Top 11 Learning Management Systems (LMS) for Manufacturing Industry in 2024

The manufacturing industry faces a significant challenge in maintaining compliance and addressing the skills gap. With regulations like OSHA and ITAR setting high standards, manufacturers must provide effective training to their workforce. Nearly 70% of manufacturers ramp up their training programs to stay compliant and competitive.

Having worked extensively in the eLearning and training sector, I’ve seen the impact of a well-implemented LMS. At the same time, I also understand the nuances of what makes a learning management system effective for the manufacturing industry.

So, let’s dive into the top LMS for manufacturing that will help you achieve these goals. Whether you’re looking for safety & compliance training, skill development, or policy & procedure training, you will find something that suits your needs.

What Is a Manufacturing LMS?

A manufacturing LMS is a specialized software for training employees in the manufacturing industry. It provides tailored tools and resources for training on safety protocols, equipment operation, regulatory compliance, quality control, and technical skills. The LMS includes interactive modules, simulations, quizzes, and assessments to ensure employees are well-trained and compliant with industry standards.

How Does a Manufacturing LMS Facilitate Industry Training?

A LMS can transform how organizations approach employee training and development. It’s like a centralized hub where you can find all standardized training materials, and they can deliver consistent onboarding experiences. When new hires step into the organization, they can access everything they need in one place.

Plus, tracking progress becomes a breeze. Organizations can see how employees are doing and pinpoint areas where they need more help. This data-driven approach allows for personalized training plans that support employee growth.

One of the top features of an LMS is its role in compliance training. An LMS allows organizations to schedule and deliver mandatory training seamlessly so employees stay informed about the latest industry standards and safety protocols.

Beyond compliance and onboarding, an LMS opens up a world of ongoing skill development. Employees can explore resources like videos, quizzes, and interactive modules at their own pace. This flexibility is a game changer.

Plus, with assessments sprinkled throughout, employees can reinforce what they’ve learned and demonstrate their understanding.

For manufacturing companies with multiple locations, an LMS ensures consistency in training across facilities. This standardization maintains quality and compliance while enabling easy updates to training materials whenever industry standards or company policies change.

Another significant advantage is the accessibility an LMS provides. Employees can access training materials on multiple devices, which is fantastic for remote teams or those with busy schedules. On-demand learning enables learners to complete training during downtime or shift changes, thus minimizing disruptions.

10 Best LMS for the Manufacturing Industry

I’ve compiled this selection of the best LMS for manufacturing training needs through personal experiences, extensive research, and input from colleagues. Moreover, I’ve considered unbiased assessments from independent websites and gathered feedback from satisfied customers.Take a look!

1. ProProfs Training Maker – Best for Online Employee Training & LMS

ProProfs Training Maker is one of the top manufacturing training software you can use in high-risk and compliance-bound industries. I have no doubt about its effectiveness as a learning management system for manufacturing companies.

You can use it to create, administer, and track courses and assessments for employees facing daily workplace danger and high compliance requirements. Train them on core skills and standard operating procedures for machines, compliance, and safety.

The LMS offers an intuitive user interface that requires no specialized knowledge, no software download and installation required. It allows learners to access the training regardless of their location and device. The best part is that these courses can be downloaded and accessed easily when offline.

This solution simplifies online training and makes record-keeping for audit purposes easy.

I find its library of hundreds of pre-designed courses covering in-demand topics like fall protection, fire extinguisher safety, sexual harassment training, and leadership skills really delightful and time-saving.

I can also easily import existing material I already have, such as videos, PDF files, images, and presentations.

Real-time and AI-based reports and analytics, along with scheduled notifications on pending courses, are helpful in ensuring timely upskilling and maintaining compliance.

