The future of the office has arrived: it’s hybrid. A 2022 Gallup survey reported 8 of 10 people work in remote/hybrid positions, and hybrid employees report coming into the office 2.6 days per week. Purdue’s Center for Regional Development Research & Policy Insights’ “Impact of Remote Work” suggests better broadband can lead to more remote workers, increased self-employment, and benefits for women and high-skilled workers. With about 20% of Indiana workers working a remote or hybrid job, this is a sizable segment of our labor force whose work styles have changed in the last five years.
The Remote Work Certificate (RWC) started by Utah State University Extension equips workers with tools and skills to transition from onsite work to a virtual career. RWC started in Indiana in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Extension educators were trained and served as coaches to guide participants. RWC is one month long. Nine modules are delivered online; four interactive workshops equip workers with tools/skills to work from home as remote workers, freelancers, or entrepreneurs. Topics are workday, communication, critical thinking, workflow, productivity and time management, teamwork, compliance and online security, and virtual careers. Two grants helped offset program costs, providing training at discounted rates or free.
Of the 49 participants who enrolled, 38 completed RWC. Females comprised 81%; participants were White (72%), Black or African-American (17%), and Asian (3%). Participants took RWC for professional development (39%), intended to seek full-time remote work (33%), desired to convert their current job to a remote position (11%), and intended to seek part-time remote work or wanted to be a mentor/partner in remote work activities (16%).
At a one-year follow-up, nine participants were: looking for professional development (6), seeking remote work (2), and working as entrepreneurs (1). One remote work seeker found a job that increased their salary by 171% and saved $90/month in lower fuel expenses. Respondents reported benefits: increased productivity, improved communication with their team/colleagues, time management skills, and work-life balance. Respondents shared: “The course gave me insights on remote work, as well as how to optimize both hybrid work and in-person work and teams.” “The class was amazing. I learned a lot of new information.
Purdue Extension’s Remote Work Certificate participants increased productivity and improved communication, time management and work-life balance, helping to support and retain virtual workers across Indiana.