Many organisations in the past viewed training and development as costly, time consuming and not worth the effort. Nowadays, the modern workplace recognises the importance of investing in training and development and appreciates its valuable benefits.
Training and development ensures the availability of a skilled workforce to the organisation. Being skilled and educated makes the workforce more effective, efficient and productive. It optimizes the utilization of human resources and therefore helps to increase productivity. As an organisation becomes more efficient and productive it will also become more profitable as a result. Productivity and profitability are essential for an organisation to grow and achieve its long-term goals.
Training and development encourages and assists both professional and personal growth. This helps employees to achieve personal goals, which in turn increases the individual’s contribution to the company, leading to heightened job satisfaction. Improvements in staff morale and levels of motivation can be enjoyed. The end result is the companies increased ability to retain its happy and skilled workforce.
Externally, training and development helps to create a positive corporate image of the organisation, as it demonstrates the company’s commitment to people.
Training and development in the workplace creates a learning culture within the organisation by encouraging open mindedness, a thirst for knowledge and willingness to learn new things.
Training and development specifically in the area of ‘Health and Safety’ helps protect the workforce from work related illness or injury. Educating staff on safe practices in the workplace will also serve to protect the company from legal issues such as injury claims or law suits.
Training and development plays an imperative role in the modern workplace’s ability to cope with change. New technology, regulations, and increased competition are common obstacles which call upon staff to obtain new skills and to make adjustments to work and procedures. Staff training and development is therefore a must-have survival tactic in an ever changing business world.
The absolute necessity of staff training and development in the modern workplace is clearly seen in the effects that it has on an organisation and its workforce. Any organisation reaping the benefits of having implemented effective training and development programmes has well and truly increased its chances of overall business excellence.
