Organizations increasingly rely on eLearning contractors to build online training quickly without increasing permanent headcount. Whether you’re launching a new LMS, updating compliance training, or converting instructor-led courses into eLearning, hiring a contract eLearning professional can provide specialized expertise, faster delivery, and greater flexibility than hiring a full-time employee. This article explains when hiring an eLearning contractor makes sense and how to choose the right one.
9 Things to Consider when Hiring an eLearning Developer
Benefits of Using eLearning Contractors
1. Cost-Effective Talent Acquisition
One of the biggest advantages of hiring an eLearning contractor is the cost savings. When you hire a full-time employee, you’re responsible for salary, benefits, and ongoing training costs. With a contractor, you’re only paying for the work that’s needed, without long-term financial commitments. This makes hiring contractors an ideal solution for companies with fluctuating eLearning needs or tight budgets.
For example, if you need a custom course developed for a new software rollout, an eLearning contractor can come in, complete the project, and you’re not left with the ongoing costs of a permanent employee once the course is finished. It’s a pay-for-what-you-need model that’s flexible and scalable.
2. Access to Specialized Expertise
eLearning contractors bring a wealth of specialized knowledge and experience to the table. Many have worked on diverse projects across industries, which means they’re often well-versed in the latest instructional design techniques, learning technologies, and industry trends. Need someone who’s proficient in gamification, microlearning, or adaptive learning? An experienced contractor has likely developed similar programs before and can apply that expertise to your project immediately.
Because eLearning contractors work with a variety of clients, they also stay current with the latest tools like Articulate 360, Vyond, and WellSaid Labs. This means they can bring innovative solutions to your company, ensuring your training programs are not only effective but also engaging and cutting-edge.
Experienced eLearning contractors often specialize in areas such as compliance training, systems training, sales enablement, leadership development, onboarding, software simulations, accessibility, and AI-assisted content development.
3. Quick Turnaround on Projects
When you need training materials developed fast, hiring an eLearning contractor can help you meet your deadlines without sacrificing quality. Contractors are used to working under tight deadlines and typically focus on your project full-time until it’s completed. This is a big advantage over full-time employees who may have to juggle multiple internal responsibilities.
For instance, if you need a new compliance training module developed in a matter of weeks, an eLearning contractor can focus solely on your project, delivering high-quality work faster than your internal team might be able to. This is especially beneficial for companies launching new initiatives or rolling out training on updated policies or systems.
4. Flexibility and Scalability
One of the key benefits of hiring an eLearning contractor is the flexibility they offer. If your company has an ebb and flow in eLearning development needs, contractors allow you to scale up when there’s high demand and scale back when projects slow down. You’re not locked into a long-term employment contract, which gives you the ability to bring in top-tier talent as needed.
This flexibility is particularly useful for companies that have seasonal training programs or sporadic projects that require custom eLearning solutions. Instead of overburdening your internal team or hiring a full-time employee who may not have enough to do between initiatives, you can hire an eLearning contractor to jump in for a specific project, then scale down when it’s complete.
5. Fresh Perspectives and Creativity
Because eLearning contractors work with multiple clients across different industries, they bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to your projects. This can be especially valuable if your internal team has been developing the same types of training for years and could benefit from a new perspective.
For example, if your team has been producing traditional eLearning courses, a contractor might introduce you to more interactive and engaging options like scenario-based learning or branching scenarios. These fresh approaches can make your training more effective and memorable for employees.
6. Reduced Risk
Hiring a full-time employee comes with risks, especially if you’re not sure about the long-term demand for eLearning development in your company. Contractors, however, reduce that risk because they’re brought in for specific projects. If your needs change, you’re not stuck with a permanent employee whose skills may no longer align with your evolving business goals.
Additionally, many eLearning contractors come with references, portfolios, and a proven track record, making it easier to vet their capabilities and fit for your company. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re hiring someone who has successfully completed similar projects in the past.
