Not all training is created equal, but most metrics treat it that way. Traditional indicators like attendance, satisfaction or quiz scores don’t always reflect how learners actually feel about training or whether they’d come back for more.
That’s why we developed the net engagement index (NEI): a simple, intuitive metric that asks a powerful question:
“If there were a second part to this training, how likely would learners be to take it?”
This report explores how NEI scores vary across training topics, delivery modalities, and industry sectors, offering a detailed, data-backed look at what drives learner engagement and where organizations are falling short.
Key Findings:
| Engagement has room to grow | The average NEI score across organizations is 21.4 — lower than consumer benchmarks, signaling opportunity for stronger learner connection. |
| What makes training engaging (and what doesn’t) | Data from hundreds of learning leaders reveals which combinations of topic and modality are most (and least) engaging. |
| Benchmarks that matter | NEI offers a new way to measure learner engagement across training topics, modalities and industries. |
| Stronger stories for stakeholders | NEI is simple and intuitive, making it easier to communicate the value of training for buy-in and strategic alignment. |
This research equips L&D professionals, instructional designers and business stakeholders make smarter, more strategic training decisions.
Who Should Get the Report
- L&D professionals designing learner-centered strategies
- Instructional designers seeking benchmarks on formats and topics
- Business stakeholders making decisions in employee development
- Consultants and providers advising on training strategy
What’s Inside
- An introduction to the net engagement index (NEI) as a new measure of learner engagement
- Benchmarks on training topics, delivery modalities and industry sectors
- Insights on the most and least engaging formats and content areas
- Guidance for designing learner-centered training strategies
The NEI reframes how we measure training. Instead of relying on surface-level indicators, it captures what really matters: whether learners would come back for more. With this research, you’ll have a benchmark that reflects real engagement and a practical tool for shaping learning strategy and the learner experience.
Table of Contents
- About Training Industry, Inc. Research
- Introduction
- Net Promoter to Net Engagement
- The Net Engagement Index for Training
- Going Deeper With the Net Engagement Index
- By Topic
- By Modality
- By Industry
- Investigating the Intersections
- Why We Did the Research
- Conclusion
- Putting the NEI Into Practice
- Terms and Conditions
Price: $245
Format: PDF
Pages: 34
Publication Date: September 2025
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