How to Track Employee Training: Main Strategies [2025]

racking employee training isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about making sure your team is actually learning, growing, and applying their skills where it matters. After all, what’s the point of spending time and money on training if you can’t tell whether it’s working?

Statistics show that employees have diverse learning styles and preferences. Some employees thrive with self-paced learning, while others need a little nudge (or a deadline). Some managers check in regularly, others trust the LMS to handle it all. So how do you ensure training is effective, engaging, and actually improving performance?

Check our guide on how to track employee training effectively! We'll break down the key strategies, tools, and methods to keep your workforce learning — without extra headaches.

How to Track Employee Training: Main Methods

Tracking and evaluation in employee training help a company measure the effectiveness of the educational process and determine how successfully employees acquire new knowledge and skills.

There are several types of employee training monitoring:

• Monitoring the results of the training process includes assessing the level of knowledge and skills that an employee has received as a result of completing a training course.

💡Note: Most often organizations use tests, exams, assignments or other forms of knowledge monitoring.

• Pedagogical monitoring of training involves monitoring the training process and assessing the quality of its organization. 

💡Note: For this purpose, you can use methods of analyzing educational activities, receive feedback from employees and instructors, and analyze the results of tests and exams.

• Technical monitoring of training includes assessing the quality of the educational technologies and software used. 

💡Note: This monitoring can be carried out by analyzing the technical characteristics of equipment, using monitoring systems, and analyzing statistical data.

All of the above methods of monitoring employee training can be used both individually and in combination. This ensures maximum efficiency of the educational process and the achievement of the set goals. Properly organized monitoring of professional training helps to improve the qualifications of employees and improve the company's productivity.

How to Keep Track of Training for Employees: Evaluation

Employee training and its effectiveness are strongly tied to motivation, so in conditions of total control, you may face resistance from employees. If training isn’t included in direct responsibilities, while all third-party sites are blocked in the company, and tea can only be drunk on schedule or once every 8 hours, you should not expect high employee loyalty. Evaluation of the effectiveness of employee training is carried out through such tools as:

• Interviews, questionnaires, and surveys will show employee satisfaction with the quality of training.
• A final test, quiz or exam that will show how well the material has been learned.
• Effective online training implies easy passing of tests and solving practical tasks.
• Analysis of business indicators after training. For example, in production, they use the formula S = (P*C)-Q, where S is the economic effect, P is the increase in production for a certain unit of time; C is the cost of producing a unit of the company's output for a selected period of time; Q is the cost of training.

After several months of systematic tracking of business indicators during corporate training, you can see how it affected:

• profit growth;
• entering new markets or positions in the old one;
• optimization or change in sales levels;
• quality of products or service;
• defect level or customer feedback.

Evaluation of the corporate training effectiveness is also possible through indirect indicators, for example, measuring the level of employee turnover. The process of receiving feedback from employees can also be considered a means of monitoring trainiEffective online training should be voluntary, employees should choose it consciously. Alternatively, you can provide access to exclusive materials in the LMS as a reward for professional achievements.

How to Track Training for Employees With Proxy Metrics

Training is an investment in people, and like any investment, it needs to show results. The key goal of internal training programs is to maximize employee learning while minimizing costs. This means increasing the time employees are willing to dedicate to training while also reducing the cost per training hour. But measuring whether training actually improves performance and benefits the business isn’t always straightforward.

A proxy metrics system helps track how training influences employees' soft skills, hard skills, and leadership abilities. Since businesses constantly evolve, it’s difficult to attribute specific business outcomes directly to training. However, proxy metrics make it possible to evaluate the overall impact of training on employee performance.

Measuring Soft Skill Development

One of the most effective ways to assess soft skills is by evaluating how employees perceive the value of training. If an employee sees it as beneficial, they are more likely to apply what they learned. A useful metric for this is satisfaction with time invested in training. Employees assess whether the time spent learning was more valuable than using that time for work. They rate their experience on a scale from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating a more positive impact.

Another way to measure effectiveness is by tracking goal achievement. Employees set learning objectives before training, and after completing the program, they indicate whether those objectives were met. A high match between intended and achieved goals suggests the training was relevant and effective. If there is a low match, it may indicate a misalignment between training content and employee expectations, either due to unclear communication about learning outcomes or a lack of pre-training discussions to align expectations.

A more practical way to measure impact is through the transformation rate. This assesses whether employees apply what they’ve learned in their daily work. A few months after training, they are asked whether their skills have improved as a result of the course. This self-assessment provides insights into whether the training had a lasting effect on job performance.

Evaluating Hard Skills Through Performance Metrics

The same principles used for soft skills apply to hard skills, but with additional layers of assessment. Pre- and post-training tests help measure knowledge improvement. By comparing test results before and after training, companies can quantify learning progress.

Performance metrics such as KPI improvements are also useful for assessing training effectiveness. If training was designed to address a specific issue, KPI trends can be analyzed a few months later to determine whether there has been a noticeable change.

Employee retention can also serve as an indirect indicator of training success. A well-structured training program should help employees feel more competent and valued, leading to lower turnover rates. If a company sees a decrease in employer-initiated terminations after implementing a training program, it suggests that employees are effectively applying their new skills.

