Q&A - What is involved in a training strategy?

Effective training starts with a “training strategy”. The three stages of a training strategy are:

• Identify the skills and abilities needed by employees
• Draw up an action plan to show how investment in training and development will help meet business goals and objectives
• Implement the plan, monitoring progress and training effectiveness

Given the costs involved, you might not be surprised to learn that many businesses do not invest enough in training. Some firms don’t invest anything in training! Here are the most common reasons for under-investment in training:

They fear employees will be poached by competitors (who will then benefit from the training)

• A desire to minimise short-term costs
• They cannot make a justifiable investment case
• Training takes time to have the desired effect – management are impatient!
• Sometimes the benefits of training are more intangible (e.g. morale) than tangible – so they are harder to measure