Introduction – Training

         Training is a process whereby an individual acquires job – related skills and knowledge.  It is an important method for a business to improve performance of trainees. It is a cost to firms to pay for the training and also to suffer the loss of working hours whilst as trainee is being trained. However, the potential gains from employees training are significant. The main benefits of training are improved productivity and motivation of staff and also better quality products being made.

         It is important that a business provides training that is consistent with the business strategy. The most important steps in developing a training strategy are to , Identifying  the skills and abilities needed by trainees, drawing up an action plan to show how investment in training and development will help meet  business goals and objectives, Implementing the plan, monitoring progress and training effectiveness.

The Importance of Training:

         The significance and value of training has long been recognized. Consider the popular and often repeated quotation, “Give a person a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a person to fish and you feed him for a life time.” This simple but profound saying is attributed to the wisdom of Confucius who lived in the 5 th century BC. Given today’s business climate and the exponential growth in technology with its effect on the economy and society at large, the need for training is more pronounced than ever.

         Training, in the most simplistic definition, is an activity that changes people’s behavior Increased productivity is often said to be the most important reason for training. But it is only one of the benefits. Training is essential not only to increase productivity but also to motivate and inspire workers by letting the know how important their jobs are and giving the all the information they need to perform those jobs (Anonymous, 1998).McNamara (n.d) lists the following as general benefits from employee training:

  • Increased job satisfaction and morale
  • Increased motivation
  • Increased efficiencies in process, resulting in financial gain
  • Increased capacity to adopt new technologies and methods
  • Increased innovation in strategies and products
  • Reduced employee turnover

This is only partial listing of the many benefits that result from training. Training that is appropriate to the needs of an organization can add great value. Training is not always the answer to performance problem. Brandt Sakakeeny, training industry analyst for Soloman Smith Barney believes that training can be great investment and training can be a waste of money (Rosner, 1999).training is indeed a waste when the desired behavior does not occur. Gupta acknowledges that not all performance problems can be addressed by training. In many cases, non – training interventions are necessary (Gupta 1999). The key is to identify what problems can be attributed are necessary (Gupta 1999).The key is to identify what problems can be attributed to training deficiencies and, once that is accomplished, to insure that the right training is implemented. Bartram and Gibson, in their Training Needs  Analysis Toolkit agree. Without the right training , employees can be the orgainsation’s  biggest liability. Trained effectively, however, they can become your biggest asset ( Bartram and Gibson, 2000). Rosner (1999) adds another ingredient for  success – support after training . He states, “the most effective programs train workers in new behaviors and then train managers to support employees as they apply learning daily (Rosner, 1999). Support and endorsement from management can greatly enhance training results..

Needs of training :

  • Introduce new trainees to the business ( know as “ induction training”)

  • Help provide the skills the business needs (in particular asking the workforce        more     flexible or being trained on new higher technology machinery)

  • Provide trainees with better knowledge about the business and the market it operates

  • Provide support for jobs that are complex and for which the required skills and knowledge are often changing (e.g. a firm of lawyers training staff about new legislation)

  • Support the introduction of new working methods, such as a firm introducing new lean production techniques

  • Reduce the need for supervision and therefore free up valuable manager time
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  • Help improve quality of product or service and lower customer complaints

  • Increase employee motivation and loyalty to the business

Linking learning through the senses: Keys to Successful Training

           

         Learning  happens when our senses are stimulated. We quickly learn when we are young that if we drink something that is very hot, we will experience the feeling of pain and the lingering effect of burned tongue. How did we learn this? Someone ay have warned us that a beverage was hot, or there may have been a sign or label that told ...

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