Why workplace training is overlooked in so many companies

To many, training in the workplace is a massive chore that we would rather skip. Whether it is simply learning what feels like common sense, or you have just been told to go over the same training program for the eighth time, it can all feel like you are wading through the same old muck.

However, correctly trained employees are likely to do a better job, be safer while doing it, and feel more empowered to solve problems than they would if that training had been neglected.

Reluctance to take part in training in the workplace

As pointed out above, the first problem is that training is subject to indifference and resistance at all stages of the process. Many workers will see it as a waste of time and as something that actually gets in the way of doing their job. The first-line supervisors and managers tend to see it as hours going out of the business which they can ill afford just to tick a few boxes, and senior management can see it as an unwanted and avoidable expense.

Unfortunately, all three participants in this scenario are wrong.

Why workplace training is absolutely essential

Firstly, much of the training dismissed as common sense (such as the old favourite ‘manual handling’) is a legal requirement. The repercussions for both the company and employee if an incident occurs and training is not up to date can be severe.

Secondly, the ‘hours out of the business’ can be well spent. Training programmes for workplace efficiency such as 5S and Six Sigma can have massive implications for productivity when implemented correctly.

Once you take into account these two factors alone, you can see that any view from senior management that workplace training is an unnecessary expense is, in fact, a dangerous false economy.

Making workplace training more streamlined and up to date

The whole process can be made more appealing to all the parties involved when businesses take a look at the training, update it, streamline it, and outsource it wherever possible.

You probably see training as either death by PowerPoint or watching a dated, low budget video presentation that does nothing for your will to learn. However, the number of additional resources for all elements of workplace training offered by online sources such as Thinqi can streamline the whole process and help training go without a hitch.

Final thoughts

The results of effective training can usually be observed within a short timeframe. When an employee feels empowered by training instead of bored, they will typically be more productive and have the confidence to solve small problems that they would normally escalate to their supervisor.

In turn, the supervisor has more time now to deal with problems rather than constantly firefighting a list of never-ending niggling issues. The knock-on effect of this is usually a better quality of product being placed in front of the customer, which inevitably leads to a far more attractive bottom line for senior management and shareholders.