What you’ll like:

• Engaging quizzes that allow you to measure learning outcomes
• Ability to train a global audience in different languages such as English, Spanish, and 70+ others
• Personalization options that allow you to use your own logo, theme, and domain
• Award certificates on course completion
• The ease of integration with popular tools such as Zoom, Salesforce, Mailchimp, BambooHR, and more

What you may not like:

• No downloadable or on premise version
• Dark user interface option not available
• No dedicated account manager for the free plan, unlike paid

Pricing:

Forever FREE plan for small teams. Paid plan starts at $1.99/learner/month. No hidden charges.

2. Moodle – Best for Open Source Learning

This fully-customizable LMS for the manufacturing industry proved to be quite helpful for creating personalized and engaging courses. With Moodle’s open source LMS, you have the freedom to run the tool as you want, redistribute copies of your Moodle modified version, etc.

The tool seamlessly empowers learners of all types, enabling them to excel through diverse content and a variety of task formats tailored to suit individual learning preferences.

To ensure learners stay on course, I used the tool to set up automated email and mobile alerts, serving as timely reminders for upcoming deadlines and essential course obligations.Moreover, I could extract insightful learning analytics and personalized reports to track student progress effortlessly.

What you’ll like:

• Staff and workers can conveniently access courses via any browser or device, ensuring a seamless experience even in offline settings.
• Manage manufacturing courses in a secure and scalable way
• Seamless integration with content accessibility checkers, text-to-speech tools, and more

What you may not like:

• Maintaining Moodle requires a significant amount of time and technical expertise
• Moodle may struggle to efficiently handle very large institutions with thousands of users and courses

Pricing:

Free plan with limited storage is available as it’s an open source platform. Starts at $132/month.

3. Absorb LMS – Best for Complex Training Needs

If you’re in search of the ideal LMS solution for manufacturing units, consider exploring Absorb LMS. Navigating through courses becomes effortless with Absorb LMS, enabling learners to easily access course materials, engage with content, and effectively retain the knowledge presented.

The tool enabled my staff to rate their learning experiences, collaborate with peers, and showcase their achievements.

To keep the learning process dynamic and engaging, you can integrate different elements into its courses. Leaderboards add a competitive edge, videos enhance visual learning, polls encourage participation, and quizzes test comprehension.

What you’ll like:

• Complete control over custom look and course recommendations
• Discussion forums and collaborative assignments for continuous learning and support
• Learners can showcase earned badges on their individual social profiles

What you may not like:

• Managing a mix of online and in-person training can be challenging with AbsorbLMS
• While highly customizable, starting from scratch can be time consuming and requires effort to tailor the platform to specific needs

Pricing:

Custom Pricing

4. Docebo – Best for Complex Enterprise Training

Docebo’s intuitive and user-friendly platform is designed to make the learning experience seamless. Its versatile dashboard offers training solutions to employees in multiple formats and at their own pace.

When experimenting with this LMS, I was able to onboard and train new hires faster. This was both cost-effective and profitable in terms of reduced cost owing to employee churn.

Apart from this, the tool helped me stay on top of my game by continuously imparting in-demand manufacturing skills via training. This further helped me respond to market shifts quickly.

What you’ll like:

• You can automate retraining to optimize safety and mitigate non-compliance risks.
• Learners can access consistent training even in offline mode via Docebo’s mobile learning solution
• Integrating directly with Salesforce LMS boosts deal closure and customer connections

What you may not like:

• Users may find the interface overwhelming with too many features on the dashboard
• The platform is best suited for companies with at least 250 learners

Pricing:

Custom Pricing

5. iSpring Learn – Best Software for eLearning & Training

iSpring Learn has truly impressed me, expediting onboarding and enhancing manufacturing efficiency. Whether it was training courses, videos, or ebooks, I could produce content in the format that worked for my employees. I found it easy to build simple quizzes to create an interactive program.

Another thing I really appreciate about this manufacturing training software is the ability to turn PowerPoint slides into interactive HTML5 courses. In fact, you don’t need to worry about losing any animations or effects as everything stays intact.

You can segment users by roles and locations, personalizing learning for each group. Moreover, automation handles routine tasks, like automatic enrollments, re-enrollments, and event invites, freeing you time for strategic focus.

