The Importance of Workforce Training

By Annmarie Edwards

For businesses to maximize success, the impetus is to offer training to staff. Training benefits far exceed the cost seeing the impact on retention, growing talent pool, increase in staff morale, and improvement in overall job satisfaction. The knowledge economy with the focus on globalization places businesses on the edge to continually improve workers skill set to remain competitive.

Why workforce training is important?

With the rise of globalization in terms of the knowledge economy businesses need to improve their bottom-line to stay competitive. Technology is the cause for this due to its rapid growth across all specters. The reality is job skill set becomes absolute everyday as technology increases.

Why it is important for workers to become a life-long learner?

The increase in the use of technology demands changes in job skills. Workers need a new mindset to stay competitive in their position if they want to remain employed. Workers need to understand the importance of a strong human capital in the workplace. This is businesses greatest asset. Training offers workers the opportunity to continually upgrade their skills. As such, growing staff continuously will keep businesses in the loop in the ever-expanding knowledge economy.

What businesses need to know when planning training?

Before implementing a training program, it is critical for businesses to think of the problem training will solve before investing time and money. Next, it is central for businesses to conduct a need analysis to ascertain the skills most needed by the workers. The key to an effective need analysis is to get the buy in from all workers. By so doing, workers will be more open to the training and development offered by their company. Training counts when a match exists amongst the needs of the business and its workforce. Additionally, businesses need to consider their workers learning style when planning training. For instance, things to consider during planning stage are the appropriateness of a classroom-based training versus web-based training. What program will be in place to assess the training program? How often will workers use their new skill after training? Will supervisors allow cross training amongst employees? These are critical things to consider before implementing any training program.

How valuable training programs are in boosting staff morale and retention?

Research shows that companies that offer training improve productivity, increase staff morale and decrease retention. Workers see training as a benefit to them because of the career opportunites that are at their disposal. On the other hand, businesses that do not offer training and development to their workers are at risk in loosing their workforce. It is imperative for businesses to offer training to staff due to the ever changing demand of the workforce in keeping up to date in the knowledge economy. Businesses have much to gain in keeping their competitive edge by building a learning workforce.

Bio
Through her writing, speaking, training and development, Job search expert, Annmarie Edwards helps individuals and companies worldwide maximize their full growth potential. She is the author of 50 Ways To Maximize Your Potential, 50 Tips to Energize Your Workforce, 50 Proven Strategies to Maximize Your Job Search, Intuitive Creative Journal and Special Report: How to Create New Customers With Long-Term Brand Loyalty.
Annmarie Edwards is a certified International Job & Career Development Coach. She has a MA degree in education. Presently she is a doctoral student at the University of Phoenix.

Annmarie is a member of several organizations including Marquis Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who of America, Who's Who of the World (2006-2007, Manchester's Who's Who Executives and Professional Registry (2005- 2007), and is a member of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) 2005-2006, Society for Human Resource Management, (SHRM) 2005-2006, National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) 2005-2007, Who’s Who Among Americas’s Teachers (2006-2007). For more information check out her website at http://www.ariaresearchgroup.com


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