Managers play a crucial role in assessing training outcomes. The manager’s transformation rate measures how leadership perceives changes in employee performance after training. If a manager notices improved efficiency, problem-solving abilities, or technical expertise in their team members, it reinforces the value of the training program.

Leadership Training and Its Impact on Team Performance

Leadership skills combine elements of both soft and hard skills, but they are specific to managers. Unlike general communication or negotiation skills that benefit all employees, leadership skills focus on guiding teams, making strategic decisions, and fostering a productive work environment.

The effectiveness of leadership training can be measured by tracking both individual and team performance. If a leader effectively applies new management techniques, their team is more likely to meet performance targets. When employees under a newly trained leader achieve higher KPIs, it suggests that the manager is providing better guidance, feedback, and support.

Employee engagement and satisfaction with leadership are also important indicators. Teams led by well-trained managers tend to report higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates. If employees feel supported and encouraged in their professional growth, they are more likely to stay with the company and perform at a higher level.

What Metrics to Track for Employee Training

From the above, we've already understood that tracking employee training is crucial if you want to guarantee your team is learning effectively and staying compliant with industry standards. But what exactly should you track? Just collecting data isn't enough — you need the right metrics to make meaningful improvements. Here are some key metrics to keep an eye on:

#1. Course Completion Rates – This shows how many employees have finished their training programs. Low completion rates might indicate that courses are too long, unengaging, or not relevant to employees' roles.‍

💡Note: Helps businesses identify training gaps and improve course content to boost completion rates.

#2. Time Spent on Training – Measures how long employees take to complete courses. If it's taking too long, the material might be too complex or poorly structured.‍

💡Note: Provides insights into training efficiency and helps optimize course length and structure.

#3. Assessment Scores – Tracks how well employees perform on quizzes and tests. If scores are consistently low, training content may need improvement.‍

💡Note: Highlights areas where employees struggle and informs content revisions for better learning outcomes.

#4. Employee Engagement Levels – Looks at participation metrics like discussion board activity, time spent on the LMS, or voluntary training enrollments. Higher engagement suggests employees find value in the training.‍

💡Note: Indicates whether employees are actively involved in training and helps refine engagement strategies.

#5. Training Attendance Rates – If you have live sessions, webinars, or instructor-led training, tracking attendance helps ensure employees are actively participating.‍

💡Note: Ensures employees are present for key training sessions and identifies areas needing reinforcement.

#6. Skill Development Progress – Measures how well employees acquire new skills over time. This can be tracked through post-training evaluations or practical applications on the job.‍

💡Note: Helps businesses track workforce skill growth and ensure employees develop required competencies.

#7. Certification Completion – Essential for industries with compliance requirements, this tracks employees who complete necessary certifications on time.‍

💡Note: Ensures compliance with industry regulations and helps businesses avoid penalties.

#8. Feedback and Satisfaction Scores – Employee feedback surveys provide insights into whether training is effective and engaging. High dissatisfaction rates mean it's time to make changes.‍

💡Note: Guides training improvements based on employee opinions and enhances learning experiences.

#9. Post-Training Performance Improvement – Compares employee performance before and after training to measure the impact of learning on their job skills.‍

💡Note: Demonstrates the effectiveness of training programs and justifies training investments.

#10. Training ROI (Return on Investment) – Looks at how training investments translate into business growth, employee efficiency, or cost savings.‍

💡Note: Helps businesses evaluate the financial impact of training and optimize future training budgets.

Keeping tabs on these numbers means your training isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a powerful tool for growth and success!

What Tools You Need to Track Employee Training

Tracking employee training isn’t just about keeping records — it’s about making sure learning actually translates into better performance. There are several tools you can use to monitor training progress, each serving a different purpose.

• Spreadsheets – A simple but manual way to track training sessions, completions, and deadlines. Works for small teams, but becomes a hassle as you scale.
• Project Management Software (Trello, Asana, Notion) – Useful for assigning training tasks, setting deadlines, and tracking progress, but lacks deep insights into learning effectiveness.
• HR Software – Many HR platforms have built-in training trackers, but they often focus on compliance rather than skill development.

While these tools can help, an LMS with advanced tracking features is the best option for businesses that want real-time insights into employee training. An advanced LMS does more than just track course completions — it provides:

• Automated progress tracking so you don’t have to follow up manually.
• Certification and compliance management to ensure employees meet industry requirements.
• Detailed reporting and analytics that show training effectiveness and areas for improvement. 
• Custom learning paths that tailor training to different roles and skills.
• Seamless integration with HR and performance management systems to connect learning with employee development.

Final Thought

Tracking employee training isn’t just about checking boxes — it’s about building a workplace where learning never stops. If your team isn’t actively growing their skills, it might be a sign that leadership isn’t making professional development a priority. But when companies weave learning into everyday work, employees stay engaged, innovative, and ready to take on new challenges. And the payoff? Higher productivity, better retention, and a stronger business overall.

Want to make training tracking easier and more effective? Check out this guide on the best employee training tracking tools to streamline the process and keep your team on the path to success!

Keep learning, keep growing, and keep leveling up — because when your team wins, your whole business wins. Here’s to a future full of growth and success!