An Introduction to Training and Development

 



Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

Training and development generally involve educational activities that improves a worker’s knowledge and provides motivation to enhance the job performance. These initiatives facilitate employees to learn and acquire new skill while also to gain the professional knowledge that is required to progress their careers. (What is training and development?)

To have a better understanding on training and development it is better to go back in time and view the history. This all started during the period of World War II in the United States. The need for skilled employees starting growing suddenly. It was this time the U.S labor movement was established which largely contributed to the rise of training and development. This was the time where personal computers were used to train employees. The sudden urge of skilled employees leads the pathway to training and development which has evolved throughout the years.

Training and development is about understanding where do you stand in the present and in future where will you reach with your abilities and the improvisations. This is a continuous process.

Although training and development goes hand in hand there is a significant difference between training and development. The process of imparting knowledge, skills, and competences to specific staff members or departments inside a company is called training. Training frequently concentrates on bringing staff members up to date and making sure their knowledge and skill levels reach a particular level so they can carry out their jobs efficiently. It has a significant impact on the effectiveness and performance of organizations and frequently involves an ordered and systematic approach to learning while employee development's main objective is to support people's personal and professional growth so they can contribute to their current roles and get ready for opportunities within a company in the future (The difference between training and development 2023).

The modern training is evaluated on how training addresses the needs of the business in relation to learning, behavioral change and performance improvement.

Training and Development has a very unique purpose

As per Wexley & Latham T&D involves three key attributes (Introduction to training & development):

1)      To improve an individual’s level of awareness;

2)       To increase an individual’s skill in one or more areas of expertise;

3)       3) To increase an individual’s motivation to perform his or her job well.

There are many types of training and development activities such as classroom training, online training, on-the-job training, conferences and events, coaching and mentoring and simulation and role-play. These are few examples.

Enhancing employee skills, knowledge, and talents requires training and development. A successful training and development program must have the following components: needs analysis, goal-setting, practical method selection, interactive design, success measurement, and ongoing improvement.

References

What is training and development? (no date) IBM. Available at: https://www.ibm.com/topics/training-development (Accessed: 01 April 2024).

(No date) Workhuman.com. Available at: https://www.workhuman.com/blog/training-and-development-in-hrm/ (Accessed: 01 April 2024).

Team, M.S. (2023) Training and development - definition, importance, process & example: HRM overview, MBA Skool. Available at: https://www.mbaskool.com/business-concepts/human-resources-hr-terms/8685-training-and-development.html (Accessed: 01 April 2024).

(No date b) Introduction to training & development. Available at: https://www.advisory21.com.mt/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Lecture-12-Introduction-to-Training-Learning-Development-1.pdf (Accessed: 01 April 2024).

The difference between training and development (2023) Seismic. Available at: https://seismic.com/enablement-explainers/the-difference-between-training-and-development/#:~:text=At%20the%20most%20basic%20level,grow%20into%20future%20roles%20and (Accessed: 01 April 2024).

Young, N. (2024) What is training and development? - teachfloor, RSS. Available at: https://www.teachfloor.com/elearning-glossary/what-is-training-and-development (Accessed: 01 April 2024).

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Comments

  1. This is a great Blog... Yes .. Training and development are educational activities that improve a worker's knowledge and motivation, enhancing job performance. They began during World War II in the United States, with the need for skilled employees growing besides The U.S labor movement and personal computers played a significant role in the rise of training and development. Training focuses on imparting knowledge, skills, and competences to specific staff members or departments, while employee development supports personal and professional growth. Both processes are continuous and impact organizational effectiveness and performance.

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    1. Thank you for the insightful comment.I'm glad you found the article comprehensive and informative.

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  2. Training and Development - Also it enables individuals to acquire new skills, and cultivate the professional expertise necessary for career advancement.

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    1. Thank you for the comment. Training and development is very much needed for career advancement, adding on that point employees who do not resist to training and development learn more than their job and have opportunities for lateral growth as well.

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  3. Absolutely agree! Training and development play a crucial role in enhancing employee skills, knowledge, and motivation, ultimately leading to improved job performance and organizational success. It's fascinating to see how these initiatives have evolved over time and continue to adapt to meet the changing needs of the workforce. The emphasis on needs analysis, goal-setting, interactive design, and ongoing improvement highlights the importance of a strategic and comprehensive approach to training and development.

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    1. Thank you for the insightful comment. Training and development programs need to be strategic to yield benefits for the organization. Your insights about the importance strategic and comprehensive approach to training and development is appreciable.

