Workplace Training is the process of acquiring new skills, knowledge and efficiency at your work place. It helps develop a productive and efficient employee. Companies conduct different kinds of workplace training based on their individual needs, the urgency for the requirements and also the availability of available resources. All these factors affect the training program and decide its effectiveness.
There are many different types of workplace training that employers design and choose to implement. Some of these include leadership development, individual growth, group development, sales training, information security etc. Each of these has a particular need of a potential new employee. The aim is to inculcate new skills and knowledge to help in their productivity.
Leadership development provides the workers with the necessary skills to handle different kinds of situations. As the name suggests, this includes learning about leadership techniques, plans and strategies. It helps employees make informed decisions in different work situations which can be quite risky. In the context of leadership skills, employers can opt for classroom-based workplace training as it is considered to be more effective and beneficial than other methods.
Group development aims to build up a team spirit among the employees. In group situations, people come together to accomplish tasks. Leaders are usually hired to inspire the members to do well. This is one of the most important aspects of employee training as it builds the self-confidence of the new employees. Group coaching also includes hands-on training and good communication.
One of the common ways of training is done by instructor-led training which involves short sessions lasting only an hour or two. The employee will go through several instructions given by the trainer. He/she will then be taught how to perform his responsibilities in a manner that is conducive to the productivity of the business. This type of workplace exercise helps improve employee retention rates as many employees take up the training enthusiastically. However, many employees may not feel comfortable going through the motions of an instructor-led training session due to lack of time.
Group coaching is another workplace option for teaching employees new skills or enhancing existing ones. It is often comprised of an instructor-led training session as well as group discussions. Management-specific activities such as problem solving exercises help employees use their creativity and improve interpersonal communications.
In contrast to group decision-making exercises, employee training methods such as eLearning remain the most popular choices. An online course can be delivered using various interactive software such as Moodle, Skype and WebEx. These programs allow employees to access eLearning content when it is convenient for them. Some companies offer these online courses as part of comprehensive employee training curriculum.
Workplace training programs are increasingly being used as employees become more digitally savvy. It is useful for improving employee retention rates and overall productivity. However, eLearning and simulation training tend to appeal to employees who already possess basic computer skills. These employees may be better served by incorporating more hands-on training into their workplace experience.
There are a number of different types of employee training available for management to choose from. Managers can choose from online classroom training, webinars and simulations. Some managers are wary of using these in their workplace because they fear that employees will simply download eLearning solutions and use them at home. This may have been true in the past, but the advent of easy-to-use software alternatives has greatly reduced the risk of employees taking time away from work for learning that is irrelevant to their job.
Online programs are also proving popular with some employers because it allows them to save on costs and travel expenses. For example, some employers have been able to significantly reduce their overhead costs through the use of webinars and other forms of live webinars. Online training is also more convenient for employers because it can be distributed at any time of the day. It doesn't matter if a manager is running late for a business meeting or is dealing with a customer who won't wait. The training doesn't have to wait for his or her next availability. Workplace training through the internet is just as effective, if not more so, when compared to traditional methods of conducting training.
Another method that some employers are turning to for employee training is role-playing. Professionals play a role playing game in an effort to help themselves practice their English skills. In many cases, the role-play games help people practice their verbal and written communication skills in an actual work setting. Employers may have mixed feelings about role-playing because they worry that employees will develop unhealthy attitudes towards working if they spend too much time in front of a computer screen. However, studies have shown that people who engage in this type of training develop healthier attitudes towards the work place and work more efficiently when given a chance to practice their new skills.
Most businesses need to implement some type of workplace training in order to improve efficiency and save money. Whether it is something as simple as a formal company-wide employee training session or something more involved like role-playing or an online education course, it's important to use the best practices for employee training. Using the best practices for employee training allows companies to save money while still maintaining high quality and professional standards. This ensures that all workers are benefiting from the training, and that the training is delivering results that will positively affect productivity and performance. Instead of settling for one-time exercises, implement continuous professional development that delivers positive results on a regular basis.