Unfortunately, at this point in time in most work environments (structured as they are) a course is the form that makes learning ("officially-sanctioned" learning, if you will) accessible to a worker.

Yes, yes, I know hat bright curious bushy-tailed workers will always be learning, and that's a key point for bringing social computing into play more and more, IMO. It makes that "learning" available and accessible in an easier-to-get-into and ongoing way.