Effective training and development

Topic 2.5.3: Effective Training and Development

Hi there! Welcome to your study notes on Effective Training and Development. This chapter is part of the "Making human resource decisions" section. Once a business has recruited the right people, it needs to make sure they have the skills to do their jobs well and the motivation to stay. Think of training like "levelling up" in a video game—it helps employees perform better and reach new goals!

How Businesses Train and Develop Employees

There isn't just one way to learn a job. Businesses use different methods depending on what the employee needs to learn. Don't worry if these terms seem similar at first; we will break them down into simple parts.

1. Formal and Informal Training

Formal Training is very structured. It often happens away from the main workspace. It might involve a professional teacher or a specific course.
Example: A chef going to a culinary school for a week to learn how to use a new industrial oven.

Informal Training is more relaxed and usually happens while the person is actually working. It’s often called "learning by doing" or "shadowing."
Example: A new shop assistant watching an experienced staff member use the till for the first afternoon.

2. Self-learning

This is when an employee takes charge of their own development. They might read manuals, watch instructional videos, or use online modules in their own time or during set "study hours" at work.

3. Ongoing Training for All Employees

Training isn't just for new people! To stay competitive, everyone in the business needs ongoing training. This ensures that skills stay sharp and everyone is up-to-date with the latest ways of working.

4. Target Setting and Performance Reviews

To make training effective, businesses need to know what to focus on. They use two main tools:
• Target Setting: Giving an employee a specific goal to reach (e.g., "Increase your sales by 5% this month").
• Performance Reviews: A meeting between a manager and an employee to discuss how they are doing. They look at whether targets were met and what training is needed next.

Quick Review: The Training Toolkit
• Formal: Structured courses.
• Informal: Learning while working.
• Self-learning: Teaching yourself.
• Reviews: Checking progress and setting goals.

Key Takeaway: Training is a continuous process that uses different methods to help staff improve their skills and reach specific targets.

Why Businesses Train and Develop Employees

Training costs money and takes time, so why do businesses bother? It’s because the benefits are huge!

1. The Link Between Training, Motivation, and Retention

This is a "triple win" for a business:
• Training: Gives the employee new skills.
• Motivation: When employees feel they are getting better at their jobs and that the business is investing in them, they feel more valued and work harder.
• Retention: If employees are happy and motivated, they are more likely to stay with the business (retention). This saves the business money because they don't have to spend more on recruiting new people.

Memory Aid: The Happy Cycle Better Training -> Higher Motivation -> Better Retention (Staff stay longer!)

2. Retraining to Use New Technology

Technology changes fast! If a business buys a new computer system or a robot for a factory, the staff need retraining. If they aren't retrained, the expensive new technology is useless because no one knows how to use it properly.

Did you know? Businesses that don't train their staff often end up losing more money in the long run because of mistakes, slow work, and staff leaving to find better jobs elsewhere!

Common Mistake to Avoid: Students often think training is only for when you start a job. Remember, ongoing training is vital for existing staff, especially when new technology is introduced.

Key Takeaway: Training makes employees more motivated, which helps the business keep its staff (retention). It also ensures the workforce can handle new technology effectively.

Summary Checklist

Before you move on, make sure you can:
• Explain the difference between formal and informal training.
• Describe how performance reviews help in developing staff.
• Explain why training leads to better staff retention.
• Give a reason why a business would need to retrain its existing staff.

You've got this! Training is all about making the team stronger and more capable. Keep going!