Do you want to create a highly engaged and future proof workforce? This guide explores the importance of employee training, different methods and how you can create an effective training program for your employees.
.webp)
Running a successful organization in these times is a challenging task. As your business grows, it has to deal with a globalized marketplace, new digital technologies and ever-evolving socio-economic factors. However, one thing will always remain constant: the need for a high-performing workforce. But how would you ensure your employees are not just meeting today's needs but are prepared to thrive in the future?
The answer lies in employee training. Research shows that 83% of Gen-Z and millennials prioritize professional development opportunities. By creating an effective training program, you are not just investing in your employees' growth but also in your company's success. This guide will teach you how to design a training program for your employees that actually works and builds a future-proof workforce.
Employee training programs are activities or initiatives designed to help employees improve the knowledge, skills, and competencies related to their job performance. Organizations develop these training programs so that people can enhance their current performance and get the required skills to transition into a better position.
An effective training program can help employees develop different areas of expertise, such as product knowledge, software proficiency, technical skills, or leadership skills for various organizational job functions.
Employment training programs usually start from the onboarding process and continue with the skill development of the existing workforce. The ultimate purpose of any training process is to increase workforce competency, which leads to higher productivity and improved organizational performance.
The job market has become more competitive than ever. Digital transformations are happening at an unprecedented speed, and artificial intelligence has made them even more challenging. To sustain and move forward, employees need to bring maximum value to the table. Research shows that employees' skills have a 'half-life' of five years, with more technical skills that require advanced training after 2.5 years.
It is no surprise then that 70% of employees worry they lack the skills needed for the future. This means your workforce needs continuous training and upskilling to stay competitive and improve their performance.
Workplace training goes beyond teaching people how to do their jobs in the best way. It's about creating a sense of ownership in their development and career progress in the organization. Studies found that 50% of employees consider leaving their jobs due to a lack of training. Building a training program shows your commitment to employee growth.
It keeps your team updated with the latest industry trends, enhances their productivity and leads to higher job satisfaction. People are more likely to stay engaged and produce better results when they feel valued and invested.
There are different types of employee training methods you can choose from based on your business needs. Below, we have explored some of the key methods:
In-person training is one of the most common employee training procedures. This method brings employees together in a physical setting with instructors who facilitate learning through group sessions. These sessions can involve workshops, seminars, storytelling, or brainstorming sessions. In-person training creates a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing and skill development.
Mentoring is a convenient and cost-effective way to train employees. Think of an experienced colleague (manager or senior employee) acting as a personal guide. A survey found that 55% of people ask their colleagues for guidance, while 69% seek out their boss or mentor. These mentors provide advice, answer questions, and offer one-on-one support to new hires or less experienced workers in developing certain expertise.
Outsourced training involves partnerships with external training providers. These specialized companies offer a variety of programs that meet your specific needs. Let's suppose you need to train your sales team on the latest social selling techniques. An outsourced training team will design a customized program that helps your team with the necessary skills and strategies to succeed in this domain.
Electronic learning (E-Learning) is one of the most popular and effective training methods in employee learning. Unlike traditional classrooms, e-learning provides self-paced online courses and learning materials. Employees can learn by watching instructional videos, taking quizzes and participating in interactive activities. E-learning helps them to learn at their own pace and convenience.
E-learning is facilitated through online training platforms, offering a central location for employees to sign in and access learning libraries. This flexibility and convenience is the reason why 90% of companies are offering e-learning facilities to their employees.
Building a training program that empowers your employees' careers needs careful planning. Here is a step-by-step process for creating an effective training program.
The first step to create a successful training program is identifying your needs and setting clear goals. A training needs assessment can help you evaluate your employees' current skill sets and knowledge gaps. You can conduct this assessment regularly, quarterly or after annual performance reviews. This needs assessment can involve different methods:
By combining these methods, you can get a complete picture of your workforce's current competencies. This will help you identify specific skill gaps and decide what type of employee training program you should be implementing.
Once you are done with the initial assessment, move towards creating a training plan outline. Analyze your company's performance data and employee skill gaps to determine the best training programs. Setting clear goals and objectives will help you design an effective training program for your workforce. Here are a few examples:
As discussed above, there are different types of employee training methods. Remember, one size doesn't fit all when it comes to learning. A diverse workforce has different learning styles and needs. Some employees may thrive in in-person training, while others prefer personalized coaching. Busy managers might appreciate the flexibility of e-learning modules.
Consider a blended learning approach that combines multiple methods for maximum impact. It will cater to different learning styles, such as visual (video, infographics), auditory (lectures, podcasts), or social (group discussions, collaborations). Tailoring the training methods to your employee's preferences ensures higher engagement and better knowledge retention.
The next step in an effective training program is delivering high-quality learning materials. Just like training methods, learning materials should also cater to diverse preferences. A survey found that 70% of employees prefer learning from videos to text. Try to keep things interesting by incorporating a variety of formats in your learning materials, including:
Image Name: How Employees Want to Learn
Creating a training program from scratch can be incredibly time-consuming, especially for large-scale companies. Modern learners prefer flexibility and self-paced learning. Consider investing in a learning experience platform (LXP). These are digital learning platforms powered by artificial intelligence.
An AI-based LXP simplifies program creation by allowing you to build highly customized training modules. Consider training your training materials, like presentations and documents, into engaging video lessons. LXPs also utilize AI for assessments, enabling you to create mobile-friendly quizzes and assessments. It helps you effectively track employee progress and gauge learning outcomes.
Research shows that 56% of employees would spend more time learning if their manager suggested a course to improve their skills. Here are some engagement techniques that can increase the effectiveness of your employee learning experience:
To make sure your training program is truly impactful, consider collaborating with subject matter experts (SMEs) and industry professionals. Their real-world knowledge will make your course content more nuanced and relevant to your company's needs. Encourage your learning and development (L&D) team to work closely with SMEs to create engaging and effective training materials.
Additionally, consider creating an online library or knowledge base of industry resources for ongoing learning. This helps your workforce to take ownership of their learning.
The ultimate goal of your training program is to upskill the employees and prepare them for the future. To measure its effectiveness, you need to track and analyze the results. Here are some key metrics to consider:
Regularly measuring these metrics helps you monitor the effectiveness of your training programs. You can make adjustments to maximize its impact on your employees and business.
An upskilled workforce performs better and also drives your business success. Let's explore some key benefits of an effective training program.
Developing training plans for staff shows that you value their growth and progress. This creates a sense of engagement. Employees feel more invested in their work, perform better, and are likelier to stay with the company. They even become positive brand ambassadors and spread good words about your business.
Employee training may seem costly, but it can save you money in the long run. Well-trained employees make few errors, reducing wasted resources and potential safety incidents. This results in increased efficiency, cost savings and positive business growth.
The modern workforce is always seeking new opportunities to learn and grow. Offering consistent training and development enables you to create a culture of growth and attract top talent. A skilled workforce gives your organization a competitive edge over others. Happy and well-trained employees create a positive work environment and attract more skilled individuals through positive word of mouth.
Employee training may seem costly, but it is a worthy investment in your company's future. Providing opportunities for growth helps you create an engaged workforce that can adapt to changing demands. The key to success lies in careful planning. Take your employees on board from the beginning, utilize technologies like LXPs, and create a positive learning environment.
A well-designed training program strengthens your business and creates positive relationships for long-term success. To achieve this, choose a professional platform like Coursebox, a leading AI learning experience platform. Coursebox helps you create highly personalized and effective training programs. You can quickly convert your content into online courses.
Our AI assessment features help you track and evaluate your team's performance in real-time. You can quickly log in and get access to learning material anytime and anywhere.
