Cross-training employees: 5 benefits you can’t ignore

Cross-training employees is a simple but powerful way to keep teams flexible, improve productivity, and make sure important knowledge doesn’t get lost. 

The importance of cross-training in the workplace has grown as businesses deal with talent shortages, shifting job roles, and new technology. When employees can handle different tasks, companies become more resilient and efficient, with fewer delays, bottlenecks, and a smoother workflow overall. 

That said, cross-training isn’t perfect. If not planned well, it can lead to burnout, resistance from employees, or even lower work quality. 

In this article, we’ll discuss five key benefits of cross-training employees and share tips on how to do it correctly. 

What is cross-training, and why does it matter? 

Cross-training employees means teaching them new skills beyond their main job responsibilities. Unlike upskilling, which deepens knowledge in a specific area, or reskilling, which prepares employees for entirely new roles, cross-training focuses on versatility. 

To learn more about the latest corporate learning trends, check out our article: Corporate e-learning: 5 trends shaping workplace training. 

Real-world example: How WSP Australia reduced knowledge loss 

WSP Australia, a global engineering firm, faced a major challenge. When experienced employees retired, they took decades of knowledge with them. The company needed a way to capture and share expertise across teams. 

By introducing a knowledge-sharing strategy with Easygenerator, WSP empowered employees to create learning content independently. As a result, WSP now has 97 internal course authors and over 190 courses, ensuring critical knowledge stays within the company. This approach has helped prevent knowledge drain and improved collaboration across teams. 

5 benefits of cross-training employees 

Now, let’s explore what are the benefits of cross-training employees and why it’s a game-changer for organizations. 

1. More flexibility in the workplace

When employees can handle different tasks, businesses can adapt more easily to changes. If someone is sick or leaves suddenly, others can step in without slowing things down. This keeps work moving and helps companies avoid delays. 

A cross-training program also makes scheduling easier. Managers don’t have to rely on one person for important tasks, and employees can help in different areas when needed. This makes the whole team more efficient and less stressed. 

2. Better teamwork and communication

When employees learn different jobs, they understand each other’s work better. This helps teams work together and solve problems faster. When people see how their tasks connect, they appreciate each other’s efforts and support one another more. 

Cross-training also helps different departments work better together. Employees with knowledge of multiple roles can share ideas and find better ways to get things done, reducing confusion and strengthening teams. 

3. Keeping important knowledge in the company

If only a few people know how to do certain tasks, the company loses valuable knowledge when they leave. Cross-training helps solve this problem by making sure that important skills are shared across the team. One way to strengthen this process is through Employee-generated Learning (EGL), where employees create and share training materials based on their expertise. 

This way, work can continue smoothly even if someone leaves. It also helps new employees learn faster since they can be trained by different team members instead of just one person. 

4. More growth opportunities for employees

Learning new skills makes work more interesting and helps employees feel more engaged. When people get the chance to take on new challenges, they stay motivated and are more likely to enjoy their jobs. 

Cross-training can also support professional development. When employees learn different skills, they have a better chance of getting promoted. Instead of hiring new people, companies can offer better roles to the employees they already have. 

5. Saving money and improving productivity

Hiring and training new employees takes time and money. Cross-training helps businesses save costs by making the most of their current workforce. Instead of hiring outside help for every new task, companies can train their own employees to handle different responsibilities. 

Cross-training also helps teams get more done. When employees can do different tasks, work doesn’t stop when someone is away. This reduces delays and increases productivity, helping businesses run more smoothly. 

The disadvantages of cross-training employees 

While cross-training offers significant benefits, it also comes with challenges. Here’s what to watch out for and how to manage potential drawbacks. 

1. Risk of employee burnout

If employees are overloaded with extra responsibilities without proper planning, they may feel stressed and disengaged. 

Solution: Keep workloads realistic and balance cross-training efforts with regular tasks. Offer incentives or rotations to keep training manageable. 

2. Quality concerns

Cross-trained employees may not develop deep expertise in their secondary roles, leading to lower-quality work. 

Solution: Provide structured training and ensure employees have enough time to gain hands-on experience before taking on new tasks. 

3. Possible resistance to change

Some employees may feel uncomfortable learning new roles, especially if they see it as extra work. 

Solution: Communicate the benefits of cross-training, highlighting how it helps career growth and job security. 

4. Resource allocation challenges

Cross-training requires time, effort, and resources. Some companies worry about the cost of training when immediate productivity is a priority. 

Solution: Start with small-scale initiatives to implement cross-training before expanding. Focus on high-impact areas where flexibility is most needed. 

Real-world example: How DSM cut costs by shifting to internal training 

DSM, a global health and nutrition company, relied heavily on third-party vendors for training, which was expensive and time-consuming. They needed a more cost-effective way to develop internal learning content. 

By adopting Easygenerator, DSM empowered employees to create and share training materials themselves. This shift resulted in €5,000 savings per course and a 30% increase in employee-created content in just one month. DSM’s approach helped retain knowledge within the company while significantly reducing training costs. 

Final thoughts  

Cross-training employees is more than just a way to cover absences. It’s a strategy for building a resilient, adaptable, and skilled workforce. It improves agility, enhances team collaboration, and ensures critical knowledge stays within the company. 

Beyond operational benefits, cross-training also boosts employee engagement and retention. Workers who gain new skills feel more valued and are more likely to stay, reducing turnover and hiring costs. 

While cross-training employees requires planning, its long-term benefits outweigh the challenges. Companies that implement structured programs can boost productivity, strengthen teams, and reduce costs while fostering a culture of continuous learning.