Hrm Module IV
Hrm Module IV
Introduction of training
Introduction
Training and development play an important role in the effectiveness of organisations and to the experiences of
people in work. Training has implications for productivity, health and safety at work and personal development.
All organisations employing people need to train and develop their staff. Most organisations are cognisant of
this requirement and invest effort and other resources in training and development. Such investment can take
the form of employing specialist training and development staff and paying salaries to staff undergoing training
and development. Investment in training and development entails obtaining and maintaining space and
equipment. It also means that operational personnel, employed in the organisation’s main business functions,
such as production, maintenance, sales, marketing and management support, must also direct their attention and
effort from time to time towards supporting training development and delivery. This means they are required to
give less attention to activities that are obviously more productive in terms of the organisation’s main business.
However, investment in training and development is generally regarded as good management practice to
maintain appropriate expertise now and in the future.
Training Defined
Training is that process by which the efficiency of the
employees increases and develops. Training is a specialised
knowledge which is required to perform a specific job.
Training has been defined by different scholars of
management. Some important definitions of training are as
under:
In the words of Dale S. Beach, "Training is the
organised procedure by which people learn knowledge and Improve skill for a definite purpose."
In the words of Michael J. Jucius, "Training is a process by which the aptitudes, skills and abilities of
employees to perform specific jobs are increased."
According to Edwin B. Flippo, "Training is the act of increasing the knowledge and skill of an
employee for doing a particular job."
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In the words of Dale Yoder, "Training is the process by which manpower is filled for the particular job
it has to perform."
In simple words, to provide ability to the employee to perform a specific job is called training. Thus, the art.
Knowledge and skill to accomplish a specific job in a specific way is called training.
Objective of Training
The general objectives of training are as follows:
To Increase Productivity of Employees:
Training helps in developing the capacities and capabilities of the employees-both new and old, by
upgrading their skills and knowledge so that the organization could gainfully avail their services for
higher grade professional, technical, sales or production positions from within the organization. In case
of new employees, training aims to provide them with basic knowledge and skill they need for an
intelligent performance of their specific tasks.
To Remain Competitive in the Market:
To tackle the immensely growing competition in the target market, it is important for an employer to
increase the productivity of its workers while reducing the cost of production of the products. Training,
therefore, aims to bring about efficiency and effectiveness in an organization to enable it to remain
competitive in a highly competitive market situation and for the achievement of organizational goals.
To Change Attitude of the Workers:
Training not only provides new knowledge and job skills to employees, but also brings about a change
in their attitude towards fellow workers, supervisor and the organization. It increases job satisfaction
among employees and keeps them motivated. It gives them security at the workplace and as a result,
labour turnover and absenteeism rates are reduced. It also develops in them self-consciousness and a
greater awareness to recognize their responsibilities and contribute their very best to the organization.
To Enable Workers to Adapt Quickly to Changes:
Technology is changing at a fast pace. Technological changes like automation and development of
highly mechanized and computer oriented systems, threaten the survival of dynamic companies by
creating new problems, new methods, new procedures, new equipment’s, new jobs, new skills and
knowledge, new product and services etc.
In such a situation, the employees may find themselves helpless to adapt to the changes and may feel
frustrated and compelled to leave their jobs. Thus, training acts as a continuous process to update the
employees in the new methods and procedures and make them efficient in handling advanced
technology.
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To Mitigate the Risk of Accidents:
Trained workers can handle the machines safely. They also know the use of various safety devices in the
factory. Thus, they are less prone to industrial accidents.
To Reduce Wastage of Time and Resources:
Training aims at making employees efficient in handling materials, machines and equipment and thus to
avoid wastage of time and resources. It also helps in imparting new skills among the workers
systematically so that they may learn quickly. If the workers learn through trial and error, they will take
a longer time and even then, may not be able to learn right methods of doing work.
To Provide Growth Opportunities to Existing Employees:
Sometimes, it may not be possible for the management to fill in higher work positions from outside.
Under such conditions, the apprenticeship programmes aiming at improving the skills of the present
employees come to the aid of the company by make available their requirements of the personnel from
within the organization. This reduces the need for recruiting people from outside and also improves the
morale of the existing employees.
To Make the Management Effective:
One of the primary objectives of training and development process is to give rise to a new and improved
management which is capable of handling the planning and control without any serious problem.
Knowledge and experience gathered through training enables them to handle the tough situations and
confusing realities, thus opening the way for bigger and better opportunities for business. It can also be
used for strengthening values, building teams, improving inter- group’s relations and quality of work
life.
Importance of Training
a. Training must be help to create an attitudinal change by creating awareness of the overall process
b. Training helps to perform the role of different sections of employees, the managerial responsibility and
the importance of communication and participation
c. It must enhance skills in organizational and managerial areas
d. It must make orient new entrants in the organization to the discipline and culture requirement of the
organization
e. Proper orientation and training should be given to the new entrants.
f. An effective training programme should process the following characteristics.
