Article 1. Importance of Training and Development for Employees



Introduction

Employee training and development programs are essential to the success of businesses worldwide. Not only do these programs offer opportunities for staff to improve their skills, but also for employers to enhance employee productivity and improve company culture.

Training and development refer to the obtaining or transferring knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) process needed to carry out a specific activity or functions; so, the benefits of training and development both for organization and individual are strategic in nature and hence much wider. To meet the current and future challenges of organizations’, training and development assume a wide range of learning actions, ranging from training of the individual for their present tasks and moreover, knowledge sharing to improve the organization horizon and customers service. Which focus on their career development and enrichment, thus expanding individual, group and organizational effectiveness (Niazi, 2011). 

It’s no surprise that employees who get regular opportunities to learn, develop, and advance are more likely to stay with a company. Bob Nelson, author of 1,001 Ways to Engage Employees, reports that learning and development are among the top factors in employee engagement.

Employee development is the continuous effort to strengthen work performance through approaches like coaching, training sessions, and leadership mentoring. Training is a specific event that teaches new information or skills, often provided to new or newly promoted employees. Both are key functions of corporate human resources staff, who typically are responsible for planning and implementing these efforts.



Importance of  training and development

Training is important for employees in an organization because most of the below objectives will be achieved after delivering training. 

Deliver essential knowledge: Training is one of the most effective ways to equip employees with the knowledge they need to be successful. This includes company and role-specific training. 

Equip and improve skills: Skill development is an important aspect of every training program because new employees need to learn technical and soft skills. Additionally, seasoned employees need ongoing training in order to improve and keep their skills up-to-par over time. 

Meet compliance standards: When the organization is part of a highly regulated industry such as financial services, asset management, or healthcare, the employees must complete mandatory compliance training. This ensures that employees understand the laws, policies, and regulations they must adhere to.

Navigating digital transformation: Digital transformation has driven fundamental changes across nearly every industry. It’s important to provide technological training for employees so they understand how new tools work and how they help them do their jobs better. This can unlock greater levels of efficiency, agility, and value for the organization.  

Keep teams up-to-speed with changes and updates: Organizations grow and evolve over time, and the employees need a way to keep up with these changes. Ongoing training ensures that everyone is in the know about new products, services, best practices, and more.


Benefits of offering  training and development programs

There are several benefits that employee training and development programs offer to individuals and organizations, according to Jehanzeb and Bashir (2013):

Individual Benefits: Training and development programs help individuals in learning the soft, functional, and technical skills necessary to perform their jobs. Employees achieve higher level of job satisfaction, because they feel they are investing in their own future. They feel that their role within the organization has a real purpose. Since the individuals’ loyalty tends to increase substantially, they invest more of their time and effort in achieving the bottom line for the organization. Individuals tend to proactively seek opportunities to acquire innovative skills, to experience diverse roles and responsibilities, and to look for additional personal and professional development. Such tendencies increase their confidence, self-esteem, and job gratification. Training and development enhances the overall performance of individuals.

Organizational Benefits: Training and development programs assist organizations in staying competitive in the marketplace. As a result, training and development programs help organizations in retaining their talent, differentiating themselves against other organizations, improving their appearance as best employer in the job market, and increasing the overall organizational effectiveness. Every organization is responsible for improving employees’ performance by implementing relevant and effective training and development programs.


Conclusion

Since employees are the most important resources of an organization, it is crucial to sustain such a notion. Organization must optimize the contribution of its employees by ensuring a suitable source of staff that is functionally, technically, and socially capable of growing into specialized or managerial roles (Nassazi, 2013).

Overall, organizations that proactively implement employee training and development programs receive positive results from the individuals that use the programs (Jehanzeb & Bashir, 2013).


References

Training & Coaching; The importance of training, available at
https://seismic.com/enablement-explainers/the-importance-of-training/
Accessed on 15th August 2023

Milhem W. and Abushamsieh K., 2014, Training Strategies, Theories and Types, Vol 21 no. 1, pp 12-26, [online] available at Journal of Accounting – Business & Management (researcgate.net) 
Accessed on 15th August 2023


Comments

  1. I agreed. The provided article underscores the significance of employees as the central assets of an organization and stresses the need to maintain this perspective.
    According to Memon (2018) organizations should ensure they have a workforce that possesses functional, technical, and social capabilities to evolve into specialized or managerial positions.

