Zemen Radar

One of the greatest benefits that employers can give their staff is the opportunity for training and development.

Admittedly long holidays, company car schemes and profit-sharing are all very attractive incentives, yet numerous studies have shown that, in many cases, learning at work is valued even more highly than a salary increase.

Half hearted attempts at training can actually do more damage than good, especially if some people are receiving development and others aren’t. For businesses to easily keep track and create training programmes for all staff, a learning management system is invaluable.

Not only can it ensure that the right people have the right training for compliance and regulatory reasons, the gruelling administrative side can be absolved by the software, freeing up man hours for those who formerly kept manual training records.

Why is it that training is so important to individuals and why should your business invest in it?

Well, for a start, it proves the employee is valued. We are working in times where financial reward may have slowed down or been reduced and where employees might be feeling a little insecure about the future of their jobs.

However, providing training demonstrates the business is prepared to invest money into their workforce because they want to keep them. This is all the more impressive when employees are made aware of budget constraints; training has remained a priority.

Learning a new skill, gaining a qualification or simply adding another ‘string to the bow’ means that the individual is improving their own prospects for promotion, which should never be underestimated.

While equipping them for roles outside the business is not the aim, it could be suggested that training does come under the employer’s duty of care, especially if chances for internal progression are limited.

Most people take pride in their work and learning a new skill or gaining an accreditation which can help them carry out their job competently, will make them feel more engaged, motivated and productive. Learning opportunities are a great retention tool.

Ultimately, as a business, you can’t lose. A high performing, trained workforce can seriously effect the bottom line and give you a competitive edge. Isn’t that what we all want?