Employees are valuable assets to any company, driving daily operations and ensuring the business runs smoothly. Companies that invest in training, making sure employees have the information and resources they need to be successful — especially as technology continues to evolve — are positioning themselves for long-term success. Below are five things employers should know about training workers:
1. It’s worth it
There’s a popular meme where a CEO asks, “What if we train them and they leave?” and the CFO responds, “What if we don’t train them and they stay?” The point is, training is a critical investment. The goal of any training program is to equip employees with new skills that relate to business outcomes, like higher productivity. Investing in training is an investment in the future of your business.
2. Think of it as a fitness plan
Training is like starting a new workout or diet — it requires planning, discipline, routine, follow-through. It’s not a one-time thing, but an ongoing commitment. Consistent investment in skill development leads to lasting success for both the employee and the company.
3. Or maybe like gardening
Even after soil is prepped, a garden still needs watering, pruning and fertilizing. Similarly, supervisors and managers should be directly involved in the training process to understand what their teams are learning. It’s their responsibility to follow up, assess progress and gather feedback.
4. Highlight paths for growth
Companies should build training programs that highlight growth opportunities. The goal is to incentivize employees to actively participate, engage and learn during the training process, so it’s meaningful to both the employee and the company. A culture of ongoing development can lead to better employee satisfaction and retention.
5. Apprenticeships, apprenticeships, apprenticeships
Apprenticeships can be used to build new talent or to assist current employees in gaining new skills. While they are traditionally associated with blue-collar jobs, there is a huge new movement to use them in “new collar” positions. As two examples, at Chatt State we have paralegal apprenticeships with Chambliss law firm, and medical assistant training at CHI Memorial.