the benefits of training your staff and will give you two examples of cost effective and workable training courses, offered by High Speed Training and Impellus.

1, Firstly though, let’s look at why an Employer should offer staff training?

Investing in your staff is essential as it will not only benefit your actual employee but it will also most definitely benefit your business.  According to 1st Training Company, ‘69% of workers feel more valued by their company when they are offered training.’

At this time of year, you may not be able to afford to spend money on staff bonuses or pay increases for your staff.  Therefore, training and development for your staff can be an ideal way to further their skills and motivate them without breaking your company’s bank balance…..!

Whilst it has been found that employees feel more valued when offered training, recent research has shown that 60% of people surveyed would be less inclined to leave a job if they were offered training courses for their own development. Furthermore it has been found that training to improve employee skills makes them work harder.

A win – win solution, when you consider it in this way….?

The need to make your staff feel valued by providing them with training is of the utmost importance and this is especially true for your younger employees.  New research has shown that only 48% of those aged 16-24 feel their training needs are being met by their current employer. Without an employer’s support, the younger generation are more likely to try and invest in their own career development or leave to join a company that will.

2, So why do Employers avoid offering training to their staff?

Although training and development is clearly beneficial to employees as well as to the business, it has been found that many companies are reluctant to offer training. Research carried out by Skillsoft found that many employers were reluctant to offer training to their staff just in case the employee left the company within the next 12 months and took their knowledge to a market competitor….!

My advice would be rather than worry about losing staff after they have received training, be more constructive and positive by investing in your employees and making sure they are trained to a high standard to complete their job.  Businesses need to be aware that a workforce full of well trained and motivated staff makes a company more likely to excel in its market.  Equally if your staff feel valued, they will more likely value you back, i.e. the company, in return.

3, So, with this new thinking, how do you ensure you target your training successfully?

It is important to remember that offering the same training to every employee is not always the best way to approach the situation and may result in a significant waste of time and money. It is far better to assess each employee individually via an appraisal and identify what specific training will benefit both Them and the Company.

Also be mindful that we all have different preferences and styles for learning, so again one training programme per se may not necessarily be suitable or practicable.