Organisation makes a lot of investment every year on various training and development programmes of its employees. The main purpose of the organisation for doing so is to augment the productivity of the company by enhancing the skills and knowledge of the employees. At one point or another, need for training arises, as the possibility of getting most eligible and trained person every time is very less. Thus. in order to make the employees skilful, training is provided to them by using various training methods. These training methods not only motivate the employees to develop their skills, but also prepare them to meet the upcoming organisational demands. Thus, companies adopt various methods to train their employees. Some of them are as follows:
On-the-job training methods
On-the-job training methods are based on the concept Of learning by doing. In this method, trainees are provided with real job settings to do their jobs. In some situations, they are given sole responsibility to handle the issues on their own and this is how they learn by doing their task. Also, the new employees gain knowledge of What is to be done from the existing employees and improve their skills under the guidance of experienced ones. This type of training method has become very popular and is used by most of the corporations. Some Of the crucial on-the-job training methods are discussed below:
Job Instruction Training (JIT): Under this training process. trainees are given instructions systematically one-by-one. These instructions are given by the experienced trainers who are well-known with the techniques and procedures to be used and the functions to be performed during the job. In this training method, the learners first observe their instructors While performing the task and then follow them by performing the task on their own. This helps the trainers to easily point Out the faults committed by the trainees and rectify them as soon as possible.
Apprenticeship: It follows the principle of “earning while learning”. In this method, an expert and experienced person gives his knowledge and skills to the trainee Who desires to learn that skill. Once the trainee has completed apprenticeship programme, trainee can apply for the permanent job, if there is any.
Job Rotation: It is that process in which the employees are given the opportunity to perform the functions of other departments in the organisation. When the employees are rotated from one department to another department or from one division to other division, they gain new knowledge and experience about the different jobs performed by different people in the organisation. Job rotation takes place either in the form of promotions in which the employees are promoted from lower level to higher level or in the form of lateral transfers, in which only the job responsibility changes, but not the position Of the employee. Thus, this training method is the best way to transform an employee to an expert.
Coaching: The guidance given by the superiors of the organisation to their subordinates is called coaching. Besides being an unofficial and unplanned training method, it improves the bonding between the employees and their superiors. The senior manager acts as a coach or instructor and guides the employees about how to perform the task and how the mistakes done can be rectified. Later, they also evaluate the performance of these employees.
Understudy: It is the method of preparing the trainees to perform the responsibilities of his trainer or to occupy the position Of his senior in future. In this method, when the superior or manager is about to get separated from the organisation due to the reasons Of transfers, resignation, retirement etc., his position is allotted to that employee who has received training under him, This method is different from coaching in the sense that the manager can select employee from his department for understudy.
Mentoring: In this method, training is given by a specialised and experienced person. In organisations, mentoring is usually done by senior employees where they try to enhance the skills of junior employees. Many organisations use mentoring as a nurturing tool which fosters the understanding and proficiency of their employees.
Off-the-Job Training Methods
Unlike on-the-job training methods, off-the-job training methods are not based on the concept of ‘learning by doing’ but it follows the rule of ‘learning by gaining knowledge’. Under this method, the trainees are called upon in a classroom which may be situated inside the company or some outside place such as institutes or centres to provide the training. Because of outside location, trainee can learn freely without the stress Of job work. The main focus of this guidance is to improve the knowledge of the new employees. Some of the well-known off-the-job training methods are as follows:
Lectures: When there is a requirement of imparting technical knowledge to the new employees, lecture method proves to be the best way to clear the notion, ideas and hypothesis to the trainee. It is a one-way communication method in which the mentor collects the entire relevant data for the trainees and conveys a lecture using various teaching aids such as models, chart papers, visual aids, audio aids, etc. Thus, it is the simplest method of providing knowledge to the trainees.
Simulations: This training method depicts a real-life situation of the job that may have happened in the organisation in the past such as damage to any valuable thing, any serious enquiry that may have adversely affected the company, any mistake that had costed the company a lot, etc. Several realistic examples can be shown to the trainees to prepare them to handle the situations accordingly. By this, the organisation prepares the trainees well in advance about what may happen on the job and how they have to deal with these types of situations. This method is used in those industries where on-the-job training can be expensive or destructive, such as, in an aeronautical industry.
Case Study: Under this method, the real business cases are framed and they are provided to trainees. Trainees have to discuss it and give their ideas on how they would have tackled that situation. This method is called case study method and is one of the very common ways of imparting knowledge based on actual business situations.
Role-Play: In this method, trainees are provided with an imaginary or real problem which is generally concerned with the organisation. They are asked to assume identity of a particular person and behave as if they are in that particular situation. In order to enhance their managerial skills, employees can make use Of various visual aids and tips given by their mentor while executing their performance.
In-Basket Exercise: In this method, the trainee is given all the relevant things like letters, reports, records, etc. that are needed by managers. The trainee is given a specific situation which managers confront regularly. He is asked to assess the situation, prioritise the things, justify his reasons and give final decision on the issues raised during the exercise. The exercise gives the manager a snapshot of learner’s ability to perform the executive functions and roles in the job. The whole exercise is video-recorded and the concerned candidates aft: tested on the grounds of proposed set of their skills and abilities such as of problem-solving ability, time management, etc.
Conferences: A structured method Of communicating thoughts to a large number Of audiences who are attending the event is called as a conference. Experts from specific fields come together to share their views on a common topic and also obtain answers to their questions, if they have any.
Seminar: Another word for ‘Seminar’ is “Seed Plot” which means it is a base ground for gaining knowledge. These are conducted by experienced and expert people who not only prepare the topic Of discussion and deliver it in front of learners but also help them to share their ideas and explore their views towards the topic of discussion. Since, it is focussed on any particular topic, learners are able to understand the things more clearly and respond effectively.
Group Discussion: It is one of the very common training methods adopted by numerous organisations. Under this method, a topic is given to the group of trainees and they are asked to actively participate in it and give their outlook towards the issue. The discussion topic is given on the spot and thus, no time is given to the trainees to prepare the topic. This method not only helps in solving the problem related to an organisation but also creates a higher rate Of interest and enthusiasm among the trainees as they are able to share good experience and gain new ideas and knowledge about the subject.
Sensitivity Training: As by name, sensitivity training, it is very clear that this training is related to emotions and sentiments. It is also called as T-group training or laboratory training. The assessment is based on the behaviour of ‘one for the other’. This training is carried out to make employees get aware of and respect the feelings and emotions of other co-trainees.
Syndicates: Syndicate training method has proved to be very useful for training higher management. In this training method the employees form a group and get united to execute any particular function. This method includes numerous groups who work altogether to achieve the organisational training goals.