When an eLearning Contractor Makes Sense
Hiring an eLearning contractor isn’t always the right solution. The best choice depends on the nature of your work, your staffing needs, and your budget. If your organization has a steady pipeline of eLearning development year-round, hiring a full-time employee may make sense. But if you’re facing a temporary surge in work, need specialized expertise, or have a project with a defined timeline, bringing in a contractor can provide the flexibility and experience you need without adding permanent headcount.
The table below highlights situations where hiring an eLearning contractor is often the better choice compared to expanding your full-time team.
|
Hire a Contractor When...
|
Hire a Full-Time Employee When...
|
|---|---|
You have a temporary project. |
Work is ongoing year-round. |
You need specialized expertise. |
You need long-term institutional knowledge. |
Deadlines are tight. |
Hiring timelines are flexible. |
Budget only covers a project. |
Budget supports permanent headcount. |
Workload fluctuates. |
Workload remains steady. |
Organizations don’t have to choose one approach exclusively. Many maintain a core internal learning and development team while partnering with eLearning contractors during periods of growth, major technology implementations, large curriculum redesigns, or other high-demand initiatives. This blended approach provides the flexibility to scale resources up or down as project needs change while keeping permanent staffing levels aligned with long-term business needs.
Working Successfully with Contract L&D Professionals
How to Hire the Right eLearning Contractor
When you’re ready to hire an eLearning contractor, here are a few tips to ensure you find the right fit:
Define the Scope of Work:
Be clear about the project’s requirements, timeline, and your expectations. This will help you find a contractor whose experience aligns with your needs.
Review Portfolios and References:
Look at their previous work and talk to past clients to get a sense of their style, creativity, and reliability.
Ensure Flexibility:
While eLearning contractors are used to working independently, maintaining regular communication is key to ensuring the project stays on track. Make sure the contractor is open to feedback and collaboration throughout the process.
Look Beyond Technical Skills:
The best eLearning contractors combine technical expertise with strong instructional design skills, business understanding, and communication. Someone who knows Storyline isn’t necessarily someone who can design effective learning experiences. Review completed projects to understand how the contractor solved learning problems—not just how polished the courses look.
Utilize a Staffing Company:
Save time and effort by working with a company that specializes in vetting eLearning contractors such as TrainingPros. We have already done the heavy lifting by reviewing portfolios, checking references, and we have already seen the results of each contractor. This way, you can be confident you’re getting a top-tier professional without the hassle of doing the vetting yourself.
Final Thoughts
Hiring an eLearning contractor offers numerous benefits, from cost savings to access to specialized expertise. Whether you need a short-term solution for a specific project or ongoing support for your training programs, contractors provide the flexibility and scalability that today’s businesses need.
If your company is looking to streamline training development, reduce overhead costs, and get fresh perspectives on your eLearning initiatives, hiring a contractor could be the perfect solution.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring eLearning Contractors
What is the difference between an eLearning contractor and an eLearning developer?
An eLearning contractor refers to the hiring arrangement, while an eLearning developer describes the person’s role and skills. An organization may hire an eLearning developer as a contractor for a specific project or employ one full time. Many organizations choose contractors when they need specialized expertise for a defined initiative without adding permanent headcount.
When should I hire an eLearning contractor instead of a full-time employee?
Hiring an eLearning contractor makes sense when you have a defined project, a temporary increase in workload, specialized technical requirements, or a tight deadline. If your organization has ongoing development work year-round, a full-time employee may be more cost effective.
Are eLearning contractors more expensive than employees?
Contractors typically have higher hourly rates, but they often cost less overall because organizations avoid expenses such as benefits, payroll taxes, paid time off, recruiting costs, and downtime between projects. For project-based work, many organizations find contractors provide a better overall return on investment.
Can an eLearning contractor work with our internal learning team?
Yes. Many organizations use contractors to supplement their existing L&D team. Contractors often collaborate with instructional designers, project managers, SMEs, graphic designers, and learning leaders to accelerate projects while allowing internal employees to stay focused on strategic priorities.
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