ABSTRACT
This study evaluates a hybrid training program focusing on soft skills development for freshly graduated trainees in a multinational biomedical engineering company. The evaluation is conducted as a diagnostic tool to measure the performance of trainees that feeds the return- on- investment (ROI) of the assigned company. We implement an evaluative case study with both quantitative and qualitative methods;- learning analytics and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data comes from the learning analytics of twenty-nine trainees, while qualitative data comes from five interviewees from the same cohort. We found that the trainees' negative learning experiences are traced to an inadequate time to participate online and a perception of irrelevant online training content. These resulted in lower performance scores and engagement during online sessions compared to face-to-face sessions. The respondents also stated that face-to-face sessions allow in-person interaction with trainers. This factor led to a positive learning experience and potentially heightened engagement that directed to a higher performance score. Instructional design considerations in planning effective hybrid training are deliberately discussed for future practitioners and researchers. © 2022 IEEE.