Training and development is a function of the Human Resource Departments of organizations. It revolves around the learning of employees for the benefit of both, the organization and the employee.
Definition
It is a well defined structured program to train employees with present or new skills as per the market requirement. Changing business environment makes learning inevitable. Thus, training and development programs are a solution to the skill gaps within the organization. This is also the process of reducing production costs by improving efficiency and effectiveness. A well trained and productive employee will always cost less in terms of output and the quality of the output.
Organizational Development is a process that “strives to build the capacity to achieve and sustain a new desired state that benefits the organization or community and the world around them.” (From the Organizational Development Network website).
The relation between Training and Development
| Training | Development |
| Created for operatives | For executives |
| Reactive in nature | Proactive in nature |
| Focus on individual skills | Focus on overall persona |
| Short term process | Continuous |
| Caters to present need | Caters to future needs |
| Initiated and performed by management | Initiated and performed by Individuals |
The need for Training and Development
- Develop new skills
- Enhance existing skills
- Testing new methodologies
- Improving performance
The importance of Training and Development
- Better resource utilization
- Improved productivity
- Positive attitude
- Better organizational culture
- Less idle time
- Safer workplace
- Job satisfaction and morale boost among employees
- Employees become up to date with the changing market environment
Advantages
- More skilled employees
- Better co-ordination
- Opportunities to promote leadership
- Motivated workforce
- Better skillset translates to better productivity
Disadvantages
- It is a very expensive process
- Sometimes trainers are from outside the organization which again increases the cost
- Employees tend to change jobs after getting trained well
Process
- Finding the spots where training is required
- Formulating strategies for what to be achieved by the training and how
- Choosing an appropriate training method
- Conduct the training
- Measure and evaluate any changes in performance after training
- Repeat the process if required