The importance of Training and Development in HRM

Definition: Training and Development

Training and Development is a subsystem of an organization which emphasize on the improvement of the performance of individuals and groups. Training is an educational process which involves the sharpening of skills, concepts, changing of attitude and gaining more knowledge to enhance the performance of the employees. Good & efficient training of employees helps in their skills & knowledge development, which eventually helps a company improve.

Training is about knowing where you are in the present and after some time where will you reach with your abilities. By training, people can learn new information, new methodology and refresh their existing knowledge and skills. Due to this there is much improvement and adds up the effectiveness at work. The motive behind giving the training is to create an impact that lasts beyond the end time of the training itself and employee gets updated with the new phenomenon. Training can be offered as skill development for individuals and groups.

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).

Relation between Training and Development

There is a relation between training and development, and there is clear difference between the two based on goals to be achieved. Development is made to answer the training problems:

TRAINING	DEVELOPMENT
Training is meant for operatives	Development is meant for executives
It is reactive process	It is pro- active process
AIM: To develop additional skills	AIM: To develop the total personality
It is short term process	It is continuous process
OBJECTIVE: To meet the present need of an employee	OBJECTIVE: To meet the future need of an employee
Initiative is taken by the management	Initiative is taken by an individual.

Importance of Training and Development

For companies to keep improving, it is important for organizations to have continuous training and development programs for their employees. Competition and the business environment keeps changing, and hence it is critical to keep learning and pick up new skills. The importance of training and development is as follows:

• Optimum utilization of Human resources

• Development of skills

• To increase the productivity

• To provide the zeal of team spirit

• For improvement of organization culture

• To improve quality, safety

• To increase profitability

• Improve the morale and corporate image

Need for Training and Development

Training and development of employees is a costly activity as it requires a lot quality inputs from trainers as well as employees. But it is essential that the company revises its goals and efficiencies with the changing environment. Here are a few critical reasons why the company endorses training and development sessions.

• When management thinks that there is a need to improve the performances of employees

• To set up the benchmark of improvement so far in the performance improvement effort

• To train about the specific job responsibility

• To test the new methodology for increasing the productivity

Advantages of training and development

Training and development has a cost attached to it. However, since it is beneficial for companies in the long run, they ensure employees are trained regularly. Some advantages are:

1. Helps employees develop new skills and increases their knowledge.

2. Improves efficiency and productivity of the individuals as well as the teams.

3. Proper training and development can remove bottle-necks in operations.

4. New & improved job positions can be created to make the organization leaner.

5. Keeps employees motivated and refreshes their goals, ambitions and contribution levels.

Disadvantages of training and development

Even though there are several advantages, some drawbacks of training and development are mentioned below:

1. It is an expensive process which includes arranging the correct trainers and engaging employees for non-revenue activities.

2. There is a risk that after the training and development session, the employee can quit the job.

Training and Development Process

Training and development is a continuous process as the skills, knowledge and quality of work needs constant improvement. Since businesses are changing rapidly, it is critical that companies focus on training their employees after constantly monitoring them & developing their overall personality.

Steps for training and development processes are:

1. Determine the need of training and development for individuals or teams

2. Establish specific objectives & goals which need to be achieved

3. Select the methods of training

4. Conduct and implement the programs for employees

5. Evaluate the output and performance post the training and development sessions.

6. Keep monitoring and evaluating the performances and again see if more training is required.

Hence, this concludes the definition of Training and Development along with its overview.

References

• McCrie.R.,2016.Security Operations Management(Third Edition),Pages 113-143

• Susan.L Murray,Matthew S.Thimgan.,2016.Human Fatigue Risk Management,Pages 193-204

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0eCYWbjbyU