Business (9225) | Training

Welcome to the Human Resources Section: Training

Hello future Business Experts! This chapter is all about Training. Training is one of the most crucial parts of Human Resources because skilled employees are happy employees, and happy employees mean a successful business!

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first. Think of training like upgrading the software on your phone—it makes everything run faster and smoother!

What You Will Learn:

• Why businesses need to train their staff.
• The three main types of training (and their pros and cons).
• How training impacts things like motivation and productivity.

The Importance and Benefits of Staff Training

Why do businesses spend time and money teaching their employees new things? It's simple: investing in people provides a huge return.

A business needs to ensure that its staff have the right skills and knowledge to do their jobs effectively. This is true for someone making coffee, fixing a car, or designing a new app.

Key Benefits of Staff Training

Training helps a business achieve the following key goals:

1. Increased Productivity:

When staff know exactly how to do a task quickly and efficiently, they produce more output in less time.
Example: If a factory worker is trained on a new machine, they can operate it much faster than someone who is guessing.

2. Improved Quality:

Training teaches the proper standards and procedures. This means fewer mistakes, less waste (wastage), and better quality products or services for the customer.

3. Higher Motivation and Job Satisfaction:

Employees feel valued when a business invests in them. They are more confident and are given opportunities to move up (promotion), which boosts morale.

4. Reduced Staff Turnover:

When staff are happy and motivated, they are less likely to leave the company. This saves the business money because they don't have to constantly recruit and induct new employees.

5. Better Reputation:

A well-trained workforce provides excellent customer service, leading to a good reputation and more repeat business.

The Three Main Types of Training

Training isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. Businesses use different methods depending on the situation. We categorize training into three main types:

Memory Aid: Think of the word T.O.O.
Teaching Outside, On-the-job.

1. Induction Training

What is it? This is mandatory training given to new employees when they first join the business. It helps them settle in quickly.

Focus Areas:

• Introducing them to colleagues and managers.
• Explaining the business’s mission, culture, and rules.
• Safety procedures (like fire drills or handling equipment).
• Basic IT access and procedures.

Advantages of Induction Training:

• Helps new staff feel comfortable quickly.
• Makes sure the new employee doesn't break rules or safety procedures right away.
• Reduces costly mistakes caused by lack of knowledge.

Disadvantages of Induction Training:

• The new employee is not producing output while training is taking place (loss of productivity).
• Current staff must spend time teaching the new starter instead of doing their own jobs.

2. On-the-Job Training

What is it? This is when employees learn new skills or tasks while they are actually working, often guided by a more experienced colleague, manager, or mentor.

Example: A new retail assistant learning how to use the till (cash register) by watching a supervisor and then trying it out with supervision.

Advantages of On-the-Job Training:

• Cost-Effective: It is usually cheaper as no external trainers or special facilities are needed.
• Relevant: The skills learned are immediately relevant to the job and the business's specific equipment.
• Productive: The worker can still contribute (produce output) while they are learning.

Disadvantages of On-the-Job Training:

• Poor Quality Training: The mentor (the employee doing the teaching) might not be a good teacher, even if they are good at their job.
• Mistakes Risk: Mistakes might be made while dealing with real customers or production, which can damage the business’s reputation or cause wastage.
• Trainee might be distracted by the busy work environment.

3. Off-the-Job Training

What is it? This is training that takes place away from the normal work environment. This could be at a local college, a specialist training center, or a conference/seminar.

Example: Sending a manager to a university course on advanced leadership skills, or an IT specialist to a specific certification seminar.

Advantages of Off-the-Job Training:

• Expertise: Training is delivered by professional trainers who specialize in teaching that subject.
• Fewer Mistakes: There is zero risk to the business's production or customers while the employee is learning.
• New ideas and practices can be brought back into the business from outside the organization.

Disadvantages of Off-the-Job Training:

• High Cost: This is often very expensive (fees, travel, accommodation).
• Loss of Output: The employee is completely absent from the workplace, leading to a temporary loss of productivity.
• The skills learned might be too general and not perfectly match the specific needs of the business.

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Evaluating Training Decisions: Summary

When deciding which type of training to use, managers must weigh the costs against the benefits.

Encouragement Corner and Common Mistakes

Remember that training is not just a cost; it is an investment. Successful businesses understand that their employees are their most valuable asset.

Common Mistakes Students Make:

1. Mixing up On-the-Job and Induction: Induction is ONLY for new starters to get familiar. On-the-Job is for existing employees (or new ones) learning *specific, ongoing tasks* while working.
2. Ignoring the Cost of Lost Output: When staff are trained (especially Off-the-Job), they aren't working, which costs the business money in lost sales or production. Always mention this cost!
3. Only mentioning productivity: Don't forget that training hugely impacts staff motivation, making them more loyal (reducing staff turnover).

Did you know? Many companies now use "blended learning," which combines both on-the-job coaching with short periods of off-the-job e-learning or specialized courses. This helps reduce the cost while keeping the quality high!

Key Takeaway

Training ensures staff are competent, motivated, and productive. The choice between On-the-Job and Off-the-Job training depends critically on balancing cost, quality, and the potential risk of mistakes.

You’ve mastered the core concepts of Training! Keep revising those advantages and disadvantages.