The process of orienting and educating employees in the workplace is known as personnel training. This type of training is frequently associated with entry-level education, which helps new employees prepare for the work they will do. Other times, personnel training entails opportunities for long-term employees to receive continuing or remedial education. In either case, training policies and procedures are usually developed personnel who are dedicated to the task of personnel management and training.
Depending on the company’s function and purpose, the nature of a corporate personnel training program will differ. A conference call bureau, for example, would typically have a formal training period for new hires who will be assigned to customer service representatives or conference operators. A textile company would conduct training that focuses on the operation of specific plant-floor machines. The overarching goal of this type of training is to ensure that each employee has the skills and knowledge required to successfully manage the responsibilities of the position he or she will eventually hold.
While the majority of the training is focused on the tasks that each employee will be responsible for, there is also general information about the company provided. New employee orientation programs typically include sessions in which new employees learn about the company’s history, goals, and mission statement, as well as general information about relevant company policies and procedures. This type of information allows employees to plan ahead of time for almost any situation, from how to change withholding on wages to the procedure for requesting time off.
Not all employee training takes place at the time of hire. Many companies also provide opportunities for long-term employees to continue their education. This type of training may include pre-orientation for new products or operational changes that will affect how employees perform their daily tasks. In some cases, such as continuing sales training, the goal is to introduce the sales force to new techniques or technologies that will aid them in securing more business for the company.
Personnel training can also include remedial training. This type of training is frequently used in an attempt to save an employee who is struggling to meet his or her responsibilities. The idea is to give the employee every opportunity to improve their performance of those responsibilities, thereprotecting the company’s investment in the individual.
While larger corporations typically run their own training programs, smaller businesses may opt to outsource these services. Corporate trainers can create a practical training program that is delivered as and when the company requires it. Some trainers charge the hour, while others charge a flat fee for the entire training period.