      Delete
  4. Thenukshan, you have written a good article on training and development (T&D) for organizations by emphasizing their historical evolution, purpose, and key attributes. I think it could benefit with some more critical examination of the potential challenges and limitations that may arise from these concept. For instance, I do not see the issue of employee resistance to T&D initiatives addressed, or the difficulty in measuring the effectiveness of these training programs. But for an introduction to T&D, it is still relevant. Good job, and keep it up!

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    1. Thank you for the insightful comment. The challenges and the limitations have been elaborated in the other articles in the blog. I'm glad you found the article comprehensive and informative.

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  5. (Franklin ,B.1750) believed that education was not just about acquiring knowledge but also about developing practical skills and moral character. He devised a self-improvement plan called the "Junto" which involved forming a club for mutual improvement. The members would meet weekly to discuss philosophy, morals, and current events.

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    1. Thank you for the comment. Your insights about "Junto" is truly impressive and valuable.

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  6. Great article Thenukshan! your article on training and development is insightful and informative. It covers the history, purpose, and key attributes of T&D comprehensively, offering valuable insights into its importance in the workplace. However, breaking down some longer paragraphs could enhance readability and engagement for readers.

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    1. Thank you for the comment. Will definitely take the note and ensure the paragraphs readability and engagement of readers is improved in the upcoming writings. I'm glad you found the article comprehensive and informative.

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  7. Interactive design fosters active participation, enabling learners to apply new knowledge in real-world scenarios. Success measurement allows for objective evaluation of outcomes, providing valuable insights into program effectiveness. Finally, ongoing improvement ensures that the program remains dynamic and responsive to evolving organizational needs and industry trends.

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    1. Thank you for the comment. Your insights about measuring the success of the training and development programs and improving them based on the responses is truly valuable.

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  8. Training and development contribute significantly to organizational success by improving employee performance, fostering innovation, enhancing employee engagement, and ensuring adaptability in a dynamic business environment.

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    1. Thank you for the comment. In the modern world training and development is a crucial element for any organization to succeed.

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  9. Training and development are vital components of organizational growth, aimed at improving employee knowledge, skills, and motivation. Originating from the labor movement during World War II, these initiatives have evolved over time, now focusing on aligning with business needs and fostering personal and professional growth. While training focuses on skill enhancement for current roles, development aims at preparing employees for future opportunities. Modern training is assessed based on its effectiveness in addressing business needs, facilitating behavioral change, and enhancing performance. Various methods such as classroom training, online modules, and coaching sessions contribute to this process. Ultimately, a successful training and development program requires careful analysis, goal-setting, interactive design, and ongoing evaluation.

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    1. Thank you for the comment. The training and development programs need to always match with the organizational goal as mentioned to succeed in the industry.

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  10. Here explains training and development in a straightforward way. Starting with the Benjamin Franklin quote was a nice touch. You made it easy to understand the difference between training and development, which is helpful. Listing different types of training activities, like classroom sessions, was a good idea. Your tips for a successful program, like analyzing needs, were practical. Adding references was smart. Overall, you did a great job of breaking down training and development. Well done!






    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment. I'm glad you found the article comprehensive and informative.

      Delete
  11. This article offers a detailed overview of training and development, highlighting its evolution and significance in improving employee performance and career growth. The article distinguishes between training and development, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and skill enhancement. The quote by Benjamin Franklin succinctly captures the essence of effective learning: "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." This philosophy aligns well with the principles of modern training and development methodologies. This is a good read !!

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    1. Thank you for the insightful comment. Training and development programs need be formulated in a very engaging manner so that the employees engage and get the maximum out of the program. Also the programs need to be designed by understanding the learning style of the employees.

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  12. Good article. Training is a short-term reactive process meant for operatives and process while development is designed continuous pro-active process meant for executives. In training employees' aim is to develop additional skills and in development, it is to develop a total personality.

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    1. Thank you for the comment. Training and development are two concepts which go hand in hand and for an organization to succeed both needs to be focused equally.

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  13. Appreciate your excellent updates of this HR function and Exciting Majestic thoughts,

    Actively tries to think creatively Consistently comes up with new updates of one of the HR functions, Thinks “outside the box” to come up with different ideas and Recognizes different points of view,

    Good article

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    1. Thank you for the comment. Organization should always think outside the box as mentioned to create training and development programs which will be effective as well engage the employees.

      Delete
  14. This is a well-written overview of training and development (T&D)! You've effectively covered the basics, including the definition, historical context, and key differences between training and development.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment. I'm glad you found the article comprehensive and informative.

      Delete

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