Methods of training
There are different ways to train staff and each method has its own costs and benefits. Different methods include:
- apprenticeships
- graduate training schemes
- corporate training schemes
- work-based qualifications
- continuing professional development
Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is a method of paid A hands-on method of teaching the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed for employees to perform a specific job. that combines learning practical skills with theoretical knowledge.
Formal qualifications are gained while working and learning on-the job combined with days at college as required.
| Costs | Benefits |
| Involves a high degree of supervision from experienced staff members which can be time consuming | Professional qualifications can be gained |
| Apprentices may make mistakes while they are training which may harm the reputation of the company | Training is specifically tailored to suit the firms needs and job role |
| Apprentices are paid a wage while they are training | Less costly as training takes place while performing the job |
| No guarantee of job security once apprenticeship is completed |
| Costs | Involves a high degree of supervision from experienced staff members which can be time consuming |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Professional qualifications can be gained |
| Costs | Apprentices may make mistakes while they are training which may harm the reputation of the company |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Training is specifically tailored to suit the firms needs and job role |
| Costs | Apprentices are paid a wage while they are training |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Less costly as training takes place while performing the job |
| Costs | No guarantee of job security once apprenticeship is completed |
|---|---|
| Benefits |
Graduate training schemes
Graduate training schemes are programs offered by companies to people who have recently gained a degree qualification from university.
They normally last between one and two years and allow the graduate to experience different aspects of the business throughout their training.
| Costs | Benefits |
| No guarantee of a job at the end of the training scheme | Gives graduates experience of a working environment |
| Can be time consuming to carry out the on-the-job training required | Graduates can gain the skills required to work permanently for the organisation |
| Graduate might leave once training is completed | Graduates can experience different departments and gain a range of skills |
| Organisation can decide where best to employ graduates at the end of the training scheme |
| Costs | No guarantee of a job at the end of the training scheme |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Gives graduates experience of a working environment |
| Costs | Can be time consuming to carry out the on-the-job training required |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Graduates can gain the skills required to work permanently for the organisation |
| Costs | Graduate might leave once training is completed |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Graduates can experience different departments and gain a range of skills |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Organisation can decide where best to employ graduates at the end of the training scheme |
Corporate training schemes
Corporate training schemes are offered by organisations to employees within the company.
The employees will participate in training courses to further develop their skills within the organisation.
It ensures employees can learn new skills to enhance the quality of their work or to advance within the organisation. The training can take place at college, external training providers or within the organisation.
Some corporate training schemes can include ICT, leadership/management, time management, communication or customer service.
| Costs | Benefits |
| Can be time consuming to carry out the training required | Standard of work can improve through training |
| Can be costly for the organisation to provide training and subsequent wage rises | Employees will be more motivated |
| Costs | Can be time consuming to carry out the training required |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Standard of work can improve through training |
| Costs | Can be costly for the organisation to provide training and subsequent wage rises |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Employees will be more motivated |
Work-based qualifications
Work-based qualification are formal qualifications that can be gained while working. Employees will learn the skills required to gain the qualification while carrying out their job.
| Costs | Benefits |
| Qualifications can take a long time if completed on a part-time basis | Training is specifically tailored to suit the firms needs |
| Employee may leave the organisation once qualification is gained | Training takes place in the work place so minimal cost to the organisation |
| Costly to pay for people to carry out the training | Employees can gain a recognised qualification |
| Standard of work can improve through training | |
| Employee has a better chance of promotion or a wage rise when qualification is gained |
| Costs | Qualifications can take a long time if completed on a part-time basis |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Training is specifically tailored to suit the firms needs |
| Costs | Employee may leave the organisation once qualification is gained |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Training takes place in the work place so minimal cost to the organisation |
| Costs | Costly to pay for people to carry out the training |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Employees can gain a recognised qualification |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Standard of work can improve through training |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Employee has a better chance of promotion or a wage rise when qualification is gained |
Continuing professional development (CPD)
Continued professional development is training that takes place through a career to ensure that employees stay up to date with the knowledge and skills required to do a job or advance in their career.
CPD can take the form of on-line training, conferences, events, workshops or meetings.
| Costs | Benefits |
| May take people away from their work in order to complete training | Improves the skills of staff which can lead to better quality goods or service |
| Can cost the organisation money to send workers on training courses | Motivates staff as they are better able to do their job and feel the company is investing in their training |
| Ensures the organisation keeps staff up to date with mandatory training requirements |
| Costs | May take people away from their work in order to complete training |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Improves the skills of staff which can lead to better quality goods or service |
| Costs | Can cost the organisation money to send workers on training courses |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Motivates staff as they are better able to do their job and feel the company is investing in their training |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Ensures the organisation keeps staff up to date with mandatory training requirements |