Employee training and development strategies

Training and Development

"Training is an intensive process whereby an employee's job behavior is modified.

Training prepares and enables a person to perform job tasks at a greater level of efficiency"

(Hertig, as cited in Colling & York, 2009, p. 233).

Training Method Options

If Equipped for Life does not successfully train its staff and volunteers to more effectively confront current challenges Staff and volunteers regularly experience regarding maintaining order at the group's weekly dinner and socially-oriented meetings -- the organization's programs could ultimately "fail." At times, according to Shek and Wai (2008) in their study, "Training workers implementing adolescent prevention and positive youth development programs: What have we learned from the literature?" when an adolescent program reflects negative results rather than preventive effects, the organization's program could be attacked. Rather than the program or its curriculum constituting the problem, however, the organization's lack of implementing training for Staff and its volunteers could contribute to the organization's loss of support.

Training can increase the motivation and self-efficacy of the organization's staff and volunteers; teach these individuals self-reflective skills, enhance their open-mindedness. Training can also provide demonstrations as well as implement active participation and open discussion regarding concerns regarding ways to help the adolescent more fully participate in the organization's program (Hamilton, 2010). Diread Sample, the executive director of Equipped for Life, recently determined to implement training to address the ongoing Thursday night group challenges. During this paper, the writer considers the method of delivery for this training; considering three different training methods: 1) Group Training; 2) Individual Training; 3) Combined Group and Individual Training. For each training method, the writer conducts an analysis and identifies the advantages and disadvantages of each method with regard to Equipped for Life's desired outcomes. Ultimately, the writer identifies the method that would likely work best for Equipped for Life.

The literature does not confirm, albeit, that one "best" treatment exists for adolescents experiencing particular problems, nor does purport any one "best" training method has yet been confirmed for training of staff who work with adolescents. Instead, a number of effective training options exist within the three training methods this paper highlights. In the book The treatment of drinking problems: A guide to the helping professions, Marshall, Humphreys, Ball, Cook, and Edwards (2010) note that training relating to the following, however, not limited to these, could positively contribute to Staff interactions with youth as well as be used by Staff to later train youth:

1. Motivational enhancement

2. Self-change manual (bibliotherapy)

3. Behavioural self-control training

4. Social skills training.

Group Training

Group training can save time and also prove to be cost effective as an organization may train more than one staff member simultaneously. According to Hayes and Ninemeier (2008) in the book, Human resources management in the hospitality industry, group training permits the organization to provide a massive amount of information during a limited amount of time.

Disadvantages noted in group training usually relate to the problems with or failure to integrate the individual disparities of trainees into the training. "Group training does not typically allow the trainer to focus on a specific trainee's knowledge and experience, speed of learning, or desire to receive immediate and individualized feedback" (Hayes & Ninemeier, p. 230). Sometimes, group training requires that the organization follow-up with individualized training to permit the trainee to learn explicit tasks the position requires.

In the book, The art of solution focused therapy, Connie and Metcalf (2009) explain that Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) serves as a distinctive, goal-directed strategy designed to help clients regain self-rule by forming and achieving their own goals. Group training in SFT could help Staff and volunteers as the trainer encourages them not to focus on problems, but solutions. As Staff and volunteers at Equipped for Life learn to more effectively plan to reach goals, this training could transition into practices Staff and volunteers could also implement to help youth attending Thursday evening gatherings.

Individual Training

During the application of individual training, the trainer considers the trainee's experience and knowledge, learning capability and speed, and/or the individual's desire for direct and immediate feedback. Individual training, albeit, does not permit the organization to provide as much informaiton as generally occurs during group training. When an organization trains one staff member at a time, the venture typically costs more money than group training and requires a longer period of time to train all staff (Hayes & Ninemeier, 2008). Nelson (2005) explains in the book, Education and training in solution-focused brief therapy, that as Staff members recognize their personal problem behavior evidenced in their personal and professions lives, most of them will struggle to ascertain ways to change it. In both group and individual training realms, SFT serves as a highly effective practice that works to transition from focusing on "problem" behavior to "solution" behavior in only a few sessions.

Combined Group and Individual Training

When an organization chooses to implement combined group and individual training programs; combining group training sessions with individual educational exercises, the trainees experience the advantages of both individual and group training. (Hayes & Ninemeier, 2008). In the book, Doing something different, Nelson (2010) asserts that the solution-focused approach complements a plethora of ideas for training and coaching Staff in a variety of settings. In both group and individual training, SFA finds something that captures the interest and stimulates the senses and sensibilities of trainees, they will leave training not only entertained, but also thoughtful and informed.

The Likely "Best" Method

Staff, volunteers, Board members, and Sample share interest in dramatically improving Equipped for Life's Thursday night sessions (Ghul, 2005). At times group training better addresses common concersn. These individuals also differ, however, in some personal characteristics and could benefit more at times from individual training. Therefore, the writer asserts, Staff and volunteers will likely best respond to combined group and individual training. Switek (2005) recommends role reversal routines during group training; with the following:

Start from NEEDS go to GOALS go to POSSIBILITIES

start from NEEDS go to go POSSIBILITIES to GOALS

start from GOALS go to NEEDS go to POSSIBILITIES

start from GOALS go to POSSIBILITIES go to NEEDS

start from POSSIBILITIES go to GOALS go to NEEDS