Business Revision Guide: 3.6

• on the job


  this is training done at the workplace

  the training is given by a more knowledgeable / experienced member of staff
• off the job

  this is training at a specialist training centre

  can involve an employee gaining a qualification
• induction training

  this is training completed at the very start of employment

  it can be an induction day or week

  new employees are shown where things are, fire evacuation plans, the business aims and objectives
• lifelong learning

  this is where there are opportunities to continue to develop your learning. GCSE, ALEVEL, degree, masters etc.
• skills shortage

  in certain industries there are not enough skilled staff to fill the demand for labour
• on the job advantages:

  • cheaper
  • specialised in the way that business works
  • workers can be productive while training
• off the job advantages:

  • can gain qualification
  • taught by experts
  • employees more confident when starting job
• on the job disadvantages:

  • may be taught the wrong way
  • may make mistakes when training
  • potential disruption to production
• off the job disadvantage:

  • expensive
  • time consuming
  • not all workers are comfortable in different environments
• methods of on the job training:

  • demonstration / instruction
  • coaching
  • job rotation
  • projects
• demonstration / instruction - showing the trainee how to do the job
• coaching - a more intensive method of training that involves a close working relationship between an experiences employee and the trainee
• job rotation - where the trainee is given several jobs in succession, to gain experience of a wide range of activities (e.g. a graduate management trainee might spend periods in several different departments)
• projects - employees join a project team - which gives them exposure to other parts of the business and allow them to take part in new activities

  most successful project teams are "multi-disciplinary"
• methods of off the job training:

  • day release
  • distance learning / evening classes
  • block release courses
  • sandwich courses
  • sponsored courses in higher education
  • self - study, computer - based training
• day release: employees take time off work to attend a local college or training centre
• block release courses: which may involve several weeks at a local college
• sandwich courses: where the employee spends a longer period of time at college (E.g. six months) before returning to work
• why is training important?

  • improve productivity of workers
  • improve motivation of workers
  • ensure employees are up to date with changes in technology
  • makes a business more efficient
  • improves retention of staff