“There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.” Jiddu Krishnamurti
Everyone wants to do a good job. Employees want to perform their day to day tasks correctly – no one wakes up in the morning wanting to make mistakes and cause problems (unless that is your job). Employees who are provided with the tools and resources that are needed to develop their skills will continue to add value to your organization.
Workplace learning is an ongoing process with many benefits. When designed and implemented correctly employee training can improve:
Employee buy-in – employees who feel that the organization is invested in their development will feel more committed to the company;
Increased job satisfaction – employees who believe they have the skills and knowledge needed to carry out their day-to-day activities will feel satisfied in their role;
Increased employee retention – employee buy-in and job satisfaction will result in increased employee retention;
Employee motivation and capacity – training increases the employee’s capacity in their role by providing them with the knowledge to perform their job. This leads to less downtime or time lost while troubleshooting or problem-solving.
It is important to remember that not all training programs are created equally. Employee training is most effective when it is developed with the following Adult Learning principles integrated into the training and development program:
Active involvement
Employees want to be involved in their training – during the development of content, have control over the order in which they take the courses and be actively involved during the training course.
Connecting their learning to real-life experiences
Provide time during training to allow trainees to make connections between the content they are learning and the applications to their day-to-day job, or past experience.
Different learning styles
Provide multiple types of learning activities – this will increase retention and allow the trainee to experience the material in a way that suits them best.
Goals related to the training
Ensure that the end goal of the training aligns with the course. Some courses provide an overview of many topics and others are more specialized – ensure employees are attending the course that aligns best with their role and the organization’s goals and needs.
Employee training is an ongoing process – there is no end to learning, especially in today’s ever-changing world. Employees want to learn and continue to grow in their companies. In order to do so effectively and efficiently, the training needs to be easily accessible, designed for adult learners and relevant to their roles.
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