Employee training is about helping your employees learn and develop their skills so that they can become more effective at what they do. Many businesses invest in employee training because it can increase staff motivation, improve productivity and the quality of work. It also reduces turnover rates by ensuring that you have a well-trained workforce to choose from when an opportunity arises, thus reducing the need for costly recruitment campaigns.
However, not all companies are able to afford to offer such expensive courses or other forms of professional development (PD). But, Ignoring the training and development of your employees can lead to decreased productivity, higher turnover rates, and a negative impact on morale. So how can you offer PD without breaking the bank?
This article will look at some ways in which you can provide effective, affordable employee training.
First things first, if you're going to offer PD, then you'll need to know exactly what it is that your employees want and need.
What do employees really want from their jobs and workplaces? What are the factors that motivate them to stay with you rather than move elsewhere? The answers may be surprising; here's what some of our team had to say:
"I don't think it's about money, but I'd like to see bonuses available for good performances." – A member of our web design team.
"I would like my employer to give me training so I could progress within the company and maybe one day become a manager myself." – Another member of our web design team.
There are two main reasons why you should involve your employees in the decision making process of PD opportunities. Firstly, it shows that you care about their needs and wants; secondly, it allows them to take ownership of the learning experience. This leads to greater engagement and a much better chance of success.
Now that you've identified what your employees want, you can start thinking about the kind of training and development that they might find useful. Here are some ideas to help get the ball rolling:
1/ On-the-job training
This type of training involves providing your employees with practical experience through the provision of additional resources and support. For example, you could assign a project to a particular individual and allow them to complete it with minimal oversight. By doing this, you are giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their competence and expertise while improving the efficiency of your business as a result.
In fact, some studies have shown that organizations that use on-the-job training methods tend to outperform those that rely on formal classroom-based instruction. It is also worth noting that many employees feel more motivated when they are given the freedom to pursue their own ideas, rather than being told exactly what they should learn.
2/ Online training
One of the most popular forms of online learning is eLearning, in which participants study a range of topics via digital media.
While there are many benefits to using eLearning, not every organization has the budget to provide its employees with access to such programs. In cases like this, it may be worthwhile looking into some cheaper options or even developing your own internal training materials.
3/ Free Open Source Content
Open source content is free to download and install with the only costs being licensing fees and any required customization. You can find numerous open source software solutions for almost anything you might need, from accounting and office administration to website building and video editing. Some of these tools may require some level of technical knowledge or skill, but many are extremely user friendly.
4/ Videos
The internet provides a wealth of information at your fingertips, and one excellent way to tap into that resource is through educational videos. These can come in several varieties, including those that teach people how to do a specific task or those that cover broader concepts. Whatever the format, videos are particularly valuable as they offer an easy and convenient way for your employees to learn new skills.
5/ Webinars
Another useful option for online learning is webinars. In essence, they are seminars conducted over the internet using webcams, microphones, and other similar technologies. Webinars can be quite expensive, but you may be able to find some more reasonably priced providers who specialise in this sort of training.
6/ Training and Development Seminars
These events are often held by industry associations, universities, and other organizations, and they aim to provide relevant information and knowledge to attendees. They tend to be very short and informal, lasting anywhere between half a day and a whole weekend.
7/ Conferences
Unlike trade shows and exhibitions, conferences focus on specific topics that relate to your industry and the wider world. Conferences are usually held once or twice a year and feature talks, workshops, and networking opportunities, among other features.
8/ Workshops
Workshops are events that take place either offline or online. Their purpose is to facilitate discussion, sharing of ideas, and problem solving between individuals who have a shared interest in a particular topic, product, or area of expertise.
9/ Lunch and Learn Events
Many employers provide their employees with access to lunchtime learning sessions, where they can attend lectures or seminars on a variety of topics. Such events are great for keeping your employees up to date with current trends and developments, but they are also a good idea if you want to show them that you value their time and effort.
10/ Team Building Activities
There are many different types of activities that you can organize for your team. Team building exercises are designed to build trust and communication between members of the same group, which, in turn, improves their performance and productivity.
In addition to the above, there are also many other ways to offer PD opportunities within your organization. For instance, you could organize a mentorship program whereby you pair an experienced employee with a less experienced colleague. Or you could create a committee made up of employees from across the business, each of whom has a particular role to play.
If you decide to organize your own PD opportunities, you should consider the following tips:
Make sure that you have enough time to plan and implement the training before it begins.
Choose the right venue for the event and ensure that it is suitable, comfortable, and conducive to learning.
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