Formalized Training Programs: So What's the Big Deal?

Why is it necessary to create formal training and development programs, instead of going with the status quo and training where it's necessary? This question comes up sometimes and is even more powerful given the fact that organizations are trimming their budgets and staffs. Aside from the additional fact that  a formal training program, even in a small company, puts a training framework and culture in place for future growth, formal programs provide other benefits that may not be immediately recognizable.

1. Your program will prove that the organization values knowledge - and the retention that comes with it. I've seen organizations that train new employees on the job, even in the same job groups but in different locations. When these employees discover that they are doing things differently than other people in the same job, they get frustrated. If they find they don't have resources, like "quick reference guides" or tutorials, they get frustrated. This frustration can quickly show itself in a letter of resignation before you've even recouped the cost of training in the first place. Train and retain. It costs less in the short and long runs.
2. A formal training program creates a career path both within job groups and from one job group to another. This is one of those hidden benefits that may show up even without a formal "career path". When associates know they can train for mobility, it gives them something to focus on - and they are more likely to stick around. 
3. Formal training fills the talent pool. This is the organizational equivalent of #2 above. As associates become knowledgeable in other job areas, management begins to see how they can fill key positions in the event of a promotion, resignation, or termination. This succession planning is necessary for growth, retention, and as a way to attract high quality job candidates at every level.
4. From the operations angle, a formal training program documents processes and procedures - and how they should be taught. Some organizations begin a training program before they get around to written policies and procedures. Some use the written policies and procedures as the basis for training. Either way, the formal training program creates a dual documentation that can be used as a cross check at any point.
5. A formal training program aligns the organization with the overall mission and strategy. Internal communications are always a good way to point everyone to the mission and strategy, but the training program ensures that associates are taught their jobs in a way that directly impacts the organization's ability to move forward.

The budget you spend on formal training will pay off in retention, mobility, and succession planning, not to mention the ability to focus on the organization's mission and strategy. 

Find out more about creating your formalized training program at Blue Notebook Communications.