Training A2 Module Heathcote Ch. 49

The need for training  Employees need training to give them the skills, attitude and knowledge required to do their jobs safely and well. This is true at all levels.  New employees often need training before they can be reasonably effective within a company.  Existing employees require retraining because companies and jobs are constantly changing.

The need for training 2  Well-trained employees are likely to be better motivated and have a better chance of promotion  Training can lead to increased sales, a better service to customers, better quality products, good safety records, and lower staff turnover.

Training in the use of IT1  Trained Senior Managers will perform better when: Establishing a corporate information systems strategy Appraising advice from ICT professionals Allocating resources to information systems

Training in the use of IT2  Middle Managers will be responsible for: Ensuring that systems are correctly used The provision of accurate, timely and useful information The organisation’s computer security policy They will need training in: How to define information requirements How to integrate systems How to realise the potential of the new system The use of generic application software  The training will be ‘skills-based’

Training for Users  Different training for different levels of user  Training will task-based, as individual users will not usually be required to use all aspects of the system  For example: A clerical work may need to know how to load a spreadsheet package, enter some figures and print a report Sales staff will need to know how to check credit and enter sales details in a database

Methods of training  These include: Computer-based training; Watching a video training course; Interactive video training; On-line tutorials supplied with the software; Step-through guides; Formal, instructor-led training courses.

Computer-based training  Computer-based training has several benefits: For an employer, a major benefit is cost. Training courses can easily cost £500 per day per employee, with accommodation extra. Staff can do the training at times which fit in, causing the least disruption, at a training room or at their desk. Employees can study at their own pace and repeat sections which are difficult. Training is standardised whereas instructor-led training varies with the trainer and the training centre; however it cannot guarantee that all employees will gain the same benefit.

Instructor-led courses  Computer-assisted learning ‘too impersonal’  Learning is essentially a communal activity  Peer collaboration in learning can help to develop general problem-solving skills  Individuals often have a valuable store of personal knowledge to share with a group  Many jobs involve working together in teams and rely on successful collaboration with colleagues

Skills Updating  Training should be ongoing to update skills and refresh existing skills  Initial training for rudiments These must be practised before new information can be assimilated  Not all procedures need to be addressed immediately, or taught to everyone For example, year-end procedures  As they become proficient, managers may wish to develop their skills and use more advanced features  Promoted employees may need access to training