Why do we need Training and Development?

Change is the only constant thing in today’s world and it is a necessity for human beings to adapt to this Change. As the Darwin theory state “survival of the fittest” which means only those who are fit will survive. The same theory holds true in the Corporate. Only those employee who keep on adapting to the changing environment survive.

Training and development is a tool to help employees develop their personal and organizational skills and knowledge. The employees can adapt to the changing environment only by training and development.

How does this adaptation happen?

This question does originate in the human mind. This is possible with Training & Development. Training oneself to keep updated with the changing technology, skills etc. We often hear terms Training and development but what does it mean exactly. Let’s understand the Meaning of training and development with their definitions.

Training and development involves improving the effectiveness of organizations and the individuals and teams within them. Training may be viewed as related to immediate changes in organizational effectiveness via organized instruction, while development is related to the progress of longer-term organizational and employee goals. While training and development technically have differing definitions, the two are oftentimes used interchangeably and/or together. Training and development has historically been a topic within applied psychology but has within the last two decades become closely associated with human resources management, talent management, human resources development, instructional design, human factors, and knowledge management as per Wikipedia.

Development on the other hand is a more elaborated term which emphasizes on employee growth and employee future development. Employee training and development is a vast term and involves various aspects of learning. Training and development comprises of three activities namely training, education and development.

Transfer of Training to Employees. 

Employee development cannot happen without transfer of training skills from the trainer to the employee. There are certain practices that need to be followed to make this exercise an effective one. 

·        Training program should be realistic

·        The culture in the organization must be supportive as without managerial support training skills cannot be implemented well

·        Designing robust training and development policy is important.

·        Training and practice should go hand in hand

Types of Training

There are basically five types of employee training and development programme which can be categorised as follows:

·        Induction training

·        Job instruction training

·        Vestibule training

·        Refresher training

·        Apprenticeship training

 Future of Employee Training

An organisation cannot sustain in absence of training and development programme  as untrained employees can’t be employed. The companies are looking for a very effective training programme in the future.

Following points to be considered for making training very effective in future: 

1. Demand for effective training programme will increase.

2. Organisations will invest more in learning management system and will rely on training programme integration with the company's processes.

3. Technology such as mobile learning will help training to be delivered in an effective manner.

4. More emphasis on Training programme resulting in employee engagement.

5. Customized training programme should be adopted to meet the need of individual employees.

6. Imbibing learning culture in the organisation so that training and development process  is the central core and knowledge sharing and communication are central elements.

7. Employing more simulation techniques so as to make training an effective process.

Benefits of Training & Development

1. Increased Productivity

2. Minimum supervision and lesser errors

3. Tapping of employee potential and more job satisfaction

4. Lesser absenteeism

5.  More consistency

6. Better team coordination

7. Better skill development

8. More utilisation of resources

9. More effective working

10. Better compliance with regulation  

11. Decrease in safety related accidents