What you’ll like:

• Self-paced online learning that works for everyone’s schedules
• Get a detailed analysis of your employees’ training status using out-of-the-box reports
• Training for compliance and safety aligned with OSHA and ISO standards

What you may not like:

• Inability to copy text directly from the slide during text-to-speech
• The cost can become a drawback for smaller companies seeking advanced functionalities

Pricing:

Starts at $2.29/user/month. For 300 users.

6. 360Learning – Best for Collaborative Learning

360Learning is the best learning management system for manufacturing training automation. I found that navigating the system requires minimal effort, allowing me to effortlessly streamline and oversee essential manufacturing-related training and re-training.

This manufacturing LMS has an automatic learner enrolment functionality that takes the burden off users’ shoulders by enrolling learners into courses as soon as they fulfill the predetermined prerequisites. This not only simplifies the process but also drastically cuts down on administrative time.

I believe you can elevate your compliance training further by leveraging the power of automated enrolment, timely reminders, and certificate notifications. The LMS also enables swift course creation via customized templates reflecting common use cases.

What you’ll like:

• Reduced training costs by moving employee training online
• No content migration needed for hosting your existing catalog of SCORM courses
• Popular third-party integrations available

What you may not like:

• User experience may be frustrating due to frequent bugs
• Not enough gamification

Pricing:

Starts at $8/registered users per month. Up to 100 users.

7. Litmos – Best for Off-the-Shelf Training

Large enterprises encounter the daunting task of adhering to numerous compliances such as EPA, FDA, and OSHA. This plethora of regulations can make it challenging to maintain regular training protocols. That’s where Litmos comes in. By automating training processes, Litmos empowers you to manage the multitude of rules and policies effectively.

Litmos has your back with its vast library of over 80,000 pre-built courses. Whether you need compliance training, leadership development, or safety programs, Litmos makes it quick and easy to roll out effective training. One remarkable feature is its cross-device compatibility – be it mobile, laptop, or even wearables – and the bonus of offline accessibility.

What’s more, the headache of manually tracking course completions and compliance training is eliminated. Litmos offers built-in reports that seamlessly track employees’ training progress and activities and even gauge program success through quiz results and content engagement.

What you’ll like:

• No limitation on how learners can access training material
• Access to gamification and leaderboards
• Custom UI to complement your branding

What you may not like:

• There’s no feature to make some courses optional for learners
• High learning curve

Pricing:

Custom pricing.

8. LearnUpon – Best for Delivering Impactful Training

When it comes to manufacturing businesses seeking a smarter and scalable learning solution, LearnUpon sets itself apart as the ultimate choice. To begin with, the need to build courses from the ground up has been dealt with effectively by LearnUpon. Thanks to its generative AI platform, crafting summaries, exams, and scripts takes seconds.

Whether it’s creating images and videos, translating text, or even developing entire courses, the process is remarkably effortless. Adding to its powerful capabilities, LearnUpon introduces interactive bots as virtual coaches, enhancing the learning experience.

Customized assessments tailored to each learner’s knowledge are a key feature. So I could use the tool to send targeted prompts and align the course with their preferences and comprehension.

What you’ll like:

• Machine-powered recommendations that simplify and make learning more intuitive than ever
• Reports that throw light on learner progress
• Gamification features for increased knowledge retention

What you may not like:

• Its UI is not easy to navigate
• The search functionality for courses is not impressive

Pricing:

Custom pricing

9. Vector LMS – Best for Skill & Safety Training

Vector is a go-to choice for manufacturing businesses looking to integrate safety training and skill development seamlessly. By effortlessly syncing employee data with HR/payroll systems, you can swiftly initiate training management across various locations.

Using the tool, I could improve new hire orientation and assign training based on job role, team, and site. I could also conduct training data analysis by importing and comparing data from multiple HRIS systems, safety platforms, and beyond.

The LMS is comprehensive , complete with integrated content creation capabilities. This means you can craft eLearning modules featuring personalized images and videos, alongside interactive quizzes, surveys, and task lists.

