GCSEBusinessOCRRevision Notes3. People3.6 Training & DevelopmentThe Importance of Training & Development

The Importance of Training & Development (OCR GCSE Business): Revision Note

Exam code: J204

Lisa Eades

Written by: Lisa Eades

Reviewed by: Steve Vorster

Updated on

Why businesses train workers

  • Both new and existing staff need to be trained and developed appropriately

    • Training is the teaching of specific new skills and knowledge

    • Development is the improvement of existing skills or enhancement of worker skills over time

Training is needed when new employees start work, to share important diversity and safety details, to inform workers of product changes and to improve customer service skills
Training is needed when new employees start work, to share important diversity and safety details, inform workers of product changes and improve customer service skills

  • Some training is required to meet legal requirements

    • Food safety regulations require workers to be trained in the safe handling of ingredients

    • Businesses must ensure that some workers have first-aid training

    • Employees working with hazardous chemicals must receive appropriate training

Factors that determine the training provided

The choice of training is affected by costs, the type of training needed and the skills of employees
The approach to training is affected by costs, the type of training needed and the skills of employees

The cost of training

  • The cost of training and development can be significant, especially if businesses make use of external training providers or enrol staff on courses to achieve formal qualifications such as degrees

    • Businesses that are in a weak financial position often scale back training programmes, preferring cheaper on the job approaches

The type of training

  • The needs of workers will usually determine the type of training or development required

    • Business-specific knowledge and skills may be best delivered in-house, as external course providers are unlikely to be able to meet trainees' needs fully

    • Professional qualifications are often delivered by colleges or universities

Existing employee skills

  • Employees' existing skills and experience will determine how much and at what level of training or development they should be involved

    • Experienced employees with effective communication skills are often well-placed to deliver training or oversee the development of others

    • In some cases, there may be concern that poor working practices may be passed on to other employees

Induction training

  • Induction training is usually delivered as soon as possible after new workers join a business

  • It introduces employees to the organisation, its culture, policies, procedures and their job roles and responsibilities

    • E.g. Induction training for new employee at Marks & Spencer covers customer service procedures, product knowledge, store policies and safety procedures

Seven green triangles list induction topics: tour of premises, meeting key colleagues, HR procedures, IT policies, company culture, role duties, health and safety.
Induction training usually includes a tour of the premises, meeting key colleagues and instruction on key business policies  

  • Some aspects of induction training need to be revisited by employees regularly

    • Health and safety training needs to be carried out regularly, especially when new regulations come into effect

    • When business policies change, employees need to understand the implications for their job role

Evaluation of induction training

Advantages

Disadvantages

  • It helps new employees understand their job roles and responsibilities

  • Improves employee confidence and motivation

  • Reduces time for new employees to become productive

  • It can be time-consuming and expensive to organise

  • May not cover all aspects of the job role

  • May not be effective in all cases, leading to employee dissatisfaction and higher turnover rates

Examiner Tips and Tricks

A common misconception is that training only occurs at the start of employment. However, training is usually ongoing and, in many cases, businesses invest heavily in staff training over the whole period of workers' employment.

Benefits of training and development

  • Training and developing a workforce is beneficial to a business for several reasons

Benefits of training and development

Benefit

Explanation

Productive staff

  • Employees work enthusiastically at the things they’re good at 

    • E.g. Employees trained in managing quality are more likely to think about how to improve product standards

  • Output levels of well-trained staff are likely to increase, as they are confident in business processes and work efficiently

Valued staff

  • Well-trained employees are likely to be satisfied

  • They recognise that their employer is spending money and investing time in their development

  • This is attractive to job applicants

Loyal and flexible staff

  • Labour retention should increase as employees feel they are becoming better at their job and want to keep developing

  • Skilled and confident staff are likely to be capable of taking on new workplace challenges

Attracting staff

  • High-calibre applicants are often attracted to vacancies that offer strong training opportunities

  • This helps to grow a talented workforce which is likely to perform well

Customer-focused staff

  • Well-trained staff are likely to offer high standards of customer service

  • This should minimise complaints and help to build a good business reputation

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Lisa Eades

    Author: Lisa Eades

    Expertise: Business Content Creator

    Lisa has taught A Level, GCSE, BTEC and IBDP Business for over 20 years and is a senior Examiner for Edexcel. Lisa has been a successful Head of Department in Kent and has offered private Business tuition to students across the UK. Lisa loves to create imaginative and accessible resources which engage learners and build their passion for the subject.

    Steve Vorster

    Reviewer: Steve Vorster

    Expertise: Economics & Business Subject Lead

    Steve has taught A Level, GCSE, IGCSE Business and Economics - as well as IBDP Economics and Business Management. He is an IBDP Examiner and IGCSE textbook author. His students regularly achieve 90-100% in their final exams. Steve has been the Assistant Head of Sixth Form for a school in Devon, and Head of Economics at the world's largest International school in Singapore. He loves to create resources which speed up student learning and are easily accessible by all.