Gamification borrows from games to keep motivation up. It can be points for completed courses, badges, levels, or a clear progress bar showing how far you have come.
Used in moderation, it works. Visible progress and a clear next step get more people to finish the course. Overused, it can feel childish and shift the focus from the content to the points.
In a work setting, the simple touches are often the best: being able to see how far you are, and getting a certificate when you finish.