Training

Training

1. Training: giving employees the knowledge, skills and techniques necessary to fulfill the requirements of a job.

2. Induction training: is given as an initial preparation upon taking up a post. Its goal is to help new employees reach the level of performance expected from an experienced workers. Makes clear the the values and expectations of of the business.

3. Off-the-job training: away from the place of work eg. at a training centre or college.

   • Advantages
     • Use of specialist trainers and accommodation. Not financially viable for smaller businesses to provide in-house.
     • Employees can focus on training and not be distracted by work. This is particularly true at management or supervisory level, where the temptation to check on how things are going without you, might be too much for some.
     • Opportunity to mix with employees from other businesses can be a great support for those who might have sole responsibility for a particular areas in their place of work.
   • Disadvantages
     • Employee needs to be motivated to learn, particularly if the training is undertaken in their own time.
     • It may not b directly relevant to the employee's job because the training may have to cover a wide range of jobs - it may be too general.
     • Costs can make off-the-job training beyond the financial resources of smaller businesses.

4. On-the-job training: learning by doing the job, under the guidance of an experienced member of staff or external trainer.

   • Advantages
     • Training in own working environment, with equipment they are familiar with and people they know can help them gain direct experience to a standard approved by the employer./
     • More confidence to use the equipment if they are supervised and guided as they feel they are doing the job right.
     • Employees feel more at ease being taught or supervised by people they know rather than complete strangers.
     • Manages and supervisors can assess improvement over time making it easier to identify a problem.
     • Productive - employee still working.
     • Prove an opportunity to get to know staff they might not normally talk to.
     • Cost effective - it is very specific to the requirements for the job.
   • Disadvantages
     • Training a person requires skill and knowledge, without which the training may not be done to a sufficient standard.
     • The trainer may not be given the time to spend with the employee to teach them properly, which may lead to substandard training.
     • The trainers may possess bad habits and pass these onto the employee being trained.
     • If a trainer ha been brought into the company externally they might not be familiar with the equipment, or layout of the firm, and this could waste time.

5. Benefits

   • Employer
     • Effective workforce
     • Higher motivation and better quality
     • Improved reputation customers, suppliers and recruits.
   • Employees
     • Improved job opportunities
     • More confidence at work
     • Increased job security

6. Costs

   • Employer
     • Time lost for training
     • Loss of trained workers to rival businesses.
     • Cost of training
   • Employee
     • Time needed to complete training
     • Pressure to learn new skills
     • Unwanted responsibility