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g. Training programmes should be chalked out after identifying needs or goals.
h. It should have relevance to the job requirements.
i. It should make due allowance for the differences among the individuals in regard to ability, aptitude,
learning capacity, emotional make-up, etc.
j. A good training performance should prepare the trainee mentally before they are imparted any job
knowledge or skills.
k. Training programmes should be conducted by well qualified and experienced trainers.
l. An effective training programme should have the support from top management.
m. Top management can gently influence the quality of training in the organization by the policies it adopts
and the extent to which it supports training programmes.
n. An effective training programme should be supported by critical appraisal of the outcome of the training
efforts.
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2. Deriving Instructional Objectives: Once the needs are identified, the objectives for which the training is to
be conducted are established. The objectives could be based on the gaps seen in the training programmes
conducted earlier and the skill sets developed by the employees.
3. Designing Training Programme: The next step is to design the training programme in line with the set
objectives. Every training programme encompasses certain issues such as: Who are the trainees? Who are the
trainers? What methods are to be used for the training? What will be the level of training? etc.Also, the
comprehensive action plan is designed that includes the training content, material, learning theories,
instructional design, and the other training requisites.
4. Implementation of the Training Programme: Once the designing of the training programme is
completed, the next step is to put it into the action. The foremost decision that needs to be made is where the
training will be conducted either in-house or outside the organization.
Once it is decided, the time for the training is set along with the trainer who will be conducting the training
session. Also, the trainees are monitored continuously throughout the training programme to see if it’s effective
and is able to retain the employee’s interest.
5. Evaluation of the Training Programme: After the training is done, the employees are asked to give their
feedback on the training session and whether they felt useful or not. Through feedback, an organization can
determine the weak spots if any, and can rectify it in the next session.The evaluation of the training programme
is a must because companies invest huge amounts in these sessions and must know it’s effectiveness in terms of
money.
Thus, every firm follows the series of steps to design an effective training programme that serves the purpose
for which it was intended.
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Different Levels at which it is to be Conducted
Identification of training needs can be done at three levels to ascertain three kinds of needs: -
Organisational Needs: - These concern the performance of the organisation as a whole. Here
identification of training needs is done to find out whether the organisation is meeting its current
performance standards and objectives and if not, exploring ways in which training or learning might
help it to do so. Sometimes organisational training needs are also identified when the organisation
decides that it has to adopt a major new strategy, create a new product or service, undergo a large-scale
change programme, or develop significant new relationships, such as joining with others to form new
partnerships.
Group Needs: - Since working in groups and teams have become very much prevalent in today's
corporate world that is why nowadays there is increased emphasis given on team effectiveness and team
performance. So training needs are nowadays even identified at the group level. Training needs here are
concerned basically with the performance of a particular group, which may be a team, department,
function, sub-unit, or so on. Information about this group's performance may identify areas of need -
which, again, may be for training or other interventions. It is used to find out how efficiently a particular
team or group goes about its business and meets its current objectives.
Individual Needs: - These concern the performance of one or more individuals (as individuals, rather
than as members of a group). Here identification of training needs is about finding out to what extent
individuals need to learn or be trained in order to bring their current performance up to the required level
as a result of changes in methods and processes that call for new competencies and skills.
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4. Instructor-led training
5. Role playing
6. Films and videos
7. Case studies
8. Technology-based learning
1) Simulators: -
Simulations are an effective training technique for fields that require a specific set of skills for operating
complex machinery, such as in the medical or aviation industries. Successful simulations reflect actual work
situations, and allow trainees to solve issues that they will likely face on the job.
2) On-the-job training: -
On-the-job or hands-on training jumps straight to the practical skills necessary for the job. New hires begin
working immediately with this training method. In some cases, it may be beneficial to incorporate an
employee shadowing component. This will allow new hires to gain a little insight into the context and job
requirements before trying it on their own.
3) Coaching/mentoring: -
Though a structured curriculum has its place in training, there are many benefits to mentorship and
coaching. Implementing a mentorship program at your company, along with other training methods, creates
employee development opportunities as well as develops relationships that help new employees feel
welcomed and supported.
Mentorship is invaluable, but it does come with its challenges. Your best employees will be asked to take
time away from their work to train and grow newer staff members. Though it proves to be beneficial in the
end, it will require a little sacrifice.
4) Instructor-led training: -
Classroom-style training is the most traditional and popular training method for employees. This method
mimics other classrooms in that an instructor prepares and leads the experience, usually using a lecture-style
presentation with a visual component.
This style of training has many benefits, one of which being that trainees can interact with their trainer.
Questions are asked that might otherwise go unaddressed in other training methods. It also allows for
relationship building between the trainer and the trainee as well as among the employees that are going
through the training together.
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A major challenge for instructor-led training is the inability to scale it. If the classroom is too large, it can
inhibit instructors from interacting one-on-one with the students. Additionally, in-person monitoring is
required throughout the entire training. Trainees are unable to move at their own pace in this environment.
It's important to keep energy high if you're using this training method. Allow students opportunities to take
breaks and move around, and encourage engagement to avoid trainees from losing interest.
