Investing in the continual training and development of staff is crucial for organisations who want to ensure that their employees are armed with the latest industry knowledge, and remain confident and well motivated in their job roles. However, training events undeniably require some outlay, and this can put a strain on the budgets of smaller businesses.
Rather than cut back on important investment that could ultimately boost the productivity and profitability of the business, the best course of action is to ensure that you have a tangible return on investment (ROI) for your training event. Here are some useful tips and suggestions to ensure that you get great results and maximum value from your event.
Identify key priorities
The first step is to identify your training objectives. They should be aligned with the border aims of the business, and also tailored to address current skills and knowledge gaps in the workforce. Carry out surveys and feedback sessions to identify the current strengths and weaknesses within the company.
It is also important to look outwards at the latest developments in the industry to ensure that your staff have the right skills to keep the business competitive.
Customise your training sessions
Avoid taking a one-size-fits-all approach to designing your training sessions. Vary learning and delivery methods to include a balance between group work, presentations, and practical sessions.
When hiring a training room, consider how well it meets your requirements, in terms of space and facilities. Does it have enough space to allow for smaller group work, and is it equipped with up to date technology to facilitate hybrid participation and interactive training, for example.
Stay engaged with real-world applications
Ensure that the training is targeted towards the current skill levels and knowledge gaps of the attendees. Understand what their day-to-day involves, and use examples of how they can apply the training in real-world scenarios. This ensures that the material is not abstract, but fully resonates with the trainees at every step.
Get feedback and measure benefits
Carry out pre- and post-training assessments to gather tangible evidence of the effectiveness of the training, This helps to demonstrate the value of the training, and provides insights for future training events.
By taking this strategic approach to planning your training sessions, you will be confident that you are delivering content that is well-targeted for the audience, is engaging and effective, relevant to the real-world scenarios that employees will be working with, and has measurable outcomes.
This will put you in a stronger position to prove the value of continuous training for employees, and foster a supportive company culture that benefits from a knowledgeable and confident workforce, where people are motivated to achieve and thrive in their job roles.
