Making the case for Training

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The business case for investing in the development of people is compelling. Research shows that training your employees can bring your business an increase in productivity, profits, motivation and higher customer satisfaction. It can help build your competitive advantage and equip your employees with the skills that your business needs.

Training Needs Analysis can help you identify which areas you and your staff need to target the most. Follow this link for more information.

The Business Gateway website has comprehensive information on training and motivating your workforce. It covers topics including:

• Creating a Personal Development Plan
• Evaluate your training
• Fit the training to your business needs
• Improve the performance of your staff
• Develop your Management Team
• Set up in House Training
• How to find a training provider or course
• Learning through networking with others
• Skills and training for directors and owners
• Assess your leadership styles and strengths
• Lead and Motivate your staff

When choosing training courses for your employees, it is a good idea to bear in mind that people learn in different ways. Training will be more effective if it meets employees' individual needs as well as your business needs. Here are some questions that you should get your employees to consider that can help you decide what sort of training is most suitable:

1. Decide how much time you have or need.
2. Identify skills you require
3. Identify your budget. There may also be free courses available, so shop around.
4. Is there any help towards the cost of studying? This could be available from your employer, the business, grants etc.
5. What type of learning works best for you? i.e. Seminars, workshops, online learning.
6. What and where are the venues and available dates? Will they be suitable for you.
7. Is the training for personal interest, to develop your own business/professional skills or to improve the skill-set of the business.
8. Do you want a formal qualification from your training?
9. Will you want ongoing training, refresher courses or re-certification following your training?
10. Will there be support available throughout your training?

There are also a number of quality standards that your business could aim for that provide external confirmation that your training processes are of the highest quality.