Staff training is an important part of professional development and can help to ensure that employees stay up-to-date with work expectations, and to maintain top management skills.
The benefits of regular training
Regular staff training offers many benefits for both employers and employees. It helps keep skills sharp and can lead to increased productivity, improved morale, and a greater sense of job satisfaction among employees.
It also helps employers remain competitive in their field by having more knowledgeable staff who are able to respond better to customer demands.
Why is staff training important?
It is important for workplaces to regularly schedule training for their employees to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their job duties effectively and safely.
Staff training ensures that employees are knowledgeable about industry trends, best practices, and any new regulations. But how often should staff training be organised?
How often should training occur?
The frequency of training will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the workplace, as well as the type of training being provided. Some companies may choose to schedule training on a quarterly or annual basis, while others may have more frequent training sessions for specific skills or topics.
In addition to providing regular formal training sessions, it is also beneficial for employers to offer informal learning opportunities throughout the year.
This could include attending conferences or seminars related to your industry, taking online courses or webinars related to specific topics, or participating in mentorship programs with experienced professionals within your organisation. These activities can help keep employees engaged and motivated while helping them build valuable professional relationships within their company.
Training for different levels of expertise
The frequency and type of training required for each employee depends on their individual level of expertise. It’s important that new employees are supported especially, as they will be getting to grips with a new role.
For more senior roles, it’s still important to maintain regular training sessions, but this is usually in the form of management skills, such as navigating challenging conversations in the workplace.
- For newly hired employees or those transitioning into new roles: 3-4 weeks after the hire date; then once every quarter for the first year; twice per year thereafter.
- For experienced employees: Twice per year; or once every quarter if there are complex technical tasks involved in their job duties (e.g., software engineering).
- For all employees regardless of experience level: Once a month if there are frequent changes in company policies or procedures (e.g., customer service).
Training for different industries
Most experts agree that training should occur at least once a year, but ideally more often than that. This may depend on the complexity of the job or industry, as well as the level of employee turnover.
For example, if your business operates in a highly regulated industry such as finance or healthcare, it may be necessary to provide training more often than once a year in order to stay compliant with all applicable regulations.
If you have a high rate of employee turnover due to promotions or resignations, then it might also be beneficial to provide more frequent training sessions so that new employees can get up to speed quickly.
Ultimately, it is important for employers to assess the needs of their workforce and determine an appropriate schedule for training that meets those needs.
How to organise workplace training
When it comes to workplace training, it’s important to implement frequent training sessions throughout the year. Each business is different, and each will have different training needs. But management training is usually paramount in every business to ensure that all aspects of your workforce are running smoothly.
Being a good leader or manager requires an extra set of skills, not only do you have to be competent at your job, but you also need to be assertive, diplomatic and empathetic. One of the key concerns with management training is the ability to engage in difficult conversations at work.
At Leading Edge Leadership, we offer a range of management training courses, from becoming a great leader to knowing how to mentor effectively. We also offer a range of non-managerial training workshops, both virtual and face-to-face, such as learning how to be more motivated or how to think strategically.
In general, it is a good idea to conduct staff training on a regular basis to ensure that your team has the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. This may mean conducting training once a quarter, once a year, or somewhere in between, depending on the specific needs of your organisation.
Whatever training your business needs, we’ve got you covered at Leading Edge Leadership. Contact us today to enquire about our training programmes.
