A new Bermuda company has brought specialised corporate training to the island that emphasises learning through direct experience, reflection and practical application.

Across the globe, organisations are witnessing a fundamental shift towards experiential and social learning approaches. It is not just corporations.

Crucible Group owner Ben Beasley has found that schools, the military and group organisations of all kinds are deriving significant professional development from a programme that includes peer interactions and collaborative problem-solving.

A special report published on LinkedIn said it reflects a deeper understanding of how modern learners prefer to acquire knowledge — through hands-on experience, peer interaction, and collaborative exploration rather than passive consumption of formal modules.

A Harvard Business Publishing Idea Brief said experiential learning is “critical to learning” and “well worth the effort”.

Top business and career coaches from Forbes Coaches Council said “many employers are starting to understand the power of experiential learning in the workplace”, describing it as “an immersive experience that provokes and encourages reflection”.

Mr Beasley, the former Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, has had more than 30 years’ involvement with the transformative effect of experiential learning across youth development, policing, military service, leadership development and organisational consulting.

He said experiential learning uses practical activities and shared experiences to explore communication, leadership, decision-making, trust and teamwork.

While the activity itself is not the objective, it provides a shared experience from which participants can reflect, discuss, learn and improve.

Gallup estimates that low employee engagement costs the global economy approximately $10 trillion annually in lost productivity.

Employees who actively collaborate report approximately 20 per cent higher job satisfaction than those who do not, according to Zippia Workplace Collaboration Statistics.

Research cited by Niagara Institute found that employees with a strong sense of belonging are significantly more likely to be engaged, productive and committed to their organisation.

Mr Beasley is the licence holder for FranklinCovey Bermuda and has had professional experience spanning leadership development, organisational performance and training system design.

He served as a training and education officer in the Royal Air Force, where developmental activities were routinely used to strengthen cohesion, teamwork and organisational effectiveness.

He returned to Bermuda and served a further 13 years in the regiment.

He said: “Experiential learning has existed in Bermuda for decades, but there has been limited dedicated provision focused on designing and delivering developmental experiences across a broad range of organisations and groups.

“New trends and fashions emerge from time to time, often under the banner of team-building. Whilst many are enjoyable, the original purpose is sometimes forgotten and the activity becomes the focus rather than the outcome.

“For that reason, the term team-building is used sparingly. There is a place for games, social interaction and entertainment, but developmental activities should serve a specific purpose.

“The value lies not in the activity itself, but in its professional or operational application.”