In their annual training survey the CIPD reports that 94% of people who had received training within the past 12 months believed that the training had helped them to do their jobs better - a positive result indicating the importance of training and development to organisational performance.

In this article, Nicky Machin reviews the findings of some recent reports on training and development and explores the role of training within organisations. Underpinning this is the DTI's warning that UK firms are not investing enough in training and development of staff for the future and that there is a widening skills gap between UK and European managers, the latter receiving more training and development opportunities.

Recent trends in training have shown:

• There has been more emphasis on learning and self managed learning (where employees are encouraged to take responsibility for their own development) as opposed to training (where a skills need is identified and practical training given to 'fill the gap').
  Effect on your organisation: Encouraging employees to take responsibility for their own learning and development should increase motivation and feeling of control. For this approach to be effective, learning must be encouraged across the company and become the norm.
  
  
• There has been an increasing trend for employees to request training opportunities for themselves, although there is a correlation between the level of education training requests
  Effect on your organisation: Receiving requests for training that meets the needs of the business and the development needs of the individual is a positive thing and shows motivation to improve performance. However as people with a lower level of qualifications are less likely to ask for training opportunities, their development needs should not be ignored.
  
  
• Employees seem to prefer 'on-the-job' training methods and active training. Only 19% of the employees in the CIPD survey stated that they felt 'classroom' style training was the best learning method for them, but this is the most common style of training for employers to provide.
  Effect on your organisation: Class room style training can of course be effective if it is properly planned, if attendees are involved in the session, e.g. through role play & discussion and opportunities to practise new skills soon after the training are provided to reinforce the learning. In any situation, review of training methods used and evaluation of training are essential aspects to successful training and development programmes, since it is money wasted if objectives are not met. (Source: CIPD 2005)

The benefits of training and development investment:

• Improve individual and organisational performance
  
• Aid recruitment and retention
  
• Career management
  
• Motivational

For further information or to find out how HR Advantage can help with the development of your staff, please call Nicky on 01494 435 310 or email nicky@hradvantage.co.uk

April 2005