Staff development and training

1. Staff development and training

2. What is ‘training and development’? Training relates to job specific skills and abilities, learned at work or somewhere else (eg how to use a spreadsheet package). Development relates to any activities to increase knowledge, skills or experience (eg learning a foreign language).

3. Why train and develop staff? Because: • Jobs and technology changes • New staff need special training • Promoted staff need new skills • It increases staff motivation and retention • It increases staff efficiency • It improves employee career prospects • Staff become multi-skilled and can do more interesting jobs

4. Types of training • Induction training = for new staff • On-the-job training = to learn company equipment and systems • Off-the-job training = to learn about other aspects of the job or area of work • E-learning = learning by computer Cost is important. Training budgets are usually limited.

5. Identifying training needs • New employees – may be identified at interview • Existing employees – usually identified during appraisal or performance review • Employees expected to identify own needs and make suggestions. Normally expected to link to company needs.

6. Topics discussed at appraisal • Tasks done well since last appraisal • Tasks causing problems since last appraisal/problem areas • Areas employee wishes to develop in the future – future aims and ambitions. Discussed at confidential interview – usually with line manager.

7. National Awards • Companies committed to staff training and development can become Investors in People (IIP) • National Training Awards = annual competition. Give recognition for excellence in training and development.

8. Assessing training • What opportunities are available? • What financial support is available? • Are events checked to make sure they are relevant/interesting? • Is health and safety training ongoing? • Are staff more efficient after being trained? • Do staff enjoy training sessions?

9. Future training needs 1 To enable staff to benefit from: • New technology • New business developments • Changing job content • Changing job roles • Ongoing personal development • Better career prospects

10. Future training needs 2 To enable business to benefit from: • Multi-skilled staff • Greater flexibility amongst staff • New technology • Greater efficiency • New business opportunities • Greater staff motivation and retention.