15 EMPLOYEE TRAINING METHODS IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT THAT YOU COULD CHOOSE FROM

 

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In an organization, focusing on improving every aspect, from operations to the workforce, is very important.

To get the best from employees, they must receive training that will help them understand their roles and how best they can work to achieve maximum results. 

The human resource management arm of an organization ensures that employees receive training occasionally to improve their operations and services. 

Employees derive joy and stay motivated when they have the right training that makes them work effectively.

In this article, we'll be considering the 15 different employee training methods in human resource management that you could choose from.

We'll also take a close look at what an employee training method is, why it's important to choose a training method, and the pros and cons of the training methods. 

So whether you're in the human resources department or a manager and you're seeking to choose a training method for your new or old employees, this article is just right for you. 

Let's take a close look at what an employee training method is.

What is an Employee Training Method?

Employee training methods, or simply put, training methods, are routine training systems that training managers in an organization use to improve the way employees do things or carry out their duties. 

This is done to achieve maximum efficiency from the workers.

Employee training methods are set up to give trainers the option of using the best-fit method within their organization to ensure that their goals are achieved. 

In one outstanding statement made by Zig Ziglar, an American author and motivational speaker, he said, 

"The only thing worse than training employees and losing them is to not train them and keep them."

Here, Zig Ziglar placed emphasis on the importance of training employees, irrespective of the methods by which they receive the training.

Why is it Important to Choose an Employee Training Method?

Choosing the right employee training method is as important as the goal any organization hopes to achieve through their employees.

In training, employees have learning styles, preferences, and types of work that best help them improve.

Their style could be visual, auditory, or through learning from taking action. 

Here, we've identified the top 3 reasons why it's important to choose a training method:

1. Maximizing Learning Effectiveness

The primary goal of employee training is to improve job performance and enhance productivity. 

Choosing the right training method ensures that employees learn effectively and efficiently, which maximizes the chances of achieving the desired learning outcomes.

2. Saving Time and Resources

Different training methods have different costs in terms of time, effort, and resources. 

Choosing the most appropriate training method can help save these valuable resources, which can be invested in other areas of the business.

3. Meeting Employee Learning Preferences

Employees have different learning preferences, and choosing a training method that aligns with these preferences can increase engagement and motivation. 

This, in turn, can lead to better retention of the training material and better application of the skills learned on the job.

Read also: Operational excellence: what it is and how to achieve it

Components of an Employee Training Method

Human resource management is responsible for the choice of training methods used to improve employees. 

The particular training method used is based on three components. They are:

1. The Purpose of the Training

The training method to be used must align with the objectives of the training program. 

The chosen method must be able to answer the "why" and "what" of the training program.

In an organization, the HRM classifies these training programs into different categories based on objectives.

These include managerial training, soft skill training, quality training, team training, safety training, legal training, etc.

With these types of training, the HR manager knows how best to align them to fit the particular needs of the organization at that time.

2. The Intended Employee Audience

Also, when HRM sets up a training program, they must have factored in the demographic of employees they want to train, the nature of their jobs, the level of their jobs, and their availability for the training.

The HRM considers all these before a training method is chosen so as to accommodate the employees that need training.

3. Constraints

One component that informs the methods that HRM chooses are the probable limitations that could hamper the training.

Limitations or constraints such as budget, time, and other resources that may go into preparation for a training method are considered and optimized.

15 Employee Training Methods That You Could Choose From

In employee training methods, there are two basic categories from which all other methods stem.

There are on-the-job training methods and off-the-job training methods. 

These two categories are now further split into different practical methods that are chosen by human resource management to be most suited for the company's needs.

Category #1: On-the-Job Training

These refer to the different methods of training through which employees gain experience on the job.

In this type, employees get involved in real-life experiences that give them knowledge about the organization and its operations. 

By gaining practical experience on the job working with other team members, they are able to bond with each other. 

The different types of on-the-job training methods include:

1. Job Rotation

In this type of on-the-job training, employees are made to rotate their jobs, mainly from one department to another.

The main aim of doing this rotation is so that every employee gains a level of experience from the different departments.

The strengths and weaknesses of employees could also be identified from the rotation, which could best inform the HRM where and how to place those employees.

