Training approaches

The CIPD (2015) learning and training survey, completed by learning development professionals representing all the main industries in the UK, provides a different viewpoint of current training practice compared to the previous step.

Reportedly, the uncertain economic environment has had a significant impact on the resources available for training and development initiatives. As a result, there is a growing trend for internal methods of delivery (which are cheaper than external training).

Indeed, in-house training methods remain the most common, reportedly because these are more easily tailored to specific needs. It is also anticipated that we will see growth in internal knowledge-sharing events, collaborative and social learning.

There has also been a shift to devolving the responsibility for training to line managers and learners themselves. For example, individuals may be given instructions as to what training programmes they are required to complete and how to access them. The responsibility to complete the training is then entirely left with the individual employee (overseen by their manager).

The CIPD (2015) survey also found that face-to-face training continues to play a role, but there is expected to be an increase in the use of learning technologies, especially in larger organisations. In 2015:

• 3/4 of organisations were using learning technologies
• 1/3 of organisations had increased their investment in learning technologies in the previous year
• Larger organisations were likely to include e-learning and blended learning

However, despite the growth of learning technologies, many organisations still lack knowledge and confidence on how to successfully engage staff in online training and assess impact.

Your task

Having discussed a variety of training methods, which have you had experience of as a trainee? On reflection, were the training methods chosen the optimal styles for the skill you were learning?

Reference

_{CIPD (2015) ‘Learning and Development Survey’ [online]. available from https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/strategy/development/surveys [25 July 2019]}