Quote ‘If you think training is expensive, try ignorance.’     Peter Drucker

Most businesses today realise that not to train their staff is to lose competitive advantage and to see their business slide into high labour turnover and inefficient working.

All good training starts with an Evaluation of Need. Training activities need to have purpose and they should be linked to the overall objectives of the organisation. There is no point in wasting valuable resources putting people on courses when this cannot be justified from a business standpoint.

WFD consists of ‘ activities which increase the capacity of individuals to participate effectively in the workplace, thereby improving their productivity and employability’.  There is new a government thrust in this direction which is linked to lifelong learning, and various incentives are available for SMEs to receive help with training needs analysis and the costs of training.  This is designed to assist employers to integrate learning and work and to develop employees to meet companies’ needs. 
 

Find out about WFD schemes called Learning@Work via the Local Business Services category of our Links Page - see Business Link Wessex.  Alternatively contact Gwen Brennan on 01202 639027 for the latest information on grants for the A3 Workforce Development programme.

Training Needs Analysis is a prerequisite for companies embarking on training. This can be carried out internally or by external consultants. It will establish the agenda for training and development in the company and will set out the priorities and the costs necessary to develop the workforce. In short this will provide a business training review usually on an annual basis from which a budget can be agreed. All TNA’s should address needs at 3 levels:-
 

• At the Organisation level - what does the company need to do to achieve its short and long term objectives through people?
• At the Team or Departmental Level - what do these collective groups of people need to enhance performance and deliver the current and future mission of the company?
• At the Individual Level of the employee - what do they need in order to perform better in the job and/or to develop them for future needs?

 

Once you have assessed your needs either using a TNA or from Appraisals or Performance Reviews, and developed your plans you may need help and support to resource the needs you have identified.  This is where Connect2Learning can help to signpost you to training providers, HE/ FE & Adult Education provision, short courses in our area or in adjacent counties or even specialist provisions nationally. 
 

We can also help with identification of alternative learning resources through distance learning or published materials.  Contact us on 0800 138 5550 or email dorsetiag@tribalhubs.com 

Finally every training intervention has to be delivered. nextstep can also help refer you to a range of Training Providers within Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole.  The Training Cycle should be followed [see below] to provide a systematic follow through of all training and development activity in the workforce.

Evaluation is critical to your business performance.

• Has the training done the trick?
• Do you need to do more?
• When will we see the results and when will we follow these up?

 

These questions are vital in moving the organisation forward.
 

Within Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole you may be able to get help with TNA and the cost of training your workforce if you are a small to medium size organisation within specific sectors.  Visit Bournemouth Borough Council’s business website to find out about a range of grants for business.  Go to Bournemouth Borough Council on our links page.  Note: you will need to register to access the full details.