Beyond Training: How Microlearning and Just-in-Time Learning Can Boost Performance

Time is one of the most valuable resources employees have—and one of the scarcest. Traditional training still plays a vital role, but it often struggles to keep up with the rapid changes in tools, processes, and expectations. That’s where microlearning and just-in-time (JIT) learning come in, offering a more agile, targeted way to close skill gaps without pulling people away from their work for hours at a time.

These strategies are more than buzzwords. They’re practical, performance-driven approaches that help employees learn exactly what they need, when they need it, in formats that stick.

What Is Microlearning?

Microlearning delivers content in small, digestible chunks (about five to ten minutes), focused on a single objective. Think of it as a “training snack” instead of a full-course meal.

Examples of microlearning include:

• A short video walking through how to use a new software feature
• An interactive quiz reinforcing safety protocols
• A one-page job aid summarizing key customer service phrases

Because it’s brief and targeted, microlearning fits easily into an employee’s workflow. They can complete it during a coffee break or between meetings, then immediately apply what they’ve learned. For example, 78 percent of employees in one study felt more confident than before their microlearning training.

What Is Just-in-Time Learning?

JIT learning takes the “small and focused” concept one step further. It provides access to information or training precisely at the moment it’s needed, such as immediately before performing a task, during a troubleshooting session, or when an unexpected challenge arises.

Examples of JIT learning include:

• A searchable knowledge base with step-by-step process guides
• A mobile app offering instant access to technical specifications
• A chatbot that delivers quick answers during a sales call

This approach keeps learning tied directly to job performance, ensuring the information is not only relevant but also more likely to be remembered because it’s used immediately.

Why They Work So Well Together

Microlearning builds a foundation of skills in manageable doses. JIT learning reinforces and expands on that foundation in the exact moments employees face real-world challenges. Together, they:

• Reduce cognitive overload by focusing on one skill or problem at a time
• Minimize downtime by integrating learning into the workflow
• Increase retention through immediate application
• Offer flexibility for different learning styles and paces

Addressing Skill Gaps Quickly

Skill gaps don’t always announce themselves weeks in advance. Sometimes they appear suddenly, like when an employee takes on new responsibilities, a system update changes workflows, or a client asks for something outside the team’s comfort zone.

By having microlearning modules and JIT resources ready to go, organizations can respond within hours instead of scheduling multi-day training sessions weeks later. This speed not only keeps projects on track but also boosts employee confidence and adaptability.

Putting It Into Practice

If you’re ready to add these strategies to your training toolkit, start small:

1. Audit your existing resources. See what can be broken down into shorter modules.
2. Identify frequent “help moments.” Ask employees when and where they most often need guidance.
3. Make it easy to find. Even the best quick guide won’t help if no one knows it exists.
4. Gather feedback. Short lessons can be refined quickly—use learner feedback to make them better.

Final Thoughts

Microlearning and JIT learning don’t replace traditional training; they complement it. By offering employees the right knowledge in the right dose at the right time, organizations can close skill gaps faster, improve performance, and keep pace with change.

Related Blogs

From Concept to Completion: Microlearning Design Best Practices

Closing the Skills Gap: How Businesses can Predict and Address Workforce Needs

The Crucial Role of On-the-Job Training in Rebuilding America’s Workforce

References

Andriotis, Nikos. “5 Examples Of Just-in-Time Training In The Workplace.” eLearning Industry. 5/12/21. Accessed 8/18/25. https://elearningindustry.com/examples-just-in-time-training-in-workplace

Hazelton, Robyn. “9 Examples of Skills Gaps in the Workplace (and How To Close Them).” Intellum. 6/29/23. Accessed 8/11/25. https://www.intellum.com/resources/blog/examples-of-skills-gaps-in-the-workplace 

Hesse A., P. Ospina, M. Wieland, F.A. Leal Yepes, B. Nguyen, and W. Heuwieser. “Short communication: Microlearning courses are effective at increasing the feelings of confidence and accuracy in the work of dairy personnel.” Accessed 8/11/25. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030219306605