    The statement also highlights the benefits of proactive employee training and development programs. It suggests that organizations that implement such programs tend to observe positive outcomes from the individuals who participate. This aligns with the notion that investing in employees' growth and skill enhancement leads to improved overall performance and productivity.
    Well done!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Agreed. In essence, training and development create a positive cycle of growth: employees acquire new skills, which contributes to organizational success, leading to a more motivated workforce that's eager to learn even more. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved. As we move forward in a world that demands continuous learning and upskilling, organizations that prioritize training and development are the ones that will not only survive but thrive. It's an investment that pays dividends in terms of employee satisfaction, innovation, and overall business excellence. Interesting read. well done Lakmal.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with the facts provided in the article.
    Training and development for employees are of paramount importance as they equip individuals with the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to excel in their roles and contribute effectively to the organization. Through targeted training initiatives, employees can enhance their job performance, adapt to evolving industry trends, and embrace technological advancements. Moreover, training fosters employee engagement and job satisfaction by signalling that the organization invests in its growth. It bolsters employees' confidence, empowers career advancement, and cultivates a culture of continuous learning. In turn, organisations benefit from a skilled workforce, increased productivity, lower turnover rates, and a competitive edge in a rapidly changing business landscape (Rodriguez, J. and Walters, K., 2017).

    ReplyDelete
  4. You've presented a thorough overview of the importance of training and development in organizations, covering both its objectives and benefits. Your explanation is clear and well-structured, highlighting key points for why training is crucial for employees and organizations.

    It's evident that you've provided a comprehensive analysis, showing your understanding of the subject matter. Your ability to break down complex concepts and present them in a simple and organized manner is commendable. Keep up the excellent work in explaining these essential concepts!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Agreed.Training and development plays a vital role in organizational success.numerous benefits for both individuals and organizations. For individuals, such programs lead to increased job satisfaction, confidence, and professional growth, fostering loyalty and a sense of purpose within the organization. For organizations, training and development efforts enhance competitiveness, talent retention, and overall effectiveness.I believe an organization should initially do an assessment to identify employee's skill levels and provide required trainings effectively.

    With skills-based training, employers can determine which skills are needed for each role in the organization, where employees currently stand with regard to those skills, and how to equip them with the skills needed to move into their next role.(Big Think, 2023)

    What are your views?

    ReplyDelete
  6. This blog post explores the crucial role of employee training and development programs in organizations. It highlights how these programs not only provide essential knowledge and skills but also enhance job satisfaction and loyalty. The distinction between training and development is clarified, emphasizing their respective contributions to employee growth and performance improvement. Moreover, the post underscores the importance of compliance training and adaptation to digital transformations. It concludes by emphasizing that organizations must optimize their employees' capabilities to thrive and stay competitive in the market. In summary, the blog underscores the significant impact of employee training and development on both individuals and organizations.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Training and development essentially start a positive growth cycle in which workers gain new abilities, the business succeeds, and the workforce becomes more enthused and willing to learn more. For everyone concerned, it's a win-win situation. Organizations that put a priority on training and development will not only survive, but also prosper as we move forward in a world that necessitates continuous learning and upskilling. Regarding employee satisfaction, creativity, and general business excellence, it is an investment that pays off.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your blog post eloquently underscores the pivotal role that employee training and development programs play in the success of businesses. It's not only about improving individual skills but also about enhancing overall employee productivity and fostering a positive company culture.

    The distinction between training and development is well-articulated. Training imparts new knowledge and skills, often to newcomers, while development is an ongoing process that strengthens performance through coaching, mentoring, and continuous learning.

    Indeed, the investment in employee development is closely linked to higher engagement and employee retention rates, as emphasized by Bob Nelson's insights. Your post provides a comprehensive view of the strategic importance of these programs, benefiting both individuals and organizations. Well said!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Programs for training and development are crucial for the expansion and competitiveness of organizations. In addition to improving staff capabilities, they also help with employer branding, talent retention, distinctiveness, and overall organizational success. Both the company and the personnel benefit from it, as it keeps the latter successful and competitive in the market while also assisting individuals in advancing in their professions.

    ReplyDelete

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