Creating Training Programs for your Organization
By Marc Belaiche, CPA, CA
Creating a training program for your organization can be extremely valuable but also a very time-consuming and potentially expensive endeavour.
This article will provide some tips to consider when creating a training program.
Needs and goals assessment
Defining your objectives before starting to create a training program is a must. Decide on the goals and objectives you’re trying to achieve and rank them as necessary.
Availability of resources
Determine whether your organization has the time available and the staff resources required to create and implement the program. Don’t underestimate the time and energy required to put together a well-executed training program.
Evaluate options
Evaluate all options available to make the best possible decisions for your organization, and be objective when evaluating them.
Location
Decide whether to have the training on-site or externally. An advantage to off-site training is that it can significantly reduce distractions, allowing for more focus from the participants. Consider technology issues for employees who may want to participate in the training from a remote location.
Who will conduct training?
There are several options as to who should conduct the training, including employees, managers or external consultants. Be aware of costs and time required in your choices.
Timing
It’s preferable to conduct training when it’s less busy in your organization, but also when you’re more likely to have maximum attendance. If possible, make the training compulsory.
Numbers/Diversity in the Program
To provide the best training possible, consider how many will attend the session(s) and the breakdown of attendees. Decide on a larger vs. smaller group, older/younger, more experienced/less experienced, male/female, or a combination of all.
Format
Will the training be visual, role plays, lecture style, other? Will there be humour or games involved? How will participants get involved? Remember that an engaged audience will take away more from the training than a group who is not engaged.
Other tips
· Determine who should attend – management only, non-management, or both.
· Provide a certificate to those who have participated.
· Keep it in short blocks and allow for breaks throughout the session.
· Use technology as much as possible.
· Reduce distractions by asking participants to turn off their smart phones.
· Give attendees homework to complete either in advance, during or after the training has been provided.
· Choose a name for the training that will give it credibility and is easily understood.
· Use consistent formats for slides, templates and handouts if you’re providing different internal training programs.
· Tailor the training as much possible to your organization rather than using canned training.
· Select one or two people to be responsible for the overall program and its objectives to ensure accountability.
· Do a pilot with a smaller number of participants to get feedback on how it can be improved.
· Ask employees receiving the training what they need, either in person, through surveys or focus groups.
· Budget appropriately for the costs associated with the program.
· Make the materials accessible online for employees who either missed the training or want to view it again later.
· Measure the successes afterwards and share the results through the organization.
· Use evaluations at the conclusion to get a sense of how the training can be improved.
Conclusion
There is considerable effort that goes into an effective training program. Following these tips and tailoring training to your organization’s needs will help make your program valuable to the employees who are participating.
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Marc Belaiche is a CPA, CA and is President of TorontoJobs.ca, an Internet recruitment business and recruiting firm located in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada. Marc has been in the recruitment industry since 1995. TorontoJobs.ca allows companies to post their positions online, search a resume database to find candidates, provides outplacement services and full temporary and permanent recruitment services. It also allows candidates to search and apply to positions directly online and get career, interviewing and resume tips all at no charge. Marc is also President of TorontoEntrepreneurs.ca, an organization geared towards business owners (see www.TorontoEntrepreneurs.ca). You can reach Marc at Marc.Belaiche@TorontoJobs.ca and check out TorontoJobs.ca at www.TorontoJobs.ca.
