Definition: Programs designed for training employees in specific skills
Employee training is a necessity. You need to get new hires up
to speed as quickly as possible so they can become productive
members of your team. And you want to update the skills of existing
employees so they'll be ready for you to implement new technology,
develop new processes and acquire new markets.
You may be able to do much of the training yourself--at a
significant cost in time, of course. Your more experienced
employees are also good sources of training, either on the job or
in more formal, off-site sessions held in lunchrooms or classrooms.
You can save time--but not money--if you hire third-party trainers
to conduct classroom sessions. Inexpensive, easily repeated
training can be found in video-based courses, computer-assisted
instruction, and Web-based training.
Whatever training mode you go with, here are keys to developing
a good training strategy:
- Start by asking yourself what you want your people to learn. Be
as specific as possible. ("I want my evening shift workers to be
able to use Microsoft Excel to update the day's sales
figures.")
- Assess your employees' current skill levels. Evaluate the gap
between where you want to be and where you are.
- Select one of the training modes described above, based on your
time and financial budget. Do not forget to budget for downtime and
lost production while class is in session.
- Decide who knows the topic best. It may be you, your veteran
employees or a third-party trainer.
- Design a training program. It should call for imparting
information to trainees, giving them time to absorb and try out
their lessons, providing expert feedback, and giving them a chance
to be creative.
Don't forget to make the training enjoyable--even fun. And if
you get stuck on what to do about any of these training issues, ask
the trainees. Your employees may know more than you give them
credit for.