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Benefits of Training Employees
Hiring and retaining high quality employees is a good policy but investing in developing their knowledge and skills will tremendously increase their productivity. The quality of the workforce and employees’ educational and professional development help determine the long-term profitability of a business institution. Training is commonly considered only for new employees. This is a big mistake; the most successful institutions realize that ongoing training for existing employees results in measurable results for the company.
Purposes of Training and Development
Companies and institutions emphasize their employees’ growth and development of for the following reasons:
1. Ongoing training helps the employee adjust faster to the corporate culture and job expectations.
2. Training creates a pool of adequate and readily available replacements in case personnel leave or move up in the company.
3. Professional development and training enhances the company's ability to make technological advances by having sufficient knowledgeable staff.
4. Training helps to build a more effective, efficient and highly motivated workforce, which boosts employees’ morale and sense of pride in the company.
5. Training enhances an organization’s position when compared to its competing companies.
6. Ongoing training of all employees ensures adequate human resources for expansion into new programs and advances in the ever-changing marketplace.
Benefits of Training Employees
In simple terms, the benefits of providing training to employees can be seen in these bottom-line results:
1. Reduced employee turnover
2. Increased productivity
3. Decreased need for supervision
4. Increased efficiency that translates to an increase in financial gains
5. Employees with a greater feeling of dignity, self-worth and well-being as their value within the company and society increase
6. Increased productivity and financial rewards as employees satisfy company and personal goals
Identifying Training Needs
Training requirements can be evaluated by analyzing these major human resource areas:
a) The whole organization
b) Job characteristics
c) Needs of the individuals
This analysis will answer these questions:
a) Where is training required?
b) What exactly should an employee learn to increase productivity?
c) Who should be trained?
Start by analyzing the status of the company as at now, what and how it does best and the abilities of employees to execute these tasks. This will provide a benchmark where the effectiveness and efficiency of a training program can be assessed. Having a long term strategic plan should help place a company where it desires to be in five years time, and a training program will help take the firm there. Consider the firm’s financial commitment to support the training endeavors. This will ensure a solid foundation and the future success of the training program.
Also, in today's market-driven economy, it is best to ask clients and customers what they think should be improved. The analysis should concentrate on the entire organization and should, in the long run, identify where training is required most and where it will be most productive in the firm.
Evaluation of Training
Training programs should be evaluated regularly to determine their progress and to identify ways to improve. Compare an employee’s newly-acquired skills with the skills expected from the training program. Note any variations and make adjustments to the training program to enable it meet the specified goals. Regular and timely evaluation of the training will prevent it from straying from its goals.