Training of Employees

Training of Employees

As technology advances and workplace methods and strategies improve, there comes a need for employers and employees to align with these changes in terms of knowledge, skills, values and abilities. One of the best ways to enhance knowledge and skills is through training. Getting employees exposed to relevant and consistent training can help companies improve performance and increase results in the workplace. In this article, we explain the importance of training employees and provide a list of potential benefits.

What is the importance of employee training?

Training is important because it represents a good opportunity for employees to grow their knowledge base and improve their job skills to become more effective in the workplace. Despite the cost of training for employees, the return on investment is immense if it is consistent.

There are several reasons it is important for employers to initiate training programs for their employees, such as:

It improves skills and knowledge

Employee training programs help improve the knowledge and skills of employees to match the various changes in the industry. These improvements will positively affect the productivity of workers, which can increase the profits and efficiency of an organization. Some of the things employees may learn through training include work ethics, human relations and safety.

It prepares employees for higher responsibilities.

Training programs can also help prepare employees who are moving into higher roles and taking on more responsibilities in an organization. These programs will help them learn the skills that are required to function effectively in their new positions. For example, they may be trained in leadership skills or in a specific software they will use in their new role.

It shows employees they are valued.

Implementing training programs in the workplace will help employees feel like the company is invested in them. By continuing to teach your employees new skills and abilities, they will not just become better workers, they will feel like more productive members of the organization. This will improve their morale as well as their workplace capabilities.

It tests the efficiency of a new performance management system.

Employee training programs help an organization test the efficiency and effectiveness of a new performance management system, which will help HR establish clearer performance expectations. Using these systems to train your employees will reinforce the necessity of meeting goals and help employees better understand what is expected of them.

It improves IT and computer skills.

Training programs help employees learn about specific computer skills and IT topics, such as the use of software systems. Companies may train their employees to create graphs and spreadsheets, edit data in their database and understand network arrangements in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of computers to improve workplace efficiency.

Ways/Methods of Training

Training is generally imparted in two ways:

 

  1. On the job training- On the job training methods are those which are given to the employees within the everyday working of a concern. It is a simple and cost-effective training method. The inproficient as well as semi- proficient employees can be well trained by using such training method. The employees are trained in actual working scenario. The motto of such training is “learning by doing.” Instances of such on-job training methods are job-rotation, coaching, temporary promotions, etc. 

     

  2. Off the job training- Off the job training methods are those in which training is provided away from the actual working condition. It is generally used in case of new employees. Instances of off the job training methods are workshops, seminars, conferences, etc. Such method is costly and is effective if and only if large number of employees have to be trained within a short time period. Off the job training is also called as vestibule training,i.e., the employees are trained in a separate area( may be a hall, entrance, reception area,etc. known as a vestibule) where the actual working conditions are duplicated.