Training… hmm. Most business owners understand the benefits of investing in their equipment, infrastructure or stock, yet some struggle with investing in their greatest asset of all – their people. Time and time again I hear that training is ‘not necessary’, a ‘nice to have’, too time consuming or too expensive.
Instead of seeing training as an expense, or an obligation, we should look at it as an investment that pays the following dividends:
1. It allows your business to stay ahead of your competitors
With the rapid pace of technology and innovation no business can afford to remain static. Training is vital to ensure that your staff are up to date with changes within the industry, such as new legislation or processes and to keep up with technological advances. By keeping abreast of changes your business will be in a better position to identify gaps in the market or target necessary skill sets for your future operations.
2. It enhances business performance
Improving your employees’ skills in things like customer service, communication or workplace safety has a beneficial effect on the performance of your business. This can mean better customer engagement, improved work safety practices (meaning less risk), and increased efficiency and productivity. When all your employees’ skills are up to date you ensure there is greater consistency of approach across the business and exposing employees to new ideas and ways of doing things will also encourage innovation and dynamic thought.
3. Your employees will thank you for it
Training allows employees to acquire new skills which improves their ability to contribute meaningfully to the business and allows for greater opportunities within the business.
Importantly it also builds self- esteem and keeps employees feeling motivated and engaged, with higher levels of job satisfaction. Employees who see that their employer is willing to invest time, money and energy in their development are also more likely to remain loyal to the business, reducing the cost of staff turnover.
4. Your business will be attractive to new talent
Increasingly, employees expect training as part of their employment package and organisations that can offer a clear development pathway for their employees are likely to attract and retain a higher calibre of employee.
Gen Y in particular have grown up with the mantra of life long education, and are the most educated generation to enter the workforce with Year 12 and University courses completed at the highest rate they have been in Australian history. This generation thrive on new opportunity and learning new things and will move on quickly if they are not engaged.
March is a great time to consider training for your employees, with everyone back at work after the holidays and business back in full swing. Think about what skills you most need this year, who has those, who needs them, and how they can be supplemented or developed. Timing is also relevant – it’s important that training can be delivered at a time which is least likely to impact the business and allow full participation of those who will be involved. There are many ways that training can be delivered and we will explore some of those in next week’s blog.
HR Central provides customised training for your business needs including: training of soft skills ( presentation, communication, team work, stress management, time management etc), Equal Opportunity Training, Occupational Health and safety training and HR 101 – the basics of the Fair Work Act and Modern awards. 1300 717 721
To find out more information about the training that HR Central can provide for your business, click here.