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Hiring a new employee creates an opportunity for a lag time between their entry and their contribution to the organization, putting the importance of employee training and development of the skills necessary to accomplish the task on the priority list.
However, in the evolving landscape of the modern workplace, any involved figure in training the new joiners must navigate the path considering the rapid technological advancements. In addition to that, aligning their goals with shifting market demands, dynamic skill requirements, and methods employed for employee learning and development to empower the workforce takes the front seat. As a result, it can equip the organization to meet client and industry requirements more expertly and efficiently.
Research done by Survey Monkey has shown that 59% of employees say training has improved their overall job performance, while 41% of them have claimed that it helped them master time-management skills. To leverage the benefit of the L&D sessions, up to 62% stay up-to-date on current events in their field, while 38% are willing to attend conferences to garner knowledge.
The result of conducting a comprehensive L&D showcased a staggering number of hikes in organizational profit margin. Research conducted by HuffPost has shown that a carefully structured employee training and development module can deliver a 24% rise in organizational revenue.
However, the first dilemma arises from identifying the most suitable training method. The training method needs to be chosen depending on the goal or purpose of the training. With each method coming with its own challenges and benefits, a thorough understanding of the company's goals is needed. The training method then needs to be chosen accordingly for the most help.
We are here to help you figure that out by suggesting 12 effective employee training and development strategies to help you equip your workforce with the necessary skills and competencies.
12 Effective ways to train your employees in 2024
There are multiple approaches to imparting the necessary training to employees. While some take a hands-on approach, some methods involve setting goals and schedules to streamline the process. So, here is a mixed bag of 12 strategies that adopt all approaches that may be suitable to your employee training and development efforts:
1. Create a scheduled plan
A comprehensive and detailed employee training plan can be one of the best strategies you can adopt. A scheduled plan can help you identify the tools you need to deliver the training by including timelines, lessons, and intended outcomes.
Scheduling can also help you break down the activity over multiple sessions, making the information easier to understand and digest. In this way, it can help you evaluate the plan's success and identify further gaps in their skill sets, which you may need to address later.
2. Host sessions regularly
Some employees may not perform their best when forced into a stressful environment and may absorb more information in a relaxed setting. For such employees, you can host regular employee training and development sessions in casual settings, such as over meals.
This can help create a bond between you and your employee, which can help them see you as a confidante. The casual setting helps them understand and retain the lessons learned from these sessions more effectively. Ultimately, this may help them approach you directly when they need further training or wish to develop more skills.
3. Set employee expectations
One thing that can affect an employee's capacity to perform is the need for clarity in their tasks. So, set expectations and targets for each employee and then convey the same to the employee. This will ensure they are on the same page as you regarding what needs to be done.
Also, open up channels so they can clarify any doubts. This creates a supportive and fruitful two-way conversation that ultimately enhances their performance and supports company growth.
4. Offer learning opportunities
Employees can only grow within an organization if they have the necessary growth space and opportunities. As managers, you must create opportunities that challenge the employees and compel them to grow as they combat those challenges.
These opportunities may be microlearning initiatives, short but interactive learning initiatives, or e-learning opportunities. E-learning can be especially beneficial since it allows employees to learn at their own pace and take responsibility for their growth and development.
5. Conduct mentoring programs
Mentoring helps to bring new employees up to speed on the skills needed within a company. So, you can select a few exceptional employees who have proved their mettle and assign a trainee employee to each mentor.
Shadowing their mentor and learning things by staying close to them can teach new employees a lot about the company's SOPs and culture while witnessing their exceptional work first-hand. It can also help create camaraderie between the mentor and mentee, where the mentee can confide in their mentor without fearing judgment.
6. Customize & personalize training programs
One of the things you need to keep in mind is that all of your employees are different when it comes to their skills and capabilities. Thus, if you wish for more effective employee training and development efforts, you must customize each training plan to the employee it is for. Add elements you identify lacking to make your training plans more successful.
This will also make your employees feel more engaged since they would not be interested in learning something they already are skilled in.
7. Host inter-employee training sessions
Experienced employees are the best people to provide crucial training on things they have personally learned while on the job. Furthermore, new employees may feel more comfortable and relaxed when approached by their peers rather than seniors or external trainers.
Hence, it may be best to adopt an internal training strategy by hosting inter-employee training sessions. These sessions can be on specific topics or skills experienced employees have expertise in or on general topics or skills that may benefit the workplace.
8. Set employee goals
Setting individual employee goals can also be a strong motivator that will compel your employees to work on themselves and fill their skill gaps. For better efficiency, you can set SMART goals that target specific shortcomings in the employee's skill set and establish a deadline for achieving the goal.
In this way, you can monitor their growth and diligence in meeting that goal, while the employee is also bound to feel motivated to meet it in the designated timeline.
9. Provide quality educational resources
Quality resources are the backbone of any employee training and development strategy. Thus, if you want your employees to learn crucial and relevant skills, you must invest in securing quality resources. Be it books, videos, seminars, or workshops, choose resources that can help them fill the gaps in their skill sets.
Also, ensure that all the resources you provide are updated per the latest industry trends so your employees get their training on the latest and updated information in their desired fields.
10. Engage in networking hubs
Networking hubs are a rich source of expertise and knowledge your employees can benefit from. By engaging with industry experts and leaders to learn directly from, networking hubs are one of the most effective training strategies you can invest in.
This can also help your employees expand their professional network, motivating them to learn from others and reach their level. Thus, while this is a valuable training strategy, it can also be a great motivation tool for your employees to benefit from.
11. Hold one-on-one meetings
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One-on-one meetings can be another helpful strategy for staying on top of your employees' capabilities and identifying any gaps that need to be filled. Regular weekly meetings can open conversations about the growth of each employee, how much they have grown, and what areas they still need mentoring and assistance in.
Accordingly, you may create opportunities so your employees get the training they want and need. As a result, such one-on-one meetings can help you better understand your employees and what you need to do to help them grow.
12. Listen their feedback & improve process
While employee training and development programs are designed to help your employees grow and become more professional, outdated training programs, and plans can have adverse effects instead.
So, to prevent your employees from regressing due to an outdated training plan, you need to invite honest employee feedback and improve the plan accordingly. By keeping it in line with the latest industry expectations and requirements, you can ensure that the training delivers what you intended for it to deliver.
Conclusion
Effective employee training and development plans are crucial for an organization to stay on top of what the industry wants and expects. But only by ensuring that your training efforts are customized to your organization and employees can you achieve growth and development that benefits the company. So, with these 12 employee training strategies, you can ensure your employees are growing exactly in the required direction. From creating scheduled plans and planning mentoring programs to facilitating participation in networking hubs to regularly enhancing your training strategies, you must evaluate your company's goals and choose the most appropriate strategies.
