Across all U.S. sectors, more than $101.8 billion was spent on training and development in 2023.1
We already know that food safety training is the best way to reduce the risk of foodborne illness and improve customer satisfaction. Unfortunately, many training dollars are spent on antiquated programs that don’t actually meet your team’s needs.
Some numbers to consider: the turnover rate for food and beverage managers is two and a half times higher than the industry average of 10%.2 Companies with up-to-date and practical training experiences are 17% more productive and experience 70% fewer safety incidents.3
The takeaway? Training is a crucial aspect of a successful business–and career.
So, how do you choose effective training that suits your needs?
There is an art and science to developing training programs. Whether you’re a foodservice worker looking for career growth opportunities or a manager considering training for their team, you can ensure you choose the best learning provider by looking for programs that incorporate certain key features.
Let’s dive into the training trends Trust20 is tracking as we approach 2025.
1. Offering self-directed learning and autonomy
The days of taking off work to sit in a classroom or sitting the whole team down in the breakroom to watch a video or listen to a presentation are over.
People working in the food industry have such varied schedules that these are unrealistic (and ineffective) learning options. Even pre-shift meetings may help communicate immediate updates, but those brief stand-ups won’t ensure everyone can integrate new information or skills into their daily work habit.
If you or your team want to retain the information learned during training, the content must be available for people on their own terms–anytime, anywhere, across any device.
Since effective learning takes time and repetition, looking for providers who offer mobile-friendly options and the ability to start and stop courses as needed is vital.
So, if you want to successfully memorize the major food allergens or understand how to apply HACCP in your establishment, it is important to seek out training that allows you or your team to complete courses independently.
2. Prioritizing continuous improvement
The foodservice industry is constantly changing, which means training providers should always be willing to adapt and grow, too.
When choosing a new provider or course, look for information about when a program was released, when it was last updated, and whether a training provider offers opportunities for feedback.
Training providers who seek feedback and regularly update their products typically believe in continuous improvement and prioritize making their products learner-centric.
With upcoming changes to federal food safety regulations, continuous improvement will be an even more essential value in a training provider for 2025.
3. Designing for decreased attention spans
Uninterrupted time is a luxury that many in the foodservice industry simply do not have.
Courses incorporating microlearning make content easy to consume in small bites, digest the information, and then check retention one section at a time.
Microlearning allows busy staff to develop their skills and knowledge a bit at a time, making career growth more accessible for those who can’t dedicate multiple consecutive hours to long-form training and supports learners with decreasing attention spans and various learning styles.4
Segmented modules and standalone lessons allow for variety in structure and design, so visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners can benefit equally—and those who get easily distracted won’t feel lost.
Set yourself up for success in 2025 by choosing training programs with clear learning objectives that break down topics into manageable sections.
4. Engaging learners through gamification
The days of earning a diploma, certificate, or degree and then calling it quits on further education are gone. However, e-learning has made continuing education more accessible than ever.
Interactive, engaging, and fun courses help people retain more information and become better (and happier) at their jobs.
Gamification, or using games and activities to enhance training experiences, is one strategy that instructional designers use to craft more engaging training programs.
Lessons incorporating games and periodic knowledge checks help prevent learners from zoning out or picking up a different device to scroll while the training goes on in the background.
According to Gabe Zichermann, author of Gamification by Design, gamification increases skill retention by up to 40%.6
Gamification has become popular because it works!
5. Upskilling and crosstraining existing staff
A recent study found that the average tenure of restaurant staff hired in the past year was slightly over three months.5 This statistic indicates a continued struggle with turnover and low staff engagement in the food industry.
While flexible schedules and cash bonuses may entice workers in the door, these strategies don’t necessarily build loyalty or a rapport between an individual and their manager.
Internal upskilling and crosstraining can benefit an establishment by closing the skill gaps among the team and benefits staff by promoting career development.
It also boosts loyalty. Staff frequently leave a company because they don’t see a clear career path that includes opportunities to learn new skills and advance their career. In fact, 24% of workers state this as their top reason for quitting a job!7
Training programs that support upskilling or crosstraining people already invested in an industry or business help create happier, more engaged, and more confident staff.
Keep an eye out for providers who support multiple roles and sectors within the food industry professionals–including food handlers, persons in charge, managers, operators, educators, healthcare workers, and beyond.
6. Prioritizing diversity and inclusion
For several years, there has already been a movement toward increased diversity and inclusion in training.
Leading training providers intentionally feature representations of people from multiple backgrounds, offer courses in multiple languages, and ensure that training programs offer accessibility features.
Training courses incorporating diversity and inclusion are more likely to create a supportive learning environment for staff from diverse backgrounds–enhancing their learning experience.
In turn, diverse teams are 39% more likely to perform at a higher level.8
It appears that diversity and inclusion will only become more critical to effective training in 2025.
Trust20’s vision for the future
These six trends are not passing fads. Instead, we should consider them as guiding principles for creating and maintaining training courses.
Iteration and continuous growth are at the heart of Trust20’s training products. We are constantly working to make our mobile-friendly courses more engaging, accessible, and relatable.
Our mission is to advance the food safety culture in the United States. We envision a more knowledgeable and capable foodservice industry.
With that in mind, we will continue to monitor the state of the food and beverage industry–and the training requirements that keep it moving.
Ready to elevate your next training session? Try one of Trust20’s courses and experience the future of foodservice training today.
**Editor's Note: This blog was originally posted in 2024 and has been updated to include new statistics and additional information.
Sources:
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Statista: U.S.: training industry expenditure 2023 | Statista
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Johnson & Wales University: Reducing Employee Turnover Rates in the F&B Sector
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Gallup: Strengths-Based Employee Development: The Business Results
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Wilson College: What Are the Benefits of Microlearning?
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7Shifts: Restaurant Turnover Rate: Why It Happens & How to Reduce It | 7shifts
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Business Insider: 'Gamification' Techniques Increase Your Employees' Ability to Learn by 40% - Business Insider
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Work Institute: 2022 Retention Report