What you’ll like:

• 70 new online courses and 50 course updates annually
• Flexibility to choose from multiple-choice, multiple-response, and true/false question formats
• Freedom to set minimum passing scores and provide customized feedback – all at your fingertips

What you may not like:

• Users often complain of restarting modules due to glitches
• Its reporting capabilities are limited

Pricing:

Custom pricing.

10. SkyPrep – Best for Comprehensive Training Programs

SkyPrep is an intuitive cloud-based manufacturing LMS that offers impressive features for course creation and training management. One notable aspect is its efficacy in upholding employee safety through continuous safety training. I could overcome my initial apprehension regarding training a diverse workforce spanning multiple departments.

This solution empowered me to design courses and empower employees to undertake training at their convenient time and preferred pace. The ability to generate certificates automatically was a merit. These ensured that my employees were qualified for the job that they were doing. Additionally, SkyPrep could automatically re-enroll users who have certificates that are no longer current.

What you’ll like:

• Analytics help recognize star performers, improving employee productivity and efficiency
• The platform is always secure and up-to-date
• Supports mobile learning on the go

What you may not like:

• Customer service can be improved
• Lacks popular integration options

Pricing:

Custom pricing

Evaluation Criteria 

When I review products or tools, I like to keep it simple and straightforward. Here’s how I do it:

1. User Reviews: I check out sites like G2 and Capterra to see what real users are saying. Their honest opinions give a good idea of how well something works.
2. Features & Functionality: I look at the main features to see if they really help and if the product does what it promises.
3. Ease of Use: Testing for user-friendliness is also crucial. If navigation is simple, that’s a big plus.
4. Customer Support: Good support makes a huge difference. It’s important for setting things up and solving any problems quickly.
5. Value for Money: I compare the quality and price to see if it’s worth the cost.
6. Personal Experience & Expert Opinions: Apart from adding my own experience, I also look at what experts say to give a well-rounded review.

Which Is the Best Manufacturing LMS?

Selecting the ideal LMS for your manufacturing company depends on your unique needs, shaped by your audience, their skills, and learning style.

To simplify your search and assist in making an informed choice, here are three of my recommendations. You can check out the more extensive list after this:

Option A: ProProfs Training Maker

ProProfs Training Maker is an excellent choice for manufacturing companies looking for a complete LMS solution. It’s easy to use and has a massive library of hundreds of expert-led courses on compliance, skills, and policy training. You can also craft courses from scratch using the eLearning authoring tool and integrate existing materials like videos and PDFs. Real-time tracking, due-date reminders, and reporting ensure compliance.

Option B: Docebo

Docebo is notable for its remarkable flexibility, surpassing other LMS platforms. With an easy-to-use interface, it ensures a smooth learning experience. Its adaptable dashboard provides training in various formats and paces, aiding quicker onboarding and cost-effective training. Additionally, it kept me updated with manufacturing skills, enabling quick responses to market changes.

Option C: LearnUpon

LearnUpon is the top choice for manufacturing businesses seeking a smarter learning solution. Building courses is easy with its AI platform, which quickly creates summaries, exams, and content. Interactive bots enhance learning, and personalized assessments align courses with individual preferences for a better experience.

How to Choose an LMS for Manufacturing Industry Training

I get this question very often: “How to choose the right LMS for manufacturing industry training?” It’s a valid concern, especially when the stakes are high. Many face difficulties in tracking employee progress, lack of mobile accessibility, limited integration with existing systems, insufficient content customization, and the list goes on.

Here’s my go-to strategy for selecting an LMS that goes beyond the usual criteria.

