Training your staff
Training methods to fit your business
Guide
An outline of some methods your business could use to help train your staff, including their advantages and disadvantages.
Training method | What it involves | Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|---|
Coaching | By talking through a problem or task with a coach / manager, employees can arrive at a solution or better method of working |
|
|
E-learning | Employees follow courses online |
|
|
Evening classes | Training through classes held in the evenings |
|
|
Workshops | A group of employees train together under the supervision of a trainer - typically involves explanation, examples, trying out the skill or method, reviewing what happens, and considering developments and alternatives |
|
|
Study leave |
Employees are given paid leave to attend courses and attain a recognised qualification |
|
|
Induction | Formal or informal way of helping a new employee to settle down quickly in the job by introducing them to people, the business, processes etc |
|
|
Job shadowing | One employee observes another employee going about their job |
|
|
Mentoring | A more senior person typically supports an executive / manager / director by providing advice, support and a forum for discussing problems |
|
|
Networking / seminars
|
Employees attend a seminar on a specific topic - this can be in-house, at an industry event or organised by a training specialist |
|
|
Distance learning | Employees train through courses devised by educational institutions (eg Open University), but are not required to attend traditional classes |
|
|
Simulation / role-playing | Typically employees in a particular department (eg sales) come together to take on roles to help work through possible scenarios (eg customer complaint)
|
|