Workplace training and or skills development is an opportunity and benefit to both employers and employees. Training is an excellent chance to expand employees’ knowledge and skills.
Workplace training and or skills development also has its challenges. Regardless of potential drawbacks training and skills development will provide both individual employees and the business with many benefits.
Cost and Time
The old cliché time is money is an apt description. The cost of training can be quite expensive; especially if there are no policies in place where the business pays for the individuals training, and the individual leaves the business. Another is the cost of employee time away from the office. Employees attending training can delay project progress.
Weaknesses and Skills Gaps
With regular and ongoing workplace training programs businesses, can more easily find and identify weaknesses or gaps in their workforce. The advantage is being able to train your staff in these areas. They will be better skilled at their job and there is all round achievement.
Staying ahead of your competitors is a hugh benefit; your staff continually advance and grow, projects are completed faster. Employees need less assistance.
Performance
Employees who have access to the necessary training to help them do their jobs gain more confidence and are better equipped, their performance increases. Training for the most basic tasks can ensure work is completed more thoroughly with less risk.
Business and industry is constantly changing therefore training and skills development is a necessity. Your business continues to evolve hence the need to keep developing and maintaining compliance with industry regulations. This is achievable through on-going training and development by ensuring your staffs’ skills and knowledge are always current.
Increased consistency and continuity
Your business needs a structured training and development program(s) to maintain consistency and, also continuity. Providing regular and ongoing training guarantees all employees have continued knowledge of tasks and procedures.
One could argue the relevance of what areas in the business require training over other areas. Training and development is quite simply one of the highest-leverage activities in a business.
Employee satisfaction
Satisfied employees are inclined to work harder, be more comfortable doing their jobs, and are less likely to leave the company. Training is a proven element that contributes greatly at levels of employee satisfaction.
Employees with access to regular training and development opportunities feel they are working towards a goal. Employees feel valued, they can make use of these opportunities to further their skills, knowledge, career and even a promotion.
Workplace training and skills development should be treated like an investment with great skills benefits. Too often its perceived as extra and unnecessary costs.
What am I missing here? Let me know in the comments and I’ll add it in!