Effective Training & Development Flashcards

All 16 cards in this deck

What is formal training?

Structured training, often away from the job, delivered through courses or by a qualified trainer, which may lead to a qualification.

What is informal training?

Unstructured training on the job, such as learning by watching and being shown by a more experienced colleague.

What is self-learning as a method of training?

Employees developing their own skills and knowledge independently, for example using online materials, in their own time.

What is ongoing training?

Training that continues throughout an employee's time with the business, not just when they join.

What is a performance review?

A meeting between an employee and their line manager to discuss progress, targets and development needs.

Give one reason a business uses performance reviews.

Managers discuss whether the employee has met their targets, so the employee stays focused and is more likely to be productive.

What is target setting used for in employee development?

Giving employees clear goals to work towards, so their work is focused and progress can be measured at a review.

Give one benefit to employees of being mentored.

They feel more valued, so they are happier in their jobs.
Or: they gain more skills as the mentor passes on their expertise.

What is the link between training and employee retention?

Training gives employees new skills and makes them feel valued, so they are motivated and less likely to leave.

What is retraining?

Teaching existing employees new skills to use updated machinery, software or ways of working introduced by the business.

Why does a business retrain staff when it introduces new technology?

So employees can use it effectively and efficiently, which improves productivity and overall business performance.

Give one way retraining can improve employee motivation.

It makes the job more interesting and gives employees the chance to work in different parts of the business or develop new skills.

Give one drawback to a business of training employees.

It is costly and takes employees away from their work; trained staff may then leave for a competitor.

Give one advantage to a business of informal training.

Any one of: it costs less and takes less time than sending staff on a course; employees learn practical skills by doing the real job.

Give one drawback of informal training.

Any one of: the employee may be doing the job before they have all the skills needed, causing stress and mistakes; the colleague doing the coaching may pass on bad habits.

Give one advantage to a business of formal training.

Any one of: it can lead to a recognised qualification; it can be run by experts in the subject or industry, bringing in skills the business lacks.