Types of training
There are three main types of training carried out in the workplace.
- induction
- on-the-job
- off-the-job
Induction
Induction training is offered to new employees when they join an organisation and usually includes:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Employees will settle quickly into the job | Takes time so reduces output |
| Employees will be made aware of important health and safety issues before starting the job | |
| Employees will understand who the main personnel in the organisation are |
| Advantages | Employees will settle quickly into the job |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | Takes time so reduces output |
| Advantages | Employees will be made aware of important health and safety issues before starting the job |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages |
| Advantages | Employees will understand who the main personnel in the organisation are |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages |
On-the-job training is training that is undertaken in your place of work. Businesses can carry out several different types of on-the-job training:
Coaching
An experienced member of staff will work through a task step-by-step with an employee.
The experienced member of staff or ‘coach’ will support the employee through the learning process by passing on their knowledge and skills.
Role play
Role play involves acting out a scenario to see how an employee would perform under certain conditions.
This will allow the employee to practise appropriate ways to deal with situations that may occur in the workplace.
Job rotation
Members of staff can be rotated or moved through different jobs within the organisation so they acquire a range of skills from each department or job role.
Shadowing
Shadowing is when an employee observes another employee working to gain a better understanding of how they do their job. This is usually for a set period of time such as a few days.
Demonstration
Demonstration is when an employee watches a task or a particular process being carried out and then attempts the task/process themselves.
On-the-job training has a number of advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Training is specific to the company’s needs | Quality of training may not be as good |
| Work is not interrupted by staff attending training courses outwith the office | May pick up bad habits from other workers |
| May be cheaper as internal training does not need to be paid for | Concentration may be poor due to work interruptions |
| Employees will feel more at ease |
| Advantages | Training is specific to the company’s needs |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | Quality of training may not be as good |
| Advantages | Work is not interrupted by staff attending training courses outwith the office |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | May pick up bad habits from other workers |
| Advantages | May be cheaper as internal training does not need to be paid for |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | Concentration may be poor due to work interruptions |
| Advantages | Employees will feel more at ease |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages |
Off-the-job training
Off-the-job training is training that is undertaken outside the place of work. This training can take place at many locations such as colleges or training centres.
Colleges
Colleges are formal places of learning where employees can take a specific course. This may be through:
- evening classes
Training centres
A training centre is a location specifically designed for training. Staff are sent to training centres to learn new skills.
Off-the-job training has a number of advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Higher quality training usually delivered by experts | Cost of external training courses may be high |
| Higher levels of concentration as less interruptions | Productivity decreases due to time being spent away from the place of work |
| Employees may learn skills that are not relevant to the business |
| Advantages | Higher quality training usually delivered by experts |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | Cost of external training courses may be high |
| Advantages | Higher levels of concentration as less interruptions |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | Productivity decreases due to time being spent away from the place of work |
| Advantages | |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | Employees may learn skills that are not relevant to the business |
