The short answer is very. No matter what department you're based in, whether it's sales, finance, marketing or human resources, there are numerous benefits to ongoing training and development.
Employers can sometimes be difficult when it comes to investing in training. They can view it as costly, both in terms of time and money. Time at training is time away from the workplace, completing projects and ongoing tasks. These are small drawbacks; and the benefits below definitely outweigh them:
1. Happier Employees
One of the biggest benefits of ongoing training at work is that employees will be happier as a result. They will feel as if their employers really care about their development and this in turn will boost the general morale of the workplace. Learning new skills and gaining new experiences will motivate employees, improve engagement and increase their job satisfaction. Happier, more engaged employees are 87% less likely to leave an organisation than those that feel disengaged.
2. Realising Weaknesses and Fixing Them
By completing training sessions employers can be made aware of any weaknesses within the organisation. No employee is perfect and some will be weaker than others in certain areas. Continuous training firstly addresses the weaknesses then improves upon them so that every employee in the same job role is at the same level. Having a knowledgeable team that can cover for each other during periods of illness or annual leave reduces a build-up of work and improves productivity.
3. New Systems and Technologies
If employers wish to implement new systems or technology within the workplace they need to invest in the training to go alongside it. This training doesn't have to be classroom based, a lot of systems training is now carried out through eLearning which means learning anywhere, anytime by anyone. Training is important so that a smooth transition is made from one system to the next. Whilst one employee may understand the technology quicker than another it is important that training is implemented properly and time isn't lost on employees being confused and unproductive.
4. Increase Productivity
Continuous training and development teaches employees new skills and provides them with different experiences which in turn can boost the organisations productivity. Learning new ways to approach their workload makes employees more efficient in their roles. When training courses are aligned with business objectives this gets the highest levels of productivity out of employees.
5. Attract Talent
Having the reputation of being an organisation that invests fully in their employees is an attractive quality to job seekers. When applying for jobs many people prioritise employers that provide ongoing training and development as they want to continue growing their skillset. This can result in gaining more talented, enthusiastic and ambitious employees.
What are your thoughts on workplace training? Tweet us @OregaOffices and let us know!
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