• First, the LMS should be easy to use. A user-friendly interface ensures that both administrators and employees can navigate and utilize the system without any technical hurdles.
• Prioritize systems that offer automated reminders and notifications for compliance deadlines. For example, if your organization needs to adhere to OSHA training requirements, timely reminders can help avoid costly penalties.
• Next, consider an LMS that facilitates course creation and customization to cater to the vast regulations and operational needs across different manufacturing sectors.
• Don’t overlook the importance of mobile learning capabilities. This feature enables employees to access training materials on the go, which is crucial for those working in diverse environments, from the factory floor to remote sites.
• Look for certification issuance capabilities to streamline recognition of employee achievements and ensure they remain compliant with industry standards.
• Think about platforms that incorporate social learning elements and data analytics tools to enhance engagement and provide insights into training effectiveness.

Next time you decide to buy an LMS, keep these features in your mind as they are quite important when it comes to the manufacturing industry. Below is a quick tutorial video on how to make the best purchase:

What Is the Future of Learning in the Manufacturing Industry?

The future of manufacturing rests on our ability to adapt and innovate. Right now, 69% of companies struggle with hiring, which would lead to 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030. This talent shortage stems from a lack of qualified workers for skilled roles that require extensive training.

As manufacturing evolves with AI, robotics, and advanced tools, workers demand flexibility and support like never before. The solution? Embrace training technology.

With a robust LMS, employees can upskill anytime, anywhere—whether at home or on the factory floor.

Compliance is also crucial. Leveraging compliance technology ensures that workers meet certification requirements.

So, you need to take a proactive approach to training. By investing in your people, you not only fill the skills gap but also create an empowered workforce ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Ready to Invest in the Best Manufacturing LMS?

So, that’s a wrap on this blog! I hope the list I’ve shared gives you a solid start in finding the right LMS for your manufacturing needs. However, I’d like to add one last thing: the best LMS isn’t just about ticking off features but finding one that’ll actually make life easier for your team and keep everyone up-to-date with every new compliance or safety update.

At the end of the day, you want an LMS that’s a true partner in building skills and meeting industry demands, so your workforce stays sharp, safe, and efficient.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How to implement an LMS for the manufacturing training industry

Implementing an LMS in the manufacturing industry isn’t as daunting as it sounds. Start by identifying your training needs and goals. Then, choose an LMS that fits those needs: one that’s user-friendly and has robust reporting features. Set up the system, upload your training materials, and ensure it’s easy for employees to use. Don’t forget to provide training on how to use the LMS itself!

Is there any difference between manufacturing training software and manufacturing LMS?

Great question! Manufacturing training software is usually more focused on specific training tasks, like simulations or safety training modules. A manufacturing LMS, on the other hand, is a comprehensive platform that manages all aspects of employee learning, from course creation and delivery to tracking and reporting. It’s like the difference between using a single tool versus having a full toolkit.

How can a manufacturing LMS improve employee training?

A manufacturing LMS ensures all employees receive consistent, up-to-date training. The platform can track progress and performance and help you identify areas where employees might need more support. Plus, with features like interactive content and real-time feedback, learning becomes more engaging and effective.

Can a manufacturing LMS integrate with other systems?

Absolutely, most modern LMS platforms are designed to integrate seamlessly with other systems, such as HR software, ERP systems, and compliance management tools. This integration ensures that all data is synchronized and makes it easier to manage employee information and training records in one place.

What types of training can be delivered through a manufacturing LMS?

A manufacturing LMS can deliver a wide range of training, including safety protocols, equipment operation, compliance training, technical skills, and soft skills like leadership and communication. Basically, if it’s a part of the job, an LMS can help train for it.

Are there any specific compliance requirements for training in manufacturing?

Yes, the manufacturing industry has strict compliance requirements, such as OSHA regulations. An LMS can help ensure all employees are up to date on these regulations by providing consistent and mandatory training programs. It also helps in maintaining records and generating reports to prove compliance during audits.

Does the LMS offer training modules tailored to the manufacturing industry? 

Absolutely, a standard manufacturing LMS provides specialized training modules designed for the industry. Look for modules covering safety protocols, compliance regulations, quality control procedures, and machine operations. These tailored modules ensure that employees receive relevant and effective training to excel in manufacturing roles.