Employee training and development is actually a wide term encompassing many different types of employee learning. Basically, employee development is an integrated program that assists employees learn certain specific skills or knowledge to enhance job performance in their current occupational roles. It is also commonly known as training and learning or as an additive approach. This concept is often applied in the context of organizations to enhance job functioning, productivity and profitability.
In general, employee training is meant to promote or motivate employees toward a common goal or initiative. Common outcomes of such objective-driven employee training programs include improved job satisfaction, increased productivity, effective team building and more. Most employers use this approach in order to align employees with the company vision and mission, while discouraging resistance to change by other employees. These goals are usually set by the organization and monitored by senior management.
Employee development programs can take many forms and should be designed according to the specific needs of each company. There are several approaches that can be taken for employee training and development programs. These include;
One of the most popular approaches to employee training and development programs is the development program, which lays down specific objectives for the training program as well as guiding employees through the various steps involved in achieving those objectives. This facilitates communication between the employer and employee on the training objectives and ensures that objectives are understood and met. This type of approach has a much higher success rate when compared to the traditional training approach.
The second approach towards employee development is the structured employee training program or curriculum. This approach helps employees learn the skills or topics related to their particular roles. This approach is often used when imparting knowledge that cannot be easily implemented at the work place due to factors such as time constraints. For example, a health program might need to be introduced after a surgery has been performed on an employee. In this case, the employee will need to be trained in his role as a surgeon, a physiotherapist and a nurse before he can impart the knowledge to other employees in the office.
A third approach that has been used for employee training and development opportunities is that of the informal or live training session. This type of approach is best used for situations where formal training programs cannot be arranged or when the aim of the company is to introduce a new system of learning that is unique to the company. Live training sessions help in providing answers to employees' most common questions and also helps them develop new skills in their particular areas. An in-depth analysis of a subject is an example of a live training session.
One of the best ways to implement employee training and development opportunities is through enhancing the company culture. A company culture is comprised of many aspects such as values, beliefs, attitudes, interpersonal skills and business practices. Enhancing these values and beliefs through training is one of the most effective ways of fostering growth within the company. Attitudes towards a particular topic can also be developed and positively impacted by this training program. It is important however, that an employee understands what is expected of him and has a clear understanding of the objectives of the training program.
Effective employee training and development opportunities can only be implemented with the active participation of all parties. The company, the employees and the remote work support team must all work together for the best results. Remote work support teams can help to ensure that the training program is as hands-on as possible. They can also ensure that the training program takes place at a time when the employee is most productive. In many cases, it has been found that training at times may take longer than it should if the employees are left on their own to figure out the objectives of the training. In this case, a remote work support team can help to ensure that objectives are defined clearly so that the employee training is as effective as possible.