Training and Development

Read these sections on the process of strategically training and developing employees. In a competitive marketplace, effective training and development programs offer a recruitment tool to human resources (HR) and a valuable tool for employee retention. Knowing an organization is investing time and resources into your development can be critical.

The "Fortune 500 Focus" section describes how the Walt Disney Company conducts its training and development programs. In addition to providing training specific to each particular position in the park, the Disney Development Connection program offers continuous development to their human capital. In addition to in-house training, Disney also offers employees tuition reimbursement. In this way, Disney shows it is committed to its employees. How do these offerings affect employee performance, job satisfaction, corporate culture, and retention?

Training Delivery Methods

Key Takeaways

  • Training delivery methods are important to consider, depending on the type of training that needs to be performed.
  • Most organizations do not use only one type of training delivery method; a combination of many methods will be used.
  • On-the-job coaching delivery method is a training delivery method in which an employee is assigned to a more experienced employee or manager to learn the skills needed for the job. This is similar to the mentor training delivery method, except a mentor training method is less about skills training and more about ongoing employee development.
  • Brown bag lunch training delivery is normally informal and can involve personal development as well as specific job-related skills.
  • Web-based training is any type of training that is delivered using technology.
  • There are numerous platforms that can be used for web-based training and considerations, such as cost, when selecting a platform for use.
  • A synchronous training method is used for web-based training and refers to delivery that is led by a facilitator. An asynchronous training method is one that is self-directed.
  • Job shadowing is a delivery method consisting of on-the-job training and the employee's learning skills by watching someone more experienced.
  • To motivate employees and allow them to develop new skills, job swapping training delivery may be used. This occurs when two people change jobs for a set period of time to learn new skills. With this method, it is likely that other methods will also be used, too.
  • Vestibule training delivery is also known as "near site" training. It normally happens in a classroom, conference room, or lecture room and works well to deliver orientations and some skills-based training. Many organizations also use vestibule training for technical training, safety training, professional training, and quality training.
  • Since many companies operate overseas, providing training to those employees with international assignments can better prepare them for living and working abroad.