Empowering the deskless workforce: Transforming frontline learning, performance, and mobility

More than 80% of the global workforce – and nearly 70% in the U.S. – doesn’t sit at a desk (Forbes, 2022; Forbes, 2024). They’re on the factory floor, on hospital rounds, behind the wheel, in the field, in the classroom, protecting and serving, maintaining facilities, or stocking the last shelf before the store opens (and more). And yet, the systems meant to train, develop, and grow them were not built with them in mind.

That disconnect has consequences. According to the LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report (2024), 76% of employees say they struggle to find the learning content they need. And in research from Brandon Hall Group (2023), 68% of L&D professionals cite delivering learning at the point of need as their biggest challenge.

These challenges lead to delayed onboarding, increased safety risks, and frustrated employees who want to grow but lack the tools and visibility to do so.

Cornerstone’s Galaxy Mobile App is here to change that. Built specifically for frontline and deskless workers, it delivers a unified, intuitive experience that meets employees where they are. Offline, on the go, and in the flow of work.

Despite being accountable for execution and central to the customer experience, frontline workers are often left unsupported when it comes to training. They operate in environments where digital access is inconsistent and workflows are fast-moving. As a result, 60% of deskless workers report dissatisfaction with mobile learning tools (Forbes, 2022), citing connectivity gaps, outdated platforms, and device limitations. In regulated industries or high-risk environments, that lack of timely training creates real business risk — from safety violations to missed certifications.

The Galaxy Mobile App bridges the gap by enabling true just-in-time learning — even offline. Whether it’s completing mandatory courses, scanning into instructor-led sessions, or reviewing pre-shift safety protocols, the app ensures learning happens where the work does. It’s intuitive, fast, and built for the realities of field-based roles.

Mobile app capabilities that travel with your workforce:

• Courses and checklists fully accessible offline

• QR-code registration for ILT/VILT sessions

• Downloadable content to ensure readiness anywhere

• Secure shared device access with MFA and role-based login

While many deskless workers are eager to advance, they’re often disconnected from development pathways. A staggering 74% say they lack a clear view of how to grow in their roles (LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 2024). This lack of visibility stifles engagement and contributes to high attrition, especially in roles with limited managerial touchpoints or sporadic HR access.

With the Galaxy Mobile App, frontline employees receive smart, role-specific recommendations based on their current position and aspirations. They can set goals, track progress, and access curated learning paths that align with both individual growth and business priorities — all within a consumer-grade mobile experience.

On-the-go development tools include:

• Skill-building suggestions personalized to each role

• Mobile access to set, update, and track goals

• A Discover tab that surfaces relevant content

• Saved-for-later options and unified learning view

For frontline teams, annual performance reviews are ineffective. These workers need real-time, bite-sized feedback to stay on track in fast-paced environments. Yet in many cases, feedback is delayed, undocumented, or inconsistent — which erodes trust, limits development, and reduces accountability.

The Galaxy Mobile App makes coaching continuous and context-rich. Managers can quickly log observations, share progress updates, and give real-time feedback — even mid-shift. Employees stay aligned and motivated, with clear visibility into how their work connects to team goals.

Mobile-first performance support includes:

• Observation Checklists for real-time feedback

• Manager-assigned goals and development tracking

• Quick check-ins to support continuous growth

• Push notifications that drive follow-through

Compliance missteps can have costly consequences – especially in environments that rely on manual tracking or shared devices. According to Forbes (2024), complexity in compliance is one of the top challenges for deskless organizations. Managers often discover missed trainings only after it’s too late – turning simple oversights into costly liabilities.

The Galaxy Mobile App embeds compliance workflows directly into the flow of work. From biometric login to offline checklist tracking, it helps ensure training and safety standards are met, even in high-security or low-connectivity settings.

Compliance made mobile:

• Checklist access and validation with or without internet

• Biometric login and multi-factor authentication

• Secure multi-user access on shared devices

• Audit-ready logs for reporting and certifications

High turnover is a persistent challenge for organizations that rely on deskless labor. One major driver? A lack of perceived opportunity. According to LinkedIn (2024), employees who can’t see a future within the company are 61% more likely to leave. And when internal mobility programs are confined to desktops or corporate intranets, frontline workers miss out.

The Galaxy Mobile App empowers workers to explore internal opportunities without needing access to a desktop or office HR portal. They can browse career paths, view role requirements, and express interest in open positions — all from their phone. It’s a tangible signal that the organization is invested in their future.

What the mobile app unlocks for career mobility:

• Personalized job recommendations based on skills and interests

• Career paths that show how to advance from a current role

• Role descriptions with key responsibilities and required skills

• Built-in referral and internal application tools

Frontline teams operate under constant time pressure – and every moment counts. When training, performance, and compliance workflows aren’t optimized for mobile use, even simple tasks become slow and cumbersome. Employees face delays completing assignments, managers lack visibility into progress, and organizations risk falling behind on critical requirements.

The Galaxy Mobile App simplifies and streamlines the experience for both users and administrators. It delivers full mobile functionality for learning, compliance, and performance – enabling faster execution, better accountability, and seamless adoption across frontline workflows.

How the mobile app simplifies and scales:

• Syncs with desktop experience for continuity

• Supports self-paced and manager-assigned content

• Deploys easily across shared device environments

• Offers turnkey content subscriptions for fast enablement

The frontline has waited long enough. For too long, their learning tools have been too slow, too disconnected, or too difficult to use. The Galaxy Mobile App changes that – meeting the realities of deskless work with a modern, intuitive, and flexible solution.

This isn’t just a new evolution of the Cornerstone Galaxy app. It’s a new way to think about workforce readiness – one that brings development, accountability, and mobility directly to those doing the work. Whether you're looking to speed up onboarding, reduce compliance headaches, or create real career pathways, Galaxy puts the power to grow back in the hands of your people.

Because when the frontline thrives, the whole organization moves forward.

Ready to better support your frontline workforce?
Explore how Cornerstone helps organizations deliver training, growth, and mobility to deskless employees—right when and where it matters.

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