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.