Why face-to-face training is essential for your business

10 October 2019

Updated June 2025

Now hybrid working and AI chatbots are the norm, it’s easy to assume that face-to-face training has had its day. But for many UK-based SMEs, it remains a powerful – and often underused – tool for achieving real, measurable results from your learning and development strategy.

While digital training platforms and online compliance courses for UK-based SMEs have transformed access and affordability, there are still scenarios where in-house, instructor-led training offers unmatched impact. From giving employees the opportunity to ask questions, to building stronger teams and a more positive workplace culture, here’s why face-to-face training should still have a seat at the L&D table – and how to make it work for your business goals and budget.

Recommended read: Staff training and development benefits

Face-to-face vs online: it’s not either/or – there’s room for both

Let’s be clear: this isn’t a battle. Digital training tools and virtual compliance training for remote SME teams in the UK offer flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency – especially when your workforce is spread across locations or working varied shifts. Face-to-face training still matters for UK SMEs in a digital world.

Face-to-face sessions excel in contexts that require:

• High emotional intelligence (such as leadership training for first-time managers in the UK).
• Complex discussion and feedback loops – allowing for engagement, conversation and debate.
• Relationship building across departments or functions – helping shift the organisation from a siloed mentality to a team mentality.
• Specific skill development (think sales negotiation and presentations, presentation skills and EFAW (emergency first aid at work)). 

Rather than viewing in-person training as outdated, smart SMEs are combining it with affordable compliance training for UK SMEs – which is why Staff Skills academy+ offers both options, to suit the needs of both growing and more established businesses. 

Recommended read: How to find staff training near me 

The business case: why face-to-face training is important

1. It builds human connection and organisational culture

In-person sessions foster real-time discussion, non-verbal communication and mutual accountability. This is vital when you’re embedding culture-driven topics such as emotional intelligence training, and can be particularly beneficial for topics such as: 

• Equality and diversity awareness training for employees
• Leadership skills and management training for first-time managers
• Communication skills and conflict management in the workplace

When people sit in a room together, there’s space for vulnerability, honesty and lightbulb moments that are harder to replicate online.

2. It reinforces learning through practice

Whether it’s running a risk assessment training scenario or practising coaching skills training for people managers, face-to-face learning allows for:

• Role play and simulation
• Group exercises
• Immediate, personalised feedback

That makes it ideal for sessions focused on behavioural change, such as managing performance, conflict resolution, or employee wellbeing strategies.

3. It engages staff who aren’t habitually online

Not every employee thrives in front of a screen. Some roles, such as warehouse, retail or field-based staff, may benefit more from physical sessions – and it’s also a great way to build rapport between employees who rarely see each other. 

Face-to-face training can:

• Reduce distractions and multitasking  
• Encourage questions from less confident learners
• Ensure consistent access for staff with low digital or IT literacy

4. It allows for real-time question and answer sessions

While online learning can offer significant time- and cost-saving benefits for both SMEs and larger organisations, sometimes there’s nothing like being able to ask a question in real-time! 

From courses such as IT applications (e.g. Microsoft 365 and Copilot), to technical IT courses and web development, general business courses, and first aid and mental health – your employees might have questions they need answered at the time. This is where instructor-led training comes into its own. 

Face-to-face training is more flexible than you think

You don’t need a full-day conference or costly hotel hire to make in-person training work. Here’s how SMEs are making it happen:

Personalised in-house training programmes

Short, focused workshops can deliver practical, memorable learning – especially when covering mandatory compliance training for UK employees in SMEs.

In your own spaces

Turn a meeting room, break room or even a quiet corner of your workspace into a pop-up training hub. There’s no time lost through travel or budget spent on hiring a location. Simply add a screen, a flipchart and decent refreshments – job done. 

Implement a blend of in-house and online learning

Why not use online learning to handle theory and knowledge checks, then deliver in-person workshops to apply the learning in context?

For example, you could: 

• Create Microsoft Excel online learning pathways for staff to complete.
• Then help them cement their knowledge with an in-person training course, where they can ask questions, iron out any niggles or frustrations, and even progress to a more advanced level.

This approach is cost-effective, scalable, and may deliver better retention than digital or in-person training alone.

Recommended read: Using online staff training to increase skills

Final thought: pick the right mix for your business

No business has unlimited time or budget for training. But combining time-saving learning solutions for SME teams (online learning from a trusted learning provider) with well-timed, face-to-face delivery can unlock powerful results.

To get started, ask:

• Where are our biggest L&D gaps right now?
• What behaviours or risks are we struggling to shift?
• Which topics would benefit from hands-on practice or live discussion?

Then match the format to the outcome. Used wisely, it gives your compliance programme a real-world edge – without blowing the budget.

Recommended read: Staff training costs

Ready to blend online and in-person training?

Are you ready to build effective blended learning strategies? Why not find out more about our UK-based training platform for managers and HR teams, packed with ready-to-go compliance courses for SMEs, and get in touch to request our full in-house, instructor-led course list. 

Whether you’re looking to meet legal requirements or grow your team’s skills in person or online, at Staff Skills academy+ we’re here to help. Our customised LMS makes it simple to assign training, track progress and upskill your workforce. And our range of 700+ CPD and RoSPA-certified courses covers everything from mandatory compliance training to industry-specific knowledge, health and wellbeing, and soft skills courses. Could we be the right fit for your business? Have a look and see what we do, or book a call with one of our team today.