Should You Outsource or Build eLearning In-House?

“We have always regarded the term ‘learning outsourcing’ as a misnomer… Today nearly 30 percent of all custom content development… now are outsourced to learning service providers.” — Josh Bersin

Let me tell you about the day I understood the real stakes of eLearning at scale.

Seven years ago, we were brought in by one of the world’s largest gas companies. They had just spent two billion dollars building a refinery off the coast of North Queensland—a project that was the size of a small city and the heartbeat of their future. They needed 60 eLearning modules, delivered quickly and to an exacting standard, so their team could be trained and ready before the Australian Government would issue the letter of authority to operate.

The ask was simple: Build it well, and build it fast.

Their internal team was talented, but swamped. The stakes? Billions in potential delays. They called us in—and seven years later, we’re still working together.

That experience taught me more about the real question companies face: Should we run an internal team for eLearning development, or bring in outside partners when the heat is on?

The Insider Edge: The Power of “Us”

Reason 1: Deep Cultural Alignment No one knows your people like your people. Internal teams speak the native language of your business. They get the jokes, the jargon, the unwritten rules. When your SME (Subject Matter Expert) is sharing hard-won knowledge, there’s no translation needed.

Reason 2: Agility and Control In-house teams are nimble. They can shift gears mid-project, scrap what isn’t working, and respond instantly to shifting business needs.

Reason 3: Building Internal Capability Every time you develop in-house, you build internal muscle. You’re investing in your people and future-proofing your organization.

But, as our gas client discovered, sometimes the mountain is just too big, and the clock is ticking.

“Hidden costs… talent pool changes… inconsistency in performance and quality standards… inability to adapt”—are key challenges in outsourcing eLearning. — eLearningIndustry.com

The Outsider Advantage: Scale, Speed, and Fresh Eyes

Reason 1: Scale and Speed When You Need It There are moments when you simply can’t wait. That gas company couldn’t afford to build capacity slowly—they needed a rapid response, with proven processes and bench strength. Outsourcing gave them instant scale and specialist skills, without a marathon hiring sprint.

“Companies spend more than $340 billion on employee training… and this massive spend… is about to be reinvented at its core. From E‑Learning to We‑Learning to Autonomous Learning.” — Josh Bersin

Reason 2: Fresh Perspective Sometimes you need someone from the outside to spot what you can’t see. The best partners bring cross-industry insights, the latest tech, and creative approaches your internal team might never imagine.

Reason 3: Cost Efficiency for Peak Loads Most organizations don’t have a steady pipeline—they have floods and droughts. Outsourcing lets you flex up when the flood arrives, without the fixed cost of a large permanent team.

“To successfully navigate the rapid pace of change, organizations must leverage outsourcing partnerships… No traditional team can possess all the specialized skills and knowledge required for today’s evolving hybrid labor model.” — Adobe eLearning Industry

The Hybrid Sweet Spot

The smartest companies don’t pick sides—they blend both.

They keep a sharp, culturally-aligned internal team for day-to-day work and legacy knowledge. But when a tidal wave of demand hits—like 60 modules standing between a refinery and a government green light—they call in partners to share the load.

It’s not an either/or. It’s a both/and.

Five Questions to Ask Before You Decide

• What’s the real cost? (Beyond headcount: think training, delays, opportunity cost.)
• Will outsourcing erode your culture, or enrich it with new skills?
• Do you have the right skills in-house, or just the will?
• Is this need permanent, or a one-off spike?
• What’s your risk tolerance for innovation and change?

As Wilma Rudolph said:

“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit.”

So, dream big about your learning culture—but be deliberate about how you build it.

The lesson? It’s not about outsourcing or insourcing. It’s about making the choice that protects your legacy, not just your next module.

What’s your next move?

AUTHOR

Chris Gaborit is an entrepreneur who has founded three companies that have won over 18 global awards for innovation and impact in corporate learning. He is the CEO of Learno — transforming workplace training through the power of AI.

Chris regularly writes about leadership, culture, and the human side of work, and his articles have been featured in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald and Fast Company.

Follow Chris here:

🔗 LinkedIn
🌐 Website
📸 Instagram
✖ X (formerly Twitter)

#eLearning #LearningAndDevelopment #Outsourcing #Insourcing #CorporateTraining #DigitalLearning #HRTech #WorkplaceLearning #Leadership #JoshBersin #InstructionalDesign #LearningCulture #Learno #chrisgaborit