Employee training is one of the most important factors for organizational success, as it helps a workforce enhance their skills and reach their maximum potential. It is how they continually learn and grow, making them more satisfied with their jobs. And you know that happy employees are productive employees.
Moreover, a 2018 Skills Gap Report by Udemy shows that 51% of employees would leave a company if it doesn’t provide them with necessary training. Facilitating regular learning will also help you retain your employees.
With that in mind, take a look at the top 14 ways to train your employees and help them grow:
1. In-House Classes and Seminars
In-house classes held by professional instructors are helpful in creating customized employee training aligned with your core values and goals. The same goes for onsite seminars.
Both of these learning and development programs are very cost-effective, as you can train your entire workforce inside your company walls.
2. Business Classes at Colleges and Universities
Many colleges and universities, as well as lots of technical schools, provide various business classes for professional learning and development.
You don’t have to worry about your employees missing work because business classes are held in the evening and over the weekend.
3. Professional Associations Seminars and Conferences
Professional association seminars and conferences are useful in furthering your employees’ careers and upgrading their skills.
What’s more, they can stay on top of industry trends, and learn all about the latest methods and principles for better performance.
4. Workshops
Professional workshops are one of the best ways to develop your employees.
Not only will these workshops aid your staff in gaining more knowledge and enhancing their skills, but they’ll also give people an opportunity to network, improve communication skills, and strengthen their professional relationships.
5. Mentoring Programs
Mentoring programs can empower employees in that they get an opportunity to work closely with professionals who can truly help them learn the trade and grow.
Mentors or work buddies can share expertise, and provide the right kind of support that, for instance, new employees need to perform at their best.
6. Coaching
Coaching creates positive work experiences and facilitates open communication necessary for effective employee performance. It pushes workers in the right direction for achieving your company’s goals.
Hire a business coach who knows how to prioritize the goals and select the right path to achieving them. A qualified coach can help your employees complete their tasks efficiently and effectively.
7. Creating a Book Club
Coming up with a book club at work will enable your workers to learn new concepts, and share ideas and knowledge with one another. They’ll strengthen their relationships, improve their communication skills, and practice leadership roles.
You can provide them with business books for improving their skills, but also let them recommend books. Determine the reading deadline, make a schedule for in-person discussion, and make sure everyone’s ideas are heard.
8. Online Training Courses
Utilizing employee training software to create and deliver online training courses allows employees to learn anytime, anywhere.
You’ll also be able to monitor their progress in real time, and jump in whenever someone needs help.
9. Inspiring A Learning Environment
Create a learning environment in your organization that inspires your workforce to learn and grow continually. Communicate your expectations clearly, and motivate your employees constantly to work smarter.
You can also create a relaxing room where they can engage in their book club reading or dive into other resources for training.
10. Access to Professional Resources
Give your employees access to a professional library, or create an online knowledge base that they can access 24/7, on any device.
Making various professional resources available anytime and anywhere will help them learn at their own pace, and save them a lot of time on research.
11. Facilitating Everyday Learning
Make sure you make employee training a part of each workday. Encourage your employees to engage in your online courses every day, and offer them work-time support for learning.
12. Flexible Work Schedule
Enable flexible work schedules so that your workforce can actually have the time for training and development. They will need this time for all the classes, workshops, and seminars you’ve prepared for them.
13. Free Conferences and Professional Association Memberships
If you organize professional association seminars and conferences, make sure you pay for memberships and conference attendance. If you don’t, you may not motivate all your workers to attend. Those events are crucial for their training and development.
14. College Tuition Reimbursement
If you offer your employees an opportunity to attend business classes at colleges and universities, make sure you cover their tuition. If they need to provide any out-of-pocket payments during their courses, you should reimburse those as well after each semester. College tuition reimbursement will motivate your employees to enroll in business courses, which is important, especially if some of them cannot afford to pay for the classes themselves.A