Overcoming the Forgetting Curve in Employee Training

How the Forgetting Curve Impacts Employee
Training — and How to Overcome It
The Forgetting Curve and Its Relevance for Trainers
Introduction
Trainers, educators, and corporate learning professionals often face a
common challenge — ensuring that learners retain the knowledge
imparted during training sessions. Unfortunately, studies show that

most individuals forget a significant portion of new
information within hours or days if they don’t reinforce it. This
concept, known as the Forgetting Curve, was introduced by
German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus in the 19th century.
The Forgetting Curve explains why learners struggle to retain
information over time and highlights the need for effective
training techniques to boost memory retention. For organizations,
failing to address the Forgetting Curve can lead to low training ROI,
decreased employee performance, and compliance risks.
In this article, we will explore:
● The science behind the Forgetting Curve
● Why it is relevant for trainers
● Effective strategies to combat knowledge loss using
microlearning, spaced repetition, gamification, and
adaptive learning
What Is the Forgetting Curve?
The Forgetting Curve is a visual representation of how information
is lost over time when there is no effort to retain it.

Ebbinghaus’ experiments revealed that:
People forget 50% of newly learned information within an
hour
After 24 hours, 70% of information is lost
Within a week, learners forget up to 90% of what they learned
This means that without reinforcement, most of what is taught in a
training session will be forgotten, rendering the training ineffective.
Key Factors Influencing the Forgetting Curve
1⃣ Time — The longer the gap between learning and application, the
higher the chance of forgetting.
2⃣ Relevance — If content isn’t meaningful or applicable, learners
forget it faster.
3⃣ Engagement — Passive learning (e.g., lectures) leads to faster
memory loss, while interactive learning boosts retention.
4⃣ Repetition — Without reinforcement, knowledge deteriorates
quickly.
For trainers, overcoming the Forgetting Curve means designing
training programs that enhance retention and engagement while
ensuring knowledge is regularly reinforced.

Why Is the Forgetting Curve Important for Trainers?
1. Wasted Training Investment
Companies spend millions on training every year, yet most of
that knowledge is lost within days. If employees don’t remember
key training content, they fail to apply it effectively, leading to
reduced productivity.
2. Compliance and Risk Management
Industries like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing require strict
compliance training. If employees forget regulations and safety
procedures, it can lead to costly compliance failures, penalties,
and reputational damage.
3. Decreased Employee Productivity
If employees forget critical information, they either:
● Make avoidable mistakes
● Constantly seek help, reducing efficiency
● Require retraining, increasing costs

4. Employee Disengagement
If training is not reinforced or engaging, learners become
disinterested and demotivated. This leads to low course
completion rates and poor skill development.
To address these challenges, trainers must implement strategies that
enhance long-term knowledge retention.
How Trainers Can Overcome the Forgetting Curve
1. Implement Microlearning for Better Retention
Microlearning is the delivery of training in small, focused
lessons that take only a few minutes to complete.
Why Microlearning Works:
Reduces Cognitive Load — Learners absorb information more
effectively in small chunks.
Fits Into Busy Schedules — Employees can complete lessons
quickly without disrupting work.
Boosts Engagement — Short, interactive content is more
memorable than long lectures.