Why Collaborative Learning Is Reshaping Workplace Training

As Etienne Wenger said, “Learning is a social process, and the learning culture of an organisation shapes everything.”

After 50+ years of delivering corporate training, we've noticed a fundamental shift in how the most successful organisations approach learning. What if the key to better workplace training wasn't in more courses or new technologies but in people learning from each other?

That is the essence of collaborative learning and social learning. These approaches are rapidly transforming how organisations build capability, foster engagement, and create resilient cultures.

But what exactly are they, and why do they matter more than ever?

What Is Collaborative and Social Learning?

Collaborative learning is structured group-based learning. It involves employees working together towards shared goals, solving problems, or reflecting on projects. Think of a cross-functional team running a retrospective after a product launch or a project debrief led by multiple stakeholders.

Social learning is more fluid. It happens through observation, imitation, and interaction like watching how a colleague handles a difficult client call, sharing tips in a Slack thread, or having an informal peer mentoring session.

You’re probably already doing some of this. But when these methods are intentionally designed into your L&D strategy, they become a powerful driver of growth.

A Shift in Learning Culture

Traditional training is often seen as something done to employees. A course is scheduled. An expert delivers. Learners absorb and move on.

Collaborative and social learning flip that on its head. They position employees as active participants and even co-creators of knowledge.

This shift mirrors deeper changes in modern work culture: flatter structures, agile teamwork, and psychological safety. It reflects a new understanding that learning is not just an event. It is part of the everyday fabric of work.

The Business Case for Social and Collaborative Learning

In our experience working with leadership teams across various industries, we've seen organisations achieve 40% higher engagement rates when collaborative elements are integrated into their training programmes. These models are not just progressive, they’re practical.

According to LinkedIn Learning’s Workplace Learning Report, 94% of employees say they would stay longer at a company that invests in their development. But engagement isn’t driven only by more content. It thrives when people feel connected and included in the learning process.

The benefits are clear:

• Faster adoption of new skills through peer modelling
• Higher retention and engagement as learning becomes social
• Stronger knowledge sharing that breaks down silos
• A true learning culture, where development is part of the day-to-day

Want to explore how collaborative learning could work in your organisation? Our training consultants can help you design the right approach that fits your culture and goals.

Proven Models and Practical Approaches

Collaborative and social learning take many shapes. Some of the most effective models include:

• Peer-to-peer coaching or mentoring schemes that encourage reflective learning and accountability, this is why our Coaching for Success programme includes structured peer mentoring components that extend learning beyond the classroom.
• Communities of practice, where people regularly meet to share expertise and explore problems
• Learning circles or knowledge cafés, which bring people together in small groups to discuss key topics
• Use of collaborative platforms like Microsoft Teams, Miro, or Notion to co-create ideas
• User-generated content such as quick ‘how-to’ videos or internal blogs produced by staff for staff

These approaches can be integrated with more formal learning to reinforce and extend the impact of traditional training.

Overcoming Common Challenges

At GBS Corporate Training, we address these challenges through our ILM-accredited programmes that blend structured expertise with collaborative momentum. Our flexible delivery options, in-house, virtual, or blended, allow you to integrate collaborative elements seamlessly into your existing training schedule.

So why doesn’t every organisation do this?

Often, barriers arise around time, resources, or fears of losing control over learning outcomes. Leadership may worry that peer-led learning lacks rigour. Or teams might feel they are “too busy” to try something new.

There are ways around this:

• Train team leads to become confident learning facilitators
• Build structured, time-bound collaborative events, like 30-minute idea swaps or monthly learning cafés
• Use feedback tools to measure what works and improve what doesn’t

In short, support your people to lead learning, without leaving it to chance.

Blending Collaborative Learning with Hybrid Delivery

Use live workshops to kick-start collaborative projects, our Leading High Performing Teams course specifically addresses collaborative leadership skills that managers need to facilitate peer learning effectively

Collaborative learning doesn’t replace your existing L&D programme. It enhances it.

For example:

• Follow e-learning modules with facilitated group discussion sessions
• Use live workshops to kick-start collaborative projects
• Build buddy systems into onboarding to pair new hires with experienced staff

The key is intentionality. This is not chaotic, unstructured activity. It is smart learning design that respects time, supports autonomy, and deepens impact.

Learning Together Builds More Than Skills

At the heart of collaborative and social learning is a simple truth: people learn better together.

They gain confidence not just from courses, but from conversations. They remember what they teach each other. They grow in a culture that trusts them to contribute.

At GBS Corporate Training, we help organisations bring this culture to life through our comprehensive catalogue of 98+ courses across 11 major categories. Our ILM-accredited programmes are designed for real-world application, combining structured expertise with collaborative momentum to create lasting business impact.

Discover how GBS Corporate can help you integrate collaborative learning into your strategy.

Visit our Management & Leadership or Custom Blended Learning courses to learn more.