2. Coaching

During the on-the-job training method, employees may need some kind of mentorship or coaching from a senior employee or executive that will help them through the program.

Using coaches has proven over time to have a great effect on the learning process of employees.

Read also: Mentoring in Business: It's Importance and How to find one for yourself

3. Committee Assignments

This simply refers to assigning a particular project to a team of employees.

The main aim of doing this is to ensure that all team members participate fully by coming up with ideas that help them complete the project successfully. 

4. Job Instructions

In this method, employees receive step-by-step instructions from their trainer. 

This step-by-step process helps employees make significant progress in the training and also get corrections from their trainer when they make mistakes.

5. Internship Training

In internship training, the company offers the trainee both the theoretical and practical knowledge they need to be successful in their careers.

Sometimes, these companies get to absorb some of the trainees into their system to provide room for further improvement.

Pros and Cons of On-the-Job Training

Training methods in this category have similar pros and cons. Here are a few of them:

Pros:

I. It is less expensive compared to its counterpart method.

II. It offers a flexible way of training employees.

III. The training can be done without additional external arrangements.

Cons:

I. It is not properly structured and may lack a proper training environment.

II. The employees may find it difficult to learn, especially when the trainers lack training skills.

III. No clearly defined performance criteria.

Category #2: Off-the-job Training

This type refers to all kinds of methods that companies use to train their employees away from their field of work.

Although on-the-job training methods are good, they also have their limitations, which is why it's a great idea for companies to also use these methods to effectively train their employees. 

The different types of off-the-job training methods include:

1. Case Study Method

In offering training to employees using this method, they are often assigned a real company problem to understudy.

This allows the employees to brainstorm possible solutions to the problem, thereby improving their critical and analytic thinking.

2. Incident Method

In this type of training, trainers come up with different solutions to problems in the form of incidents.

The employees are then expected to make critical decisions on the best-fit solution to the problem before them.

This method helps build the decision-making abilities on real-life situation of the employees.

3. Role Play

In this method, employees are assigned different roles within the organization and are asked to accomplish a task in the capacity of the roles they are playing. This enhances their ability to solve problems.

4. In-basket Training Method

Using the in-basket training method, employees are given an imaginary company with staff and are then told to draw up a work schedule for them.

The trainer also provides the necessary information, such as products, operations, etc., about the imagined company to the employees.

This task helps employees develop situational judgments as well as quick decision-making skills.

5. Business Games

According to this method, employees are divided into groups and given an imaginary company to determine its activities and functions.

Also, they'll determine what the products of the company will be, how to promote these products, and possible pricing.

This helps employees in the cooperative decision-making process.

6. Grid Training

This method of training is a continuous process carried out in phases that span an average of six years.

Here, there are three phases: planning, implementation, and lastly, evaluation, which encompasses all training aspects.

7. Lectures

As a training method, employees are offered face-to-face lectures by their trainers.

This could be done in a conference room where employees are taught about different aspects of the company and their jobs.

8. Simulation

Trainers employ simulation, a training method where imaginary situations are created and employees are made to analyze, propose solutions, and make decisions.

9. Management Education

This method of employee training offers employees access to high-quality education as provided by institutions in their bachelor's and post-graduate programs.

10. Conferences

Usually, conferences are platforms where like-minded minds meet.

Here, employees attend conferences where they are able to mix up with professionals in their fields, ask questions, and improve their operations.

This helps them stay updated with the latest trends in their industry.

Pros and Cons of Off-the-Job Training

Here are some of the pros and cons of off-the-job training methods:

Pros:

I. The normal work operations of the company are not affected.

II. Trainers are well qualified and experienced.

III. The training program has a properly drafted and well-organized scheme.

Cons:

I. The training is artificial in nature and not directly relevant to the work.

II. It is cost-intensive to carry out.

III. There is a loss of productivity for employees and the company as a result of the work hours used for the training.

Final Thoughts

Human resource management is the major determinant of employee training methods in an organization. The best-fit method or methods that are chosen by the management are based on some components.

As a manager intending to train employees, this article has dealt with 15 employee training methods along with their pros and cons. These methods have been used globally and have been found to produce results.

With a clear understanding of what the purpose and objectives of the training are, you can make informed choices on what method is best-fit for your employees.