Training and Development - Definition, Importance, Process & Example

What is Training and Development?

Training and Development is the continuous process of improving skills, gaining knowledge,
clarifying concepts and changing attitude through structured and planned education by which the
productivity and performance of the employees can be enhanced.
Training and Development emphasize on the improvement of the performance of individuals as
well as groups through a proper system within the organization which focuses on the skills,
methodology and content required to achieve the objective.
Good & efficient training of employees helps in their skills & knowledge development, which
eventually helps a company improve its productivity leading to overall growth.
Training is about knowing where you are in the present and after some time where will you reach
with your abilities.
By training, people can learn new information, new methodology and refresh their existing
knowledge and skills.
Due to this there is much improvement and adds up the effectiveness at work. The motive behind
giving the training is to create an impact that lasts beyond the end time of the training itself and
employee gets updated with the new phenomenon. Training can be offered as skill development
for individuals and groups.
Organizational Development is a process that “strives to build the capacity to achieve and sustain
a new desired state that benefits the organization or community and the world around
them.” (From the Organizational Development Network website).

Training and Development Process

Training and development is a continuous process as the skills, knowledge and quality of work
needs constant improvement. Since businesses are changing rapidly, it is critical that companies
focus on training their employees after constantly monitoring them & developing their overall
personality.
Steps for training and development processes are:
1. Determine the need of training and development for individuals or teams
First of all the need has to be seen for training and development. it has to align with the
company's goals and objectives.
If a company is trying to start a new department or strengthen existing sales team in new
products, then an appropriate training is needed.
2. Establish specific objectives & goals which need to be achieved
The goals and objectives of the training and development have to be established. Whether the
goal is awareness about new products or even installation is required to be learnt.
3. Select the methods of training
Next, methods have to be defined. The training can be done as a :
1. Classroom Training
2. Online Self-paced courses
3. Course with certification
4. Instructor led online training
4. Conduct and implement the programs for employees
After the plan and methods are finalized, the training and development programs have to be
executed where courses, instructions are taught to the employees, partners or vendors.
5. Evaluate the output and performance post the training and development sessions
Training and Development is incomplete without proper monitoring. Monitoring can be done
through evaluation of the instructor as well as attendees. Instructor evaluation can be done
through feedback or ratings but attendees can be evaluated through internal or external
certifications or scores.
6. Keep monitoring and evaluating the performances and again see if more training is
required
Based on the evaluation results in the previous step, management needs to ascertain that if the
training and development program was sufficient for now or more training and enablement
would be required. Also, if future trainings are to be planned.
Importance of Training and Development
For companies to keep improving, it is important for organizations to have continuous training
and development programs for their employees. Competition and the business environment
keeps changing, and hence it is critical to keep learning and pick up new skills. The importance
of training and development is as follows:
1, Optimum utilization of resources
2. Development of skills like time management, leadership, team management etc.
3. To increase the performance, productivity and motivation
4. To imbibe the team spirit
5. For improvement of organization culture
6. To improve quality
7. To increase profitability and bottom line by acquiring new skills
8. Improving brand image by having well trained employees

Relation and Difference between Training and Development

There is a relation between training and development, and there is clear difference between the
two based on goals to be achieved. Development is made to answer the training problems:

TRAINING DEVELOPMENT
Training is meant for operatives Development is meant for executives
It is reactive process It is pro- active process
AIM: To develop additional skills AIM: To develop the total personality
It is short term process It is continuous process
OBJECTIVE: To meet the present need of OBJECTIVE: To meet the future need of an
an employee employee
Initiative is taken by the management Initiative is taken by an individual.

Need for Training and Development

Training and development of employees is a costly activity as it requires a lot quality inputs from
trainers as well as employees. But it is essential that the company revises its goals and
efficiencies with the changing environment. Here are a few critical reasons why the company
endorses training and development sessions.
1. Improvement
When management thinks that there is a need to improve the performances of employees
2. Benchmarking
To set up the benchmark of improvement so far in the performance improvement effort
3. Specific Role Requirement
To train about the specific job responsibility and skills like communication management, team
management etc.
4. Testing
To test the new methodology for increasing the productivity

Advantages of training and development

Training and development has a cost attached to it. However, since it is beneficial for companies
in the long run, they ensure employees are trained regularly. Some advantages are:
1. Helps employees develop new skills and increases their knowledge.
2. Improves efficiency and productivity of the individuals as well as the teams.
3. Proper training and development can remove bottle-necks in operations.
4. New & improved job positions can be created to make the organization leaner.
5. Keeps employees motivated and refreshes their goals, ambitions and contribution levels.

Disadvantages of training and development

Even though there are several advantages, some drawbacks of training and development are
mentioned below:
1. It is an expensive process which includes arranging the correct trainers and engaging
employees for non-revenue activities.
2. There is a risk that after the training and development session, the employee can quit the job.

Training and Development Example

Training and Development can be setup in any organization. The focus of the organization
should be to train employees on two aspects
1. Job Related Skills
2. Soft Skills
These days there are dedicated portals and self learning courses for employees to enroll and take
them as per their needs. A dedicated training department is setup in the organizations these days
to train the employees on relevant skills.
E.g. Trainings on communication skills, project management skills, AI/ML and other emerging
technologies and skills are priority of such departments.
also these departments have the following responsibilities like:
1. Tie up with training partners or create internal courses and study material
2. Create a simple portal and classroom training system for employees on site or remotely
3. System to track learning and design path for specific roles e.g. managers, sales team etc.
4. Evaluate employees on the trainings completed and reward them accordingly
Training and Development should be part of culture of any good organization and should be
taken at a strategic level. In today's competitive landscape, proper training and development
programs can go a long way in having the competitive edge.