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Training and development: Meaning and types of Training

Training and development: Employees in the office

Training

Training is a program which aims at providing employees with the new skills and knowledge. The program can be held at the workplace whereby employees are learning while continuing with their responsibilities or outside of the workplace location.


Training and development of employees are vital in any organization as they help to:

  • Increase employees performance.
  • Improve employees skills and knowledge.
  • Boost employees working morale.
  • Reach organizational goal.


There are two (2) main types of training which are on-the-job training and off-the-job training, other forms of training fall into these two types.


1. On-the-job training

On-the-job training or on job training is a training that involves learning while performing a job. An employee is acquiring new skills by learning practically and directly within the working environment usually under the guidance of a mentor or a supervisor. Some advantages of on-the-job training are employees adapt a job faster, it doesn't consume much time, it doesn't cost much money, and it helps employees to learn faster.


Examples of on-the-job training

There are various examples (methods) of on-the-job training including; 
  1. Mentoring
  2. Internship
  3. Job rotation and 
  4. Orientation.

1. Mentoring; This is when an experienced employee or a mentor provides guidance and share knowledge to the new employees at the workplace.

2. Internship; This is a program in which a trainee learns a job at workplace without being employed, a trainee may or may not be paid during internship depending with an organization.

3. Job rotation; This is an act of moving or rotating employees in different job positions within an organization for the aim of providing experience to the employees.

4. Orientation; It involves providing new employees with the information about their jobs as well as information about organization like organizational culture, mission, vision and principles.

2. Off-the-job training

Off-the-job training or off job training is a training that takes place outside or away from a workplace. In this type of training the employees or trainees are learning new working skills at a training center, it usually involves evaluation at the end of the training program to test the employees understanding about what they have learnt. The advantage of off-the-job training is there is no or reduction of distractions during the training program thus employees will be more focused on what they are learning.

Examples of off-the-job training

There are various off-the-job training methods which can be used by organizations to train their employees, some of those methods include;
  1. Lectures 
  2. Case studies
  3. Audio-visual
  4. Vestibule training
  5. Role-playing
  6. Simulations

1. Audio-visual; This is a training through medias like televisions, films and podcasts.

2. Case studies; This involves studying and analyzing problems in a particular job by observing past experiences.

3. Lectures; This is a training which is held in a class or a lecture hall. Usually, trainees are given certificates after completing a course.

4. Vestibule training; This is a training in which employees learn how to use equipments which they will use in a job.

5. Role-playing; This is a training which involves learning by performing realistic scenario or roles. It is usually used for customer service professions.

6. Simulations; Involves teaching trainees about the skills needed in the real life situation. A trainee is learning by using equipments which are arranged as in a real job.

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