how can you push learner to complete the course

This is a struggle for us too…

If it’s mandatory, the very definition implies that there will be some repercussions for not completing the task...but without any repercussions, there are folks that simply will not comply.  So, therefore, is it mandatory?

We struggle with this a lot as well and until there are repercussions for not doing something, nothing will change for those typical ‘non-doers’.

The other way to potentially go about it is to award those that do and maybe, just maybe the no-doers will follow suit.

We haven’t found the secret to this at all.  While we say mandatory, it truly is not because we don’t have repercussions set. We are looking to formalize our internal processes to help get managers involved, but that is slow for us...so, until then...

I am interested in hearing what others come up with to maybe help out.

Agree there’s no quick fix for this...It can be a combination of 

• mandatory for compliance - user has no choice and must complete
• mandatory as it relates to user’s intent to learn and advance in their job, role, etc. - usually part of a larger plan whether a learning plan or other program
• optional/recommended are the toughest since users will only complete if they see a benefit; adding these clear messages in the course descriptions or highlighting course objectives and the “what’s in it for me” question can be helpful in some cases
• you can use incentives or gamification to encourage users to consume fro content
• making content smaller and quicker to consume is also a good tactic
• using channels for topic based informal learning - does everything need to be a course?

these are just some of the items we run through when looking at ways to improve adoption rates.

In our company,  Quality management related training are audited very often. For this type of training, We have configured automatic “escalation notification” to the direct managers after 2 weeks not completion. ( Even thought we still don’t reach 100% completion target for Quality trainings.)

For all the non-quality trainings , such as product training for sales and customer services people , are also considered as Mandatory.  But we don’t want to bombard managers with all these escalation notification. 
 

Gamification is one way. Instead of have a Rewards Marketplace, I run a Monthly raffle and the user can use their points/coins for one raffle ticket. This way I don’t have to spend money and time on multiple rewards available anytime.