia lessons and activities 
• Mobile applications that enable learners to access courses on their phones

3. Enhancing Learner Engagement and Interaction

When you move your training program online, you gain the ability to engage customers in a more interactive and progressive way. Some of the most inventive and popular methods include:

• Incorporating multimedia such as video, audio, and animation
• Utilizing chat boxes to allow for real-time communication and discussion
• Introducing gamification elements to motivate users
• Allowing customers to collaborate with peers via virtual classrooms, discussion rooms, or project groups

All of these tactics help keep participants engaged and can lead to greater knowledge retention.

Additional Training Structure Examples and Templates

Let’s examine a few more training approaches you can use as you develop your educational product.

1. Gamified Training Structure

Gamified training structure is a method of teaching and learning that uses game-like elements, such as points, badges, leaderboards, and rewards to motivate learners. It can be used to encourage engagement with content and reward progress toward the desired outcome or goal.

2. Role-Play Training Structure

This form of comprehensive training program encourages participants to simulate scenarios and practice in real-world situations. It focuses on replicating challenges and building skills for dealing with them, allowing employees to gain experience without the risk of failure.

3. Problem-Based Learning Structure

Instead of simply giving learners information, challenge-based learning immerses them in a problem and allows them to develop skills as they work toward a solution. 

4. Peer-Learning Structure

This learning approach encourages individuals to learn from each other by sharing their knowledge and experiences. It fosters collaboration between participants, creating an environment of mutual learning and growth.

5. Simulation-Based Training Structure

Programs built around this training method use virtual environments to simulate real-world scenarios. This process helps learners build skills and experience in safe, risk-free settings by allowing them to practice without consequence.

Conclusion

This article has explored various training structure examples and templates, such as sequential, modular, layered, blended, and spiral approaches. We’ve also discussed strategies for enhancing learner engagement through technology integration and virtual learning adaptation.

It’s essential to tailor your chosen training structure to suit the unique needs of your clients while ensuring a smooth flow between course modules. Regularly assessing your program’s effectiveness allows you to stay current with industry trends and maximize return on investment. 

By implementing these best practices within your online courses or training programs, you can cultivate engaging educational experiences that drive revenue growth for both your business and its clients. 

Download the Training Structure Template

Harness the power of well-structured training. This free template guides you in outlining a cohesive, engaging structure for your training programs or courses. Save time, enhance learning effectiveness, and ensure your training delivery is top-notch. Secure your copy today and elevate your training framework.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why is it important to have a structured training program for B2B businesses?

It is important to have a structured training program for B2B businesses because with a structured program, businesses can create online educational products that are tailored to their customers’ needs while also generating income from these products. In addition, having a well-defined program helps ensure quality assurance of the product, thereby increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Q. Can I modify the provided training structure examples and templates to align with my business requirements?

Yes, you can absolutely modify the provided training structure examples and templates to align with your business requirements. In fact, it is highly recommended that you tailor these structures to fit the unique needs of your clients and industry. Customizing your chosen training approach helps ensure a more engaging and relevant learning experience for your customers.

Q. How do I determine which training structure is most suitable for my B2B training programs?

To determine which training structure is most suitable for your B2B training program you should consider your program’s goals, budget, and customer needs. Evaluate what type of content you need to create, how long it will take for customers to complete the training program, and if any additional resources or support is needed. Additionally, think about how you can track progress and measure success in order to optimize your B2B training structure.