Training (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Business): Revision Note

The importance of training

• Training is the process of increasing the knowledge and skills of the workforce to enable them to perform their jobs effectively

• There are three main types of training that businesses commonly use

• Businesses need to make sure that new and existing staff are trained and developed appropriately

Importance of training for the business:

• Staff are more productive and make fewer mistakes

• Staff are more adaptable to change

• Internal promotion becomes easier, saving recruitment costs

• Customers may receive better service

• Staff are less likely to leave, reducing turnover

Importance of training for employees:

• Feel valued and motivated

• Improve their skills and confidence

• Safer working environment

• Better chances of promotion and higher pay

Induction training

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

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

  • For example, induction training for new employee at Marks & Spencer covers customer service procedures, product knowledge, store policies and safety procedures

 Common elements of induction training  

• 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

Evaluating induction training

On-the-job training

• On-the-job training occurs when employees learn skills and knowledge from colleagues while performing their job duties

  • It takes place while employees are working in their job roles

  • It can involve work shadowing, in-house training sessions or IT-based training programmes

  • For example, a sous chef at The Ivy Restaurant in York receives on-the-job training from the Head Chef to learn how to prepare new dishes, use equipment and improve cooking techniques

Evaluating on-the-job training

Off-the-job training

• Off-the-job training takes place away from or outside of the workplace

  • It can be in the form of college/university courses, workshops, seminars, conferences or online courses

    • For example, teachers attend exam board training days, where they learn how to deliver the syllabus and help students prepare for exams

Evaluating off-the-job training