Exam code:9609
Different types of training
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Businesses need to make sure that new and existing staff are trained and developed appropriately
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Training is the teaching of new skills
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Development is the improvement of existing skills
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1. Induction training
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Induction training is a type of training that new employees receive when they start working for a business
Components of induction training
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Induction trtaining introduces employees to the business, its culture, policies, procedures, and their job roles and responsibilities
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E.g.New employees at Marks & Spencer receive induction training that covers customer service, product knowledge, store policies and safety procedures
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Evaluating induction training
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2. On the job training
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A type of training that takes place while employees are working in their job roles
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Employees learn new skills and knowledge from colleagues while performing their job duties
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E.g. A sous chef at The Ivy Restaurant in York may receive on-the-job training from the Chef to learn how to prepare new dishes, use new equipment, or improve their cooking techniques
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Evaluating on the job training
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3. Off the job training
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A type of training that takes place outside of the workplace
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It can be in the form of workshops, seminars, conferences, or online courses
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E.g. Teachers can attend exam board training days at which they learn how to better teach the syllabus and help their students to prepare for their exams
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Evaluating off the job training
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The impact of training and development
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Effective training can improve employees’ performance, as well as their confidence and motivation in the workplace
Factors affecting the impact of training

1. Type of training provided
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On-the-job training is practical and inexpensive, and allows learning in a real work environment
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However, it may be rushed or poorly structured if the trainer is not experienced, which can reduce how useful the training is
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Off-the-job training is often delivered by professional trainers and may include detailed or specialist content
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However, it can be costly and time-consuming, and employees are not working during this time, reducing productivity
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2. Quality of training
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Training that is well-planned, clearly delivered and engaging helps employees understand and remember the information, and is more likely to improve performance and confidence
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If the training is badly organised, unclear or not suited to the employee’s needs, it may waste time and money without improving skills or results
3. Relevance to job role
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Training must be directly linked to the employee’s daily tasks and responsibilities
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If the training is too general or unrelated, the employee may struggle to apply what they’ve learned to their actual job
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4. Employee attitude
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Training works best when employees are willing to learn and see it as an opportunity for personal growth
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Positive and motivated employees are more likely to engage with training and apply what they learn.
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If employees are not interested or see training as a waste of time, its impact will be much smaller
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5. Follow-up support
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After the initial training, it is important to give employees continued support, such as coaching, mentoring, or feedback
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This helps them practise new skills and feel confident using them over time
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However, without follow-up, employees may forget what they learnt or not know how to apply it properly in real work situations
6. Cost versus benefit
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Training often requires money, time, and resources
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Businesses must decide if the potential benefits, such as higher productivity, better customer service, or lower staff turnover, are worth the cost
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Well-targeted training that leads to noticeable improvements is usually worth the investment
Advantages and disadvantages of training to a business
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Employee development to encourage intrapreneurship
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Intrapreneurship is when employees act like entrepreneurs within a business
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They take initiative, develop new ideas, and look for better ways to do things while still being employed by the company
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They help a business grow by driving innovation, improving processes or creating new products
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Approaches businesses may take to encourage intrapreneurship
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Training in creativity and problem-solving |
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Encouraging idea sharing |
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Job rotation and project work |
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Leadership and personal development programmes |
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Creating a culture of trust and experimentation |
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Employee development to encourage multi-skilling and flexibility
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Multi-skilling means employees are trained to carry out a variety of tasks, not just one specific job
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Flexibility means employees can adapt to different roles, work patterns, or changing business needs
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This might include flexible working hours, remote working or being able to switch between tasks and teams
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Benefits of multi-skilling and flexibility
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Reduces reliance on specific individuals
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When more employees are trained to do the same task, the business can continue running smoothly even if someone is absent
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This avoids delays and reduces pressure on individual workers
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E.g. If a chef is off sick, a multi-skilled kitchen assistant who has been trained in cooking can step in and keep a restaurant’s service running
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Helps the business respond quickly to changes in demand or workload
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Flexible and multi-skilled employees can be moved to busier departments or roles when needed
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This allows the business to handle busy periods or sudden changes without hiring more staff
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E.g. In a retail store, staff trained in both stocking shelves and working on the tills can be moved to the checkout area during peak shopping hours
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Increases employee satisfaction
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Doing different tasks keeps work engaging and helps employees feel more skilled and confident
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Varied work can reduce boredom and increase motivation
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E.g. In a call centre, giving staff the chance to work on different types of calls or help with training new starters can make the job more enjoyable
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Improves productivity and efficiency
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Multi-skilled workers are more useful across the business and can perform several roles
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This reduces downtime and helps the business run smoothly
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E.g. Manufacturing employees who can operate different machines ensure production continues even if one area has fewer staff available
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