Choosing an LMS for the Manufacturing Industry

Nov 13, 2025 | Articles, Employee Training and Employee Experience Design

Key findings:

  • Manufacturing faces a significant skills gap and worker shortage: Deloitte projects a need for 3.8 million new workers between 2024 and 2033, with a potential 1.9 million of those jobs going unfilled due to the skills gap.
  • Technology is rapidly changing the required skill set: 65% of workforce leaders report that the skills needed for manufacturing jobs are evolving faster than the workforce’s current capabilities, necessitating rapid upskilling.
  • Traditional, in-person training methods do not scale effectively: The case study of Graco Inc. demonstrates that moving from in-person to an LMS-based training system (Graco University) streamlined the process, doubling the learner reach from 5,000 to 12,000 distributors and allowing immediate training access.
  • An LMS is essential for quickly distributing new and updated content: For manufacturers needing to rapidly skill up their workforce, an LMS allows L&D teams to scale learning and distribute new content faster than traditional methods.
  • Manufacturers require an LMS with specific, industry-focused features: Key features to look for include support for blended learning, multimedia content, automated certifications and compliance tracking, and crucial offline/mobile access for field workers.

A few years ago, Graco Inc. completely changed its partner training process. Graco, a Minneapolis-based company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of fluid-handling systems and products, had been training its distributors in person. However, the approach was slowing down sales; the company had thousands of distributors worldwide and they couldn’t sell until they’d traveled to a Graco location for training.

This approach didn’t scale, so Graco moved its training to a learning management system (LMS), setting up Graco University. The move to an LMS streamlined the training process; the company’s learners grew from 5,000 to 12,000, and distributors were able to get started with training as soon as they were hired.

Like Graco, many manufacturers may be used to traditional methods of training, like in-person or on the job learning. The right LMS, however, can be a valuable addition to industrial training programs.

Why is an LMS an essential tool for manufacturers?

Manufacturers have been struggling with a skill shortage in recent years. A recent Deloitte report found that manufacturers need to recruit 3.8 million new workers between 2024 and 2033. However, there is a danger that 1.9 million of those jobs could go unfilled, due to the skills gap.

Part of the problem is that manufacturing technology changes fast; 65% of workforce leaders told researchers that the skills needed for manufacturing jobs are changing faster than the skills of the workforce. This has made hiring and retaining workers with the necessary skillset for open roles a challenge.

Another issue is the aging workforce; older workers are retiring, taking institutional knowledge with them. This means that, while the manufacturing sector’s growth demands more and more skilled workers, the number of workers currently trained to meet that demand are aging out of the workforce.

To catch up, manufacturers need to skill up their existing workforce fast. For those that may rely on traditional in-person training, it can be tough to quickly distribute new and updated learning content to an existing workforce. By using an LMS, learning and development (L&D) teams can scale learning and distribute new content fast, which is a key part of building an effective manufacturing training strategy.

Not all LMS platforms are created equal, however. It’s important for manufacturers to choose the platform that compliments their learning and business goals.

What LMS features should manufacturers look for?

When choosing an LMS, it’s important for manufacturers to find a platform that can adapt to the changing needs of the industry. The right features make all the difference, transforming an LMS from a simple content repository into a strategic asset:

  • Support for blended learning: Manufacturing learning mixes formats. While self-guided learning through augmented and virtual reality is used widely, the manufacturing sector also prioritizes learning on the job and job shadowing. The right LMS should be able to support all of these training modalities, and adapt to new ones as they are developed.
  • Multimedia support: LMSes are about more than self-guided quizzes. Look for an LMS able to host video, animations, PDF SOPs, interactive simulations, and instructor-led training scheduling.
  • Certifications and compliance tracking: Look for automated re-certification reminders, expiration tracking, and downloadable completion records for audits.
  • Offline & mobile access: Field technicians and distributors often work in low- or no-coverage environments. An LMS with offline content syncing and a mobile app is crucial.
  • Channel training: If you train distributors, dealers, or contractors separately from internal employees, look for multi-portal support or branded instances so partner training can be separated and customized.
  • SCORM/xAPI and content authoring: Support for SCORM and xAPI gives you portability and richer data. Built-in authoring tools (or seamless integration with your content tools) mean you can rapidly create and update technical modules.
  • Robust reporting & analytics: It can be difficult to prove the ROI of learning and development. However, when your LMS offers strong reporting, it allows you to build dashboards for plant managers and regional leads and tie training to the KPIs that matter, such as safety incidents, first-time fix rates, and churn.
  • Security, data residency, and single sign-on: Because manufacturers often have strict data-control and SSO needs, look for a LMS that offers security features and can tell you where data is housed.
  • Scalability & performance: If your organization trains tens of thousands of learners across the world, it’s important to make sure everyone is getting training when they need it. Ensure the platform you choose scales without latency.

How can manufacturers benefit from an LMS?

Manufacturers rely on learning to keep their operations moving forward. They depend on compliance training, safety training, as well as upskilling so their workers are prepared for brand new technology. For manufacturing companies with limited L&D resources, choosing the right LMS is critical. Many manufacturers‚ like Graco, are turning to all-in-one learning solutions with comprehensive libraries of pre-made courses in order to fill out their training programs, and avoid the administrative strain associated with traditional industrial training.

Graco found that moving to a learner-centric LMS can double your reach, let people start learning from day one, and deliver measurable business outcomes, from better sales enablement to consistent, auditable certifications.

Is your training making an impact? To explore how Litmos can drive real business outcomes for your manufacturing business, reach out for a free trial today!