5) Role playing: -
This technique is usually executed with a trainee and a facilitator (or trainer), where each is allowed to act
out different potential work scenarios. This method is most effective in industries that require client or
customer interaction, as it allows employees to practice handling difficult situations.
6) Films and videos: -
Video has quickly gained popularity as an effective training technique. It aids companies in training
employees more quickly and efficiently. Many employees prefer it to reading materials. There are several
approaches to training videos. Some companies choose one approach depending on the material, while
others combine a few approaches into one video seamlessly. The approaches include:
a. Animation: This style allows complex topics to be explained through visual illustrations. If a topic is
difficult to record, animation is probably the best method.
b. Live action: Live action videos are more demonstrative and are great for showing appropriate and
inappropriate interactions through role-play scenes.
c. To-camera: This approach features a narrator that is speaking directly to the viewer. Typically, the
narrator is communicating the information through a more lecture-style format.
d. Screen recorded: This method features a recording of things happening on the computer screen. It's
perfect for showing employees how to use new digital tools through a step-by-step process.
Videos can make difficult material more interactive, engaging and demonstrative. Additionally, like
computer-based training, the material is easily accessible. An in-person facilitator is unnecessary and
employees can revisit the information whenever they need.
Though making videos is relatively affordable, it can be time-consuming. It may be beneficial to partner
with a training video agency to save yourself valuable time and frustration.
7) Case studies: -
When you're hoping to develop analytical and problem-solving skills, case studies could be the best training
technique. Trainees are given scenarios, either real or imagined, that depict common work situations. Either
independently or in a group, the employees are then asked to analyze the case and come up with ideal
solutions and scenarios.
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8) Technology-based learning: -
With the development of technology, computerized training is becoming more prevalent. It's sometimes
referred to as computer-based training (CBT) or e-learning, but it essentially refers to the same thing with
one key difference: e-learning is hosted completely online, while computer-based training encompasses any
kind of training that takes place on the computer.
An important benefit of technology-based learning is that it allows trainees to work through the material at
their own pace, and removes the need for an in-person facilitator. This type of training often mimics
traditional classroom-style teaching by providing a voiceover with visuals that support the content.
Oftentimes, resources such as videos and additional reading accompany the material to aid in the training
process
Training Evaluation
Training evaluation is the systematic process of analyzing if training programs and initiatives are effective and
efficient. Trainers and human resource professionals use training evaluation to assess if employee training
programs are aligned with and meet the company’s goals and objectives.
Training evaluation refers to the process of collecting the outcomes needed to determine if training is effective.
The company constantly evaluates the effectiveness of training programs to find if the money they have
invested has been spending properly or not.
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4 Steps of Evaluation Process of Training Program
These 4 questions give the 4 steps of evaluating training Program:-
1. Reaction
2. Learning
3. Behavior
4. Result
1. Reaction
Reaction refers to the attitude of employees about the training,
whether the employee considers training to be a positive or
negative one. If the reaction is positive, then people have
accepted the program, and changes will be possible.
2. Learning
Another method of judging effectiveness is to identify levels of
learning, i.e., how much the people have learned during the
training. This can be found out by trainers mark sheet, the
report submitted by the employee, and actual performance.
3. Behavior
The HR department needs to understand the behavior of the
employees, to understand the effectiveness of training. The behavioral change can be seen in how the person
interacts with juniors, peer groups, and seniors. They mark the behavior change and inform the HR
department of the success of the training program.
4. Result
Results provided by the employee in monetary terms also determine the effectiveness of the training program,
i.e., employee success in handling the project, the group performance before and after training, etc.
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Evaluation is useful to explain program failure should occur. The credibility of training and development is
greatly enhanced when it is proved that the organization has benefited tangibly from it. If specific performance
factor can measure the trainees’ performance after the training can be compared with the objectives for the
training program. If the training objectives have been met, then the training has been successful.
For example, a training objective could be to train ten people to type a minimum of fifty words per minute with
less than a 1 percent error rate.
In this case, evaluating the training program’s success would involve testing the typing skills of all trainees both
before and after the training. If the objective were found to have been met, the program would be evaluated as
having been successful.
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3. To give the specialist an overall view of the function of an organisation and equip them to co-ordinate
each other’s efforts effectively
4. To identify persons with the required potential and prepare them for senior positions.
5. To increase morale of the members of the management group.
6. To increase versatility of the management group.
7. To keep the executives abreast with changes and developments in their respective fields.
8. To create the management succession which can take over in case of contingencies?
9. To improve thought process and analytical ability.
10. To broaden the outlook of the executive regarding his role positional and responsibilities.
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To use proficiency in management techniques such as work study, inventory control, operations research
and quality control.
To stimulate creative thinking in order to improve methods and procedures.
To understand the functions performed in a company.
To understand industrial relations problem.
To develop the ability to analyses problem in one’s area or functions.
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Management of public utilities, state enterprise, and civic Bodies is being professionalized in order to
improve operational efficiency. Similarly, agriculture, rural development and public administration
require professional executives.
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