Training and development

Question 1

What is the purpose of training and development ?

Answer 1

To ensure employees are up to date with new technology, techniques, skills, policies and procedures

Question 2

What is a Training needs analysis (TNA) ?

Answer 2

To identify existing skills and skill gaps in the workforce, levels of competency and how skills relate to achieving business aims and objectives, discusses nature of training e.g. trainers, location and materials

Question 3

Define internal training and its advantages/disadvantages

Answer 3

Internal training is conducted in-house, delivered by a member of staff or trainee within the business

Adv - low cost, saves employees travelling

Dis - not as valued as external training, not as structured

Question 4

Define external training and its advantages/disadvantages

Answer 4

External training is conducted off-site where staff attend commercial or private centre

Adv - structured across specific time period, carried out by professionals

Dis - Quickly forgotten and costly

Question 5

Define on-the-job training and its advantages/disadvantages

Answer 5

On-the-job training is when staff are trained in a realistic work environment under supervision to acquire specific job skills

Adv - rapid response and usage of familiar equipment

Dis - distracting and pressure of work build up

Question 6

Define off-the-job training and its advantages/disadvantages

Answer 6

Delivered through employee attendance at training college/agency

Adv - opportunity to use new equipment and learn from others

Dis - unfamiliar processes which is timely and travelling costs

Question 7

Define mentoring and its advantages/disadvantages

Answer 7

When an individuals acts as a role model in terms of knowledge to provide guidance, support, advice, set goals, upskill/reskill and provide honest feedback to employees

Adv - gives employees self-awareness and self-confidence which benefits the business, increased job satisfaction

Dis - Incorrect matches for mentors and learners, overdependence on the mentor

Question 8

Define coaching and its advantages/disadvantages

Answer 8

Builds individuals confidence and encourages them to find solutions to their problems through challenging, paraphrasing, asking questions, providing focus and give opinions/advice

Adv - empowers individuals and encourages them to take responsibility, helps identify and develop higher level employees

Dis - Spoon feeding solutions to coachee and communication gap if coacher not setting clear objectives

Question 9

State one coaching model

Answer 9

John Whitmore GROW model where coachee breaks down problems using :

Goal - what do we want to achieve ?
Reality - what is happening now ?
Obstacles - what is currently getting in the way ?
Way forward - What can we commit to moving forward ?

Question 10

State another coaching model

Answer 10

Goleman Graham who believes all change starts with
self-awareness to identify strengths/weaknesses of individuals :

1. Self-awareness
2. Social awareness, empathy
3. Social skills/relationship management - influence
4. Self-management, adaptability

Question 11

What will happen if training is ineffective ?

Answer 11

1. Through employees not passing knowledge to others
2. Them not implementing new ideas/skills
3. No report back to trainers