Training

1. Training

2. Why do businesses offer training and development for their employees? • What are the main types of training usually offered to employees? • What are appraisals and performance reviews? Learning objectives

3. What is training and development? Training and development both improve and develop the performance of staff, but they do so in different ways. Training involves organized occasions for employees to learn or develop knowledge and skills which will help with their jobs, e.g. having ICT training. Developmentdescribestimes when staff can learn skills or gain knowledge that is not necessarily job related, e.g. playing a team sport or temporarily working in a different department.

4. Training or development? Which functional area would arrange training and development?

5. What is induction training? When a new member of staff starts work they will be given induction trainingto help them to learn about thebusiness, and so that they can settle in quickly. Induction training usually includes: • a tour of the premises • an explanation of how the business is organized • an explanation of the business’s aims and objectives • health and safety training.

6. An induction training plan Use this template to create an induction training plan for a new secretary starting at your school or college.

7. Training and motivation? Many businesses want their staff to continue training during their time at work. Training benefits businesses as their employees can perform more tasks and can cope with extra responsibilities. It also motivates the staff as it can bring them: • job enlargement – when staff can perform a variety of tasks • job enrichment – when staff are given freedom and responsibility over their tasks • job satisfaction– when staff enjoy their jobs and working for the organizations

8. Ongoing training Ongoing training falls into two main categories: • on the job training– happens in the workplace • off the job training– happens out of the workplace.

9. On the job training During on the job training an employee will learn in the workplace, often by shadowing an experienced employee. Many employees enjoy training on the job because they can see why they need to learn the skills and are able to practise them. On the job training is cheaper for businesses to provide than off the job training, and it is less disruptive to production. But it is not good for training large groups of employees.

10. Off the job training Off the job training means to train away from the workplace. It usually involves attending a course carried out by subject specialists in a collegeor training centre, or by e-learning. It allows employees to learn new skills without any distractions. Off the job training is expensive for businesses as they must pay for the courses, and staff cannot produce anything whilst they are away training. However, it is a good way to train large groups or to teach multiple skills.

11. Ongoing training Ongoing training falls into two main categories: • on the job training– happens in the workplace • off the job training– happens out of the workplace. List what the advantages and disadvantages are of each type of training.

12. Appraisals Organizations generally assess how well their staff have been performing over a period of time, usually 6–12 months, to help motivate them. These assessments are called appraisals or performance reviews. In an appraisal interview an employee and his or her manager will discuss: • what the employee has done well • areas they need to improve • the employer’s feedback • an action plan for the future.

13. The importance of appraisals Why are appraisals or performance reviews important? so that employees contribute to decisions about their careers to help fix pay rises, especially forprofit related pay to improve communication Why have appraisals? to reveal and resolve any problems to identify training and development needs so employers can plan training and development