In the case of the person i interviewed, she identified the training needs she needed by herself .i.e. she knew she didn’t have a specific skill, and decided to go on a course to gain that skill.
Training could either be done by on-the-job training method, which includes employees working while they under-went training. That is, they would be under supervision by one of their following already skilled colleagues, or a mentor. This is quite good as the skill will be possessed in a familiar place with familiar equipment. Or the training could also have been done off-the-job, which means that the employee goes away from the workplace, off-site, and takes a course. It will most likely be in the form of a presentation, plus a practice session where individuals get to have hands-on practice. Off the job training is usually good as where the training is under-gone; usually have more equipment than the work place. Another type of training is induction training, although this is usually done when a person starts a job at an organisation. They will learn the basic skills required working at their work place, health and safety skills, emergency exits, what o do in case of emergencies, and other company specifics needed to be learnt. Basically all the things needed for the employee to feel welcome and comfortable at their new workplace, as if they do, they will be more productive at work.
Reasons for training
Some reasons for a person wanting to undergo training or development in a certain area will probably either be personal, or it might also be to broaden knowledge in a specific area. It could also be that training in a specific area is required by an organisation for an individual to start work. Although there is induction training, other additional training, or past qualifications may be required. The interviewee said that the reason for her training was that she wanted to learn more about a specific procedure that was undergone at the hospital. ’To be more competent in a specialty in Orthopaedics trauma training.’ Although this kind of training was not required to be undergone, she just wanted to do it, so that as a method of eliminating boredom in the work place. Boredom in the sense that she doesn’t have to repeat the same job or procedure over and over again. Some of the benefits of undergoing this training for the employee includes:
- To gain extra knowledge – Gaining extra knowledge in one or more areas will mean that employees can do more jobs, and get paid more.
- Having more confidence in the job – This will mean that one is more able to do a job, and will do it wilth more efficiency.
- Being able to provide better healthcare for patients
- To be able to work confidently within the team.
The training programme
The training programme undergone was an off-the-job training programme. This was not necessarily training, but also development, as they already had skills to work at their workplace, but now acquiring new skills to further enhance their working experience.
It was done in a classroom method in a University. Trainees were presented with slides and they took down notes just like in a normal classroom. Teaching aids and equipments were made available to the trainees. This would have been very useful and made training alot more understandable as they had real-time hands-on experience on how to use the equipment. Theory and practical methods were also used, meaning that they learnt all the things they needed to in theory, and then practices what they had learnt n theory. This is more effective than just theory, as doing the practical will mean that they easily remember what they have learnt on a later date. The off the job training was done by external sources, although they are part of a company in the association. Employers paid for the training process for all the employees so this cost the organisation quite alot. Although this will add to the employers’ costs, it will also look like an investment to the organisation as now; they will have more skilled staff to work for them in the organisation.
Strengths and weaknesses of the training programme
Weaknesses
The main weakness of the training process was that it was a tedious one, as it was all day for a period of three days. The training went on everyday during the three-day programme, from 9am to 5pm, and the only break that was given was a 30-minute lunch break.
Strengths
- One major strength is that, as the training was paid for by the organisation, the employees stayed in very comfortable hotel rooms as they stayed in a 4 star hotel.
- Training was done at a university, so they had all equipment needed for training.
- University lecture hall was used for theory teaching.
- During the practical section of the training, they were all divided into groups, and that way, training is alot more efficient, and individuals have a chance to work in a team, which will also mean they will have been trained in team skill building as well as their original training.
- Trainee is now able to work somewhere else with an agency that specialise in the ‘orthopaedics’ department. This is useful as there is the potential to earn more.
Training was very successful as at the end of the course, the employee has learnt something new and gained something. Not only has the employee gained something valuable, but also the employer as they now have staff who are experienced in more areas. This is good for them as t would cost more to hire more staff than to train the ones they already have.
At the end of the training, trainees were told to evaluate the training, how good it was... e.t.c
Motivated
Training has motivated trainee alot to do the orthopaedic surgery as she is now more confident in the skill she has acquired.
Alternative – organised locally. Can’t be as effective as off-the-job
