Training management is an area that receives too little attention, especially in small to medium businesses.
To survive in a fast-changing, data-driven business environment, companies need to be adaptable, quick to acquire new skills and good at what they do. In this context, effective training of employees is absolutely vital for businesses – and for many, it’s a legal requirement.
Why employee training is more important than ever
It’s a challenge for businesses to keep up with the pace of innovation in today’s business environment. To stand any chance of doing this, it’s essential to keep acquiring and building skills.
For the most part, it’s not viable to keep recruiting or replacing employees. This process isn’t only costly; it’s too slow. Instead, it makes sense to invest in on-going employee training and development.
Among the factors that make employee training more important than ever are the need to adapt to:
- disruptive technologies (like automation and AI) and digital transformation
- rapid changes in legislation
- faster times to market and accompanying changes in consumer expectations and demands
- the changing nature of careers, which call for continuous learning and development.
Without significant “upskilling”, small to medium businesses may lose out to more agile competitors. At worst, they risk becoming unqualified or obsolete.
Larry Page, co-founder of Google, said, “Lots of companies don’t succeed over time. What do they fundamentally do wrong? They usually miss the future.”
Similarly, workers who don’t adapt and develop new skills may struggle to remain relevant. As trends like automation and reliance on artificial intelligence continue to unfold, both businesses and their employees will need to evolve.
Typical problems with in-house company training
Companies that try their best with staff training run into common pitfalls that undermine the efficacy of their training programs. Typical problems with in-house company training include:
- inconsistent training across branches and divisions
- cultural differences between countries
- generational differences
- ensuring full engagement
- irrelevant training
- lack of support and feedback
- ineffective or unqualified instructors
- outdated or irrelevant training materials
- infrequent or unscheduled training.
A process for effective training management
To avoid wasting time on ineffective training, businesses should plan their training based on the company’s needs, employees’ competency gaps and changes to the industry.
Training must meet compliance requirements in companies that need to adhere to ISO or FDA standards.
The process for building an effective training plan should be tailored to each company but most will follow the same basic structure.
Assess training needs
Using feedback from employees and team leaders can identify knowledge and competency gaps.
Changes to industry-standard procedures and the introduction of new technologies will require training. Ensure training addresses required competencies for current and future job roles.
Set training objectives
Make sure you have a clear picture of what you need the training to achieve before you start planning it. Your goal is to bridge the gap between current and desired performance and skillsets.
Create an action plan
A training schedule and instructional materials must be compiled. Training materials can be reading materials, quizzes, videos and presentations. Training management systems can help with scheduling training sessions and tests.
Follow up
Following up after training identifies and addresses any gaps or inefficiencies. You won’t know if training has been effective until you can see it in action for a few weeks or months. Once identified, implement corrective actions.
What is a company training management system?
A company training management system (TMS) is a software application that helps facilitate training. The system manages the administration, documentation, tracking and reporting of training programs.
These often cloud-based systems allow companies to ensure that training schedules and systems are standardized across the company. This is especially important for industries where training is regulated for compliance with FDA or ISO standards.
isoTracker’s training management system for small businesses
isoTracker’s training management system makes employee training fast, inexpensive and effective.
Our training management system boasts a range of benefits for small to medium businesses.
- create multi-media courses
- create courses and tests specific to different job roles
- flexible pricing and subscription-based
- provides remote training capabilities
- automate reminders for training events
- assign CAPA to address gaps
- module can stand alone or integrate into our QMS system
- easy to install
- free support even during the trial period.
With isoTracker’s training management software you get access to a free 60-day trial, email support, help resources and free video guides on how to use our software. Contact us online for more information or start your free trial now.
