Training
This topic considers the importance of training to both the worker and the business. You should recognise that rather than generate extra costs trained workers can be a source of competitiveness through enhanced productivity and improved customer service
What is training?
Training is the action of teaching an employee a skill or type of behaviour e.g. employees working at a store can be trained to use the till system.
Different types of training
Training: Induction
Induction training is where new employees first start a job to learn key information about a business:
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Learn about procedures
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Involves meeting colleagues
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Learn systems / health and safety
This might include a tour a company video, or issuing of uniform and lanyards
Advantages
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Helps the employees to learn more about the workplace before they start
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Means employees will be more productive
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Gives the employees key information e.g. fire evacuation routes
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Reduces stress on employees
Disadvantages
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It costs money, but the employee isn’t working yet
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While new staff are being trained, they aren’t doing the job yet. This means the business is spending money on them without getting any work back at first.
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They might not understand the training
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If the induction is just a video or written material, the new employee might not understand it properly—especially if there’s too much jargon or poor explanations.
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It slows down productivity
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Training takes time. During that time, the new employee isn’t helping with the usual work, so the overall output of the business might go down.
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Sometimes the training isn’t very good
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Some induction programmes are poorly planned. They might miss out important things or be too basic, which leaves the employee confused or unprepared.
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Training: On-the-job
On-the-job training is when new employees learn while doing their actual job at the workplace.
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This can mean shadowing or demonstrating.
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Helps new workers to become more familiar with specific work methods needed for their job role.
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Helps prevent injury and improves motivation.
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If staff know what they are supposed to be doing, they will be happier.
Advantages
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The training teaches the exact skills needed for the job, like using a sewing machine in a clothes factory.
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It costs less because the employee is trained at work instead of paying for external courses.
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The employee can start using what they’ve learned straight away on the job.
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The employee sees how the training links directly to their work, so it feels more useful.
Disadvantages
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Training takes time, so the employee isn't doing their normal job while learning.
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The worker doing the training also loses time from their own job, so both become less efficient.
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If the trainer has bad habits, the new worker might copy them.
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The new worker might not understand the training properly or feel shy to ask for help.
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Poorly trained workers might make mistakes that cost money or cause accidents.
Training: Off-the-job
Off-the-job training is when employees are trained away from their usual workplace. This could be at home, in training centres, or at local colleges.
They learn through things like demonstrations, talks, and lectures. It can also include practical courses, such as learning how to use ICT or getting a forklift driving licence.
Advantages
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The environment is quieter and more focused, with fewer workplace distractions.
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It can make employees feel more motivated because the business is spending money to help them improve.
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It’s less stressful since they don’t have to learn while doing the job at the same time.
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Trainers are professionals who are trained to teach effectively.
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Employees can learn specialist skills that might not be available in the workplace.
Disadvantages
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It costs more than on-the-job training because the business pays for courses, trainers, or materials.
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Employees might not see how the training connects to their actual job.
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Employees are away from work during training, so the business loses their output for that time.
Health and Safety
The law says employers must make sure the workplace is safe for everyone. This includes keeping work areas safe, making sure people can enter and leave safely, and setting up safe ways to do tasks.
Food hygiene laws
Food businesses must make sure food is safe to eat. They must not add, remove, or change anything in the food that could harm someone's health.
These laws can be different depending on the country.
Benefits of training
Training helps employees become more efficient, which means they can work faster and make fewer mistakes. This helps the business lower its costs and improve productivity. It also helps the business attract and keep skilled workers, which reduces the time and money spent on hiring new staff.
When employees receive training, they feel valued and supported. This increases motivation and makes them more likely to work hard and stay loyal to the business.
Trained staff are more confident and provide better service, which improves the business’s reputation with customers.
Limitations
Training can be expensive for a business. If an external training agency is used, it often charges high fees.
While employees are being trained, they are not doing their normal job, which means the business loses out on productivity.
If other staff are involved in delivering the training, their work is also disrupted, which adds to the cost.
All these extra costs reduce the profit the business makes, especially if the training does not lead to quick improvements. It also takes time for new employees to become fully productive, so the benefits of training are not seen straight away.
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