Effective training and development

Question 1

Types of training (2)

Answer 1

1. Formal
2. Informal

Question 2

Different ways of trainings and development (5)

Answer 2

1. Self - learning
2. Performance reviews and target setting
3. Formal training
4. Informal training
5. Ongoing training

Question 3

Types of formal training (6)

Answer 3

1. Online training and webinars
2. Workshops
3. Conferences
4. Professional qualification at a college
5. Presentations
6. Professional exams or tests

Question 4

Formal training advantages (5)

Answer 4

1. A wider range of skills or qualifications can be obtained
2. Can learn from outside specialists or experts
3. Employees can be more confident in their work
4. No interruptions will occur when training takes place
5. Improves worker motivation and potentially productivity/staff retention

Question 5

Formal training disadvantages (3)

Answer 5

1. External training courses can be expensive to attend/there may be additional costs incurred with travel and accommodation
2. Lost working time and potential output from employee
3. Employees now have new skills/qualifications and may leave for better jobs

Question 6

Informal training: (2)

Answer 6

1. Employees receive training whilst remaining in the workplace.
2. Informal training is often based on observation, being “shown how to do a particular job” by a colleague who already does the same job. It can also be provided through computer programs.

Question 7

Informal training methods (4)

Answer 7

1. Talking to colleagues
2. Observing colleagues
3. Talking to other employees in a business
4. Reading studies

Question 8

Informal training benefits (4)

Answer 8

1. Cost effective, as the staff member stays in the business to complete the training
2. Employees are often productive
3. Opportunity to learn whilst doing
4. Training alongside real colleagues, gaining first- hand experience

Question 9

Informal training drawbacks (4)

Answer 9

1. Quality depends on ability of trainer and time available
2. Bad habits might be passed on
3. Learning environment may not be conducive to the best training
4. Potential disruption to production and quality standards

Question 10

Self - learning (7)

Answer 10

1. Training can take place independently in the workplace
2. Training opportunities online
3. Suits certain types of training, such as health and safety training
4. Online tests can assess knowledge
5. Cheaper for the business
6. Not suitable for all employees or all types of jobs
7. Reliant on the motivation of the employee carrying out the training independently

Question 11

E - learning -

Answer 11

• online learning; convenient time in a cost effective way.

Question 12

Ongoing training (4)

Answer 12

1. As the pace of change is so rapid, businesses generally have a culture of ongoing training
2. Training provided to employees throughout their career
3. Based on the needs of the individual and business
4. Choice of training may be management or employee driven, often discussed as part of an appraisal or performance review

Question 13

Performance reviews (5)

Answer 13

1. Involves meeting between the employee and his/her line manager to discuss the employee’s performance over the last year.
2. Linked to target setting and an annual review process.
3. Based on this review, targets are set for the future and training is then organised.
4. This may be in the form of remedial or refresher training where poor performance has been identified.
5. Better performance may lead to development training, so that the employee will be able to take on new or more senior roles within the business in the future.

Question 14

Factors affecting the choice of training (5)

Answer 14

1. Type of job
2. Firm’s budget
3. Time available
4. Business resources to deliver in-house
5. Employee needs and objectives of the business

Question 15

Benefits of training (7)

Answer 15

1. Higher quality work
2. Increased motivation
3. Better levels of customer service
4. Increased productivity
5. Less supervision required
6. Easier to recruit and retain employees
7. Better able to adapt to changes in technology

Question 16

Reasons why businesses train and develop (4)

Answer 16

1. To enable employees to do their job well
2. To show employees that the business values them
3. To ensure that employees are up-to-date with the industry
4. To identify any gaps in ways roles are being performed