Employment, Management

Methods and Types of Continuous Employee Training

business-trainingHuman capital is the most important asset a company has. Businesses would not exist if dedicated workers did not show up every day to do their jobs. A good employer understands that the more knowledgeable people are about their jobs, the more lucrative it is for the company.

When organizations need to cut their budgets, employee training is usually among the first things to go. Companies may hold occasional workshops to introduce their employees to new procedures or software. The problem with this is that one-off training only fills gaps in the short term. Business processes, policies, technology and even the skill sets needed to be effective at a job can change over time.

Constant training is what workers need to stay motivated, update certifications and accreditations, and master new skills. Essentially, organizations that provide continuous training are investing in their employees. Workers are more willing to step up their game because they know that company managers value them enough to invest in the resources they need to thrive in the workplace. Below are some types of employee training companies might consider using on a continual basis.

On-the-Job-Training, Lectures and Seminars

On-the-job training is probably the most frequently used training technique. Often, this type of training is conducted when employees are first hired or when new processes are introduced into the company. On-the-job training is hands on and allows the employees to get a feel for their responsibilities.

There are several methods of providing on-the-job training:

  • Coaching - It means that an experienced employees train and provide instructions
  • Mentoring - Where each trainee is assigned to an experienced staff member who acts as a helper. This method means that mentor provides more personal support than a coach
  • Job rotation - This method means that staff members rotate roles or tasks so that they gain great experience
  • "Sitting next to Nellie" - this method describes the process of working alongside a coworker to learn the skills which is needed for a particular jobs.

Lectures and seminars are the preferred methods of training for some organizations because they are low cost, easy to setup, and they have the potential to reach a number of people. Lectures and workshops are often conducted using one-way communication. Sometimes, the lecturer will use team-building exercises to make the workshops interactive. At the end of the session, employers may quiz their workers to see how much information they have retained.

Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) and Audio Visual

CAI is an interactive computer-based training method that allows employees to work at a pace that's comfortable for them. This method is believed to be more effective than lectures and on-the-job training. When employees complete the CAI training, they are often required to take a test to see how much they have learned. In addition, some CAI programs allow users to go back over the information as many times as they want.

Audio visual training allows companies to use videos, film, close circuit television, and presentation slides to deliver training information to their staff. Often this method combines audiovisual systems and telephones to create what is now referred to as "teletraining".

Continuous training is a must for organizations that want employees who are effective, motivated and productive. The training method each company uses will greatly depend on its needs, budget and the nature of the business.

Published on behalf on one of our friends, Ms. Sarah Connor. She is a blogger and you can find her writing about online education, e-learning and quiz maker software by visiting her website.

One Comment

  1. On-the-job training is so important because it’s a sign you are investing in your employees and their future. People don’t want to work for a company that doesn’t value the work that they do. Coaching creates better, more educated, and more focused employees that have the tools to do an amazing job and build your business.

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