Methods of training

TRAINING

In simple words it can be defined as

equipping employees with required
knowledge and skills for the job.

WHY TRAINING?
Dynamic Business Environment

Technological Advances

Advantages of Training
Increased Productivity
Reduced Accidents
Reduced Supervision
Heightened Morale

TYPES OF TRAINING
On the job training

Off the job training

On the Job Training

It refers to new or inexperienced employees
learning through observing peers or managers
performing the job and trying to imitate their
behavior.

Methods of on the Job Training

COACHING
MENTORING
JOB ROTATION
JOB INSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE

COACHING
It is one to one interaction
Considered as corrective measure for inadequate
performance.
Helps in identifying weaknesses and focuses on areas
which needs improvement.

MENTORING
Mentoring focus on attitude development.
Conducted for management-level employees
Mentoring is done by someone inside the company
It is one-to-one interaction
It helps in identifying weaknesses and focus on the area that
needs improvement

Advantages of On-the job

Methods

Generally more cost effective

Less disruptive to the business - i.e. employees are not away

from work
Training with equipment they are familiar with and people
they know can help them
Gain direct experience to a standard approved by the
employer
On the job training is also productive, as the employee is
still working as they are learning

Off-the-Job Training Method

Trainee is separated from the job environment
Take place at training agency or local college, training centres
Study materials
Fully concentrate on learning rather than
performing
Freedom of expression

Types of Off the Job methods

Vestibule Training
Management Games
Role Playing
Films
Lecture Methods
Outbound Training

Vestibule Training
Actual work conditions are simulated
Materials, files and equipments are used
Duration ranges from few days to a few weeks
Theory can be related to practice here

Advantages

Training becomes more reality-based.

Directly applies to jobs.

Increases the chances of retention.

Prevents trainees from making costly mistakesor damaging equipment.

Allows instructors to give morepersonalized attention to the learners.

Disadvantages
Time Consuming
Expensive
Trainer has to be very skilled
There has to be elaborate setups for the same

Management Games
To improve decision making and analytical skills.
To develop awareness of the need to make decisions lacking complete
information.
To develop an understanding of the interrelationships
To develop the ability to function cooperatively and effectively in a
small group situation.

Types of management Games

Executive Gamesare general management games and cover all functional areas {like
planning, decision making, etc} of business and their interactions and dynamics.
Executive games are designed to train general executives.

Functional Games, on the other hand, focus on middle management decisions and
emphasize particular functional areas {like Marketing or HR} of the firm.

ROLE PLAYING

Is the method of human interaction that involves

realistic behavior in imaginary situations.

Benefits of Role playing

Developing interpersonal skills and communication skills
Conflict resolution
Group decision making
Developing insight into ones own behavior and its impact on others

Types of Role play

Multiple role play
Single role play
Role rotation
Spontaneous role play

Films/Video Presentations
Content for the training experience comes primarily from a videotape
or computer-based program.
Interest of the audience can be maintained by showing them audio
visuals
Easy to handle and explain
Provides a lot of content to talk about

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages
Easy to train and the trainer can follow up with questions and discussions
Assured to provide same information to all the trainees

Disadvantages
Expensive to develop
Such type of training has to be outsourced which may make the training less content
specific.

Outbound Training
Outdoor and action-oriented programs through experiential learning
Develops Leadership, teamwork and risk-taking abilities
Interesting as compared to classroom leaning
Conducted by professionals who are very cooperative

Advantages
Trainees can immediately see the consequences of wrong actions

Materialistically enhance their thinking and behavior

Disadvantages
Work time has to be allotted for it.

Interest of the participants is required.

Lecture Method
Lecture is traditional & direct method of instruction.
It is a verbal presentation of information by an instructor to a
large audience.
The lecture must motivate & create interest among the trainees in
order to become effective
It is presumed to posses a considerable depth of knowledge of
subject at hand.
This method is used mainly in college and universities

Advantages
Less time required for preparation
Provides lots of information quickly
Cost per trainee is very low

Disadvantages
Does not involve trainees too much.
Trainees may forget the teaching as it is presented
only orally.

Few Other Methods

In-Basket Exercise
Also known as In-tray method of training.
The trainee is presented with a pack of papers & files in a tray
containing administrative problems & is asked to take decisions on these
problems & are asked to take decisions on these within a stipulated time.
The decisions taken by the trainees are compared with one another. The
trainees are provided feedback on their performance.

Cont.
Experiential Exercises
Usually short, structured learning experiences where
individuals learn by doing.
For instance, rather than talking about inter-personal
conflicts & how to deal with them,
an experiential exercise could be used to create a
conflict situation where employees have to experience a
conflict personally & work out its solutions.

Cont.
Cases
Present an in depth description of a particular problem an employee might
encounter on the job.
The employee attempts to find and analyze the problem, evaluate
alternative courses of action & decide what course of action would be most
satisfactory.

Advantages of Off-the job

Methods
Learn from specialists in that area of work who can provide more indepth study
Can more easily deal with groups of workers at the same time
Employees respond better when taken away from pressures of working
environment
Workers may be able to obtain qualifications or certificates

Disadvantages of Off-the job

Methods
The trainer should have specialised skills and knowledge to train
The trainer may not be given much time to spend with the employee
to teach them properly
The trainer may posses bad habits and pass these on to the trainee