CORPORATE TRAINERS PRESSED TO LIMIT TIME-OFF-JOB

A new study finds that corporate trainers are being pressed to minimize employee time off the job.

BOSTON  --  A new study finds that corporate trainers are being pressed to minimize employee time off the job.  As a result, development professionals report reduced classroom hours, more training done on-the-job and greater reliance on e-learning, according to findings of a survey of 2,000 human resources and T&D executives by Novations Group, a global consulting firm based in Boston. 

 The study reflects growing demand for accountability, said Novations Senior Vice President Rebecca Hefter.  “Corporate training always evolves and adapts, and right now the challenge is to justify what we do in terms of quantifiable outcomes and contribution to the bottom line.  Nevertheless, this isn’t a matter of senior management not valuing leadership or employee development.  In fact, our study suggests the investment in training continues to rise.  But the trend is away from the classroom…and a greater effort to tie learning to day-to-day challenges in the workplace.”
 

Are you experiencing any of the following trends within your organization?

(Please select all that apply.)

 More online/e-learning                                                       57%

Greater effort to quantify results of training/development     42%

Increased on-the-job training                                             41%

Personal coaching                                                              35%

Fewer classroom hours/more condensed classroom time     30%

Outsourcing of trainers/facilitation resources                        25%

More pod-casting                                                              10%

 In order to limit employee time-off-the-job trainers are integrating classroom learning with follow up methods such as conference calls and net meetings, explained Hefter.  “We want to extend the learning experience beyond the classroom, so we’re using learning logs, job aids, action plans and even printed reminders.”
 Although instructor-led training is still the number-one method, others seem to be gaining ground.
 
With respect to training delivery methods, which of the following will your organization utilize in the year ahead?  (Please select all that apply.)
 

Classroom training (instructor-led)                                      87%

On-the-job (OTJ) training                                                  79%

Seminars/webinars                                                             78%
Coaching/mentoring                                                           66%

e-learning/self-paced study                                                 64%

University programs                                                           33%

Simulations                                                                        22%
 

At the same time, trainers are seeking to bring the workplace into the classroom, Hefter said.   “Companies want training that’s relevant and with exercises that closely simulate the way work is conducted on the job.  Case studies where teams solve real work problems are very popular.”

The Novations Group Internet survey of 2,046 senior HR and development executives was completed in December 2006 by Equation Research.
 
Novations Group is a leading provider of consulting and training services on four continents. Novations is recognized for its expertise in diversity & inclusion, employee engagement, talent management, employee selection, leadership development, organization communications, sales training, customer service and project management.  For more information, visit www.novations.com.
 
Contact: Pat FitzGerald, Novations, 617-787-2163, pfitzgerald[at]novations.com, or Phil Ryan, Ryan Public Relations, 845-339-7858.
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