10 Training Tips for Employers
Do you invest as much in upgrading your workforce as you do in your office equipment?
It is a big challenge for an organization to create and maintain a skilled and happy workforce, but it's even more important to make sure their skills are up to par with the rest of the industry. Be sure you're not wasting the potential that's right under your nose!
Here are ten tips for employers to maximize the benefits of training for their employees.
Number 1
Think long-term
Business is a long-term activity, and therefore you should develop a long-term staff training strategy. Training the staff will encourage their feelings of job ownership and of being valued and respected.
Number 2
Develop clear training programs
Put in place visible and clear plans of development and training progression routes for your employees. This will enable each employee to see a defined route for their development within the company.
Number 3
Make time for training
Set a number of training days per year for each employee, and communicate this policy to them. Some employees can be reluctant to ask to be sent for training as they feel it will take away from their time spent in the office and affect their productivity. By indicating that the company has set aside time for them to take training, you assure them of your interest in their career advancement as well as reinforce their sense of their value to the company.
Number 4
Pay attention to personal development
You may find that some staff may lack confidence to fully participate in workforce development due to their self-perceived lack of literacy skills. Therefore, offer a choice of learning methods to the staff who need more training to construct better internal personalities and characteristics.
Number 5
Meet regularly with your staff
Always conduct regular evaluations with staff to ensure that their development needs, as well as yours, are on the right track. Find out if there are training programs that they are interested in attending and, if they sound good, work them into their training schedules. This is essential to build up a cooperative relationship between you and your employees to work towards your mutual goals.
Number 6
Use your own premises
People are more comfortable demonstrating their skills when in their natural environment. So consider on-site assessment and training as it will be more effective.
Number 7
Do your research
Carefully evaluate advertised "training" programs before sending your employees to attend them. Some may simply be extended sales pitches for new products. Others could be borderline scams to make your company/employees buy expensive products or sign up for further training in order to achieve a certification of dubious value. Sending your employees for these kinds of training programs may make them doubt your judgment and corporate strategy.
Number 8
Look in-house for trainers
Wherever possible, train your most skilled employees to act as trainers and mentors for newer staff. Your own employees can apply their institutional knowledge to implement new methods through practical examples more effective in your organization. Also, it will help in the adaptation of new processes when the experienced employees feel they can participate in the building and mentoring of new skills in the organisation. Not everyone is a born teacher, so after you identify those with potential, provide coaching to them to be effective trainers and presenters. Further maximize your investment in the presentation coaching by making it available to new hires as well.
Number 9
Partner with local schools
Work closely with local secondary schools, colleges and universities to develop courses and work experience to support the growth of basic skills locally. Provide opportunities for internships and work-study programs to groom future employees who are already familiar with the culture of your organization.
Number 10
Use local support organizations
Take full advantage of the support offered by local learning services as these organizations are proficient in their field of training and development. Develop close and cooperative relationships with them so you can call upon them for assistance when you need professional expertise.
Conclusion
It is essential, especially in a globalized economy, to ensure that your staff is up to interacting with other companies and the rest of the industry. Therefore, don't overlook the benefits of training your existing staff to better utilize their experience and knowledge of the company. Not to mention it's often more cost effective to provide training to expand the skill set of your existing staff than to budget for and orient new hires.
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