Assignment on Various Off-the-Job Training Methods

Course Title: Strategic Human Resource Management Course Code: HRM-604

Prepared for Awal Al Kabir Course Instructor Faculty of Business ASA University Bangladesh

Prepared By Abu Md. Zakaria ID: 12-3-14-0113 Section: A Batch: 17th

Date of Submission 29 August 2013 Training and Development

Human Resource Management, training and development is the field which is concerned with organizational activity aimed at bettering the performance of individuals and groups in organizational settings. It has been known by several names, including human resource development, and learning and development. Training and development (T&D) encompasses three main activities: training, education, and development. Garavan, Costine, and Heraty, of the Irish Institute of Training and Development, note that these ideas are often considered to be synonymous. However, to practitioners, they encompass three separate, although interrelated, activities

Training: This activity is both focused upon, and evaluated against, the job that an individual currently holds. Education: This activity focuses upon the jobs that an individual may potentially hold in the future, and is evaluated against those jobs. Development: This activity focuses upon the activities that the organization employing the individual, or that the individual is part of, may partake in the future, and is almost impossible to evaluate.

Training Methods There are two broad types of training available to businesses: 1. On-the-job and 2. Off-the-job techniques. Individual circumstances and the "who," "what" and "why" of your training program determine which method to use. On-the-job training is delivered to employees while they perform their regular jobs. In this way, they do not lose time while they are learning. After a plan is developed for what should be taught, employees should be informed of the details. A timetable should be established with periodic evaluations to inform employees about their progress. On-the-job techniques include orientations, job instruction training, apprenticeships, internships and assistantships, job rotation and coaching.

Off the job training: Off-the-job techniques include lectures, special study, films, television conferences or discussions, case studies, role playing, simulation, programmed instruction and laboratory training. Most of these techniques can be used by small businesses although, some may be too costly.

1. Lecture Method

In lecture method trainers used to communicate with spoken words which they want the trainees to learn; it is primarily one way communication of learned capabilities from trainer to audience. Lecture method is a popular training methods despite of advanced new technologies such as interactive video and computer assisted instruction, it is least expensive and least time consuming way to present large amount of information efficiently in organized manner. It can be employed with large groups of trainees, it also supports other training methods like behavior modeling and technology based techniques.

Advantages of lecture method

It reinforces trainers credibility and authority. Information is concentrated and organized as desired. Efficient and simple and lots of material can be presented within given time. Can be personalized easily.

Disadvantages lecture method

One way communication with relatively less participation or passive participation. The attention span of listener is normally 15-20 minutes. Depends completely on trainers effectiveness and information. A clear and rigorous verbal presentation requires a great deal of preparation and hence time consuming preparation.

2. Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a formalized method of training curriculum program that combines classroom education with on-the-job work under close supervision. The training curriculum is planned in advance and conducted in careful steps from day to day. Most trade apprenticeship programs have duration of three to four years before an apprentice is considered completely accomplished in that trade or profession. This method is appropriate for training in crafts, trades and technical areas, especially when proficiency in a job is the result of a relatively long training or apprenticeship period, e.g., job of a craftsman, a machinist, a printer, a tool maker, a pattern designer, a mechanic, etc.

Advantages of Apprenticeship:

You get paid. The level of pay depends on your employer and the skill area in which you are training. You will learn by a combination of attending college, your training provider and your employer. You gain recognized qualifications - NVQs, Key Skills and a Technical Certificate. You will be trained to do a job.

Disadvantages of Apprenticeship:

If you want to go to university it may take longer to get there with some Apprenticeships, depending on the subject area. If you want to continue to study at a higher level on a part-time basis this will also take longer - but remember, you need to balance this against the future debt of full-time study. You may be more suited to classroom study and full time education. Not all occupations offer Apprenticeships, so you may have no option but to take the academic route.

3. Simulations
It represents real life situations regarding trainees decisions resulting in outcomes that reflects what would happen if they were on the job. Simulations allow trainees to see impact of their decisions in an artificial, risk free environment. It is used to teach production and process skills as well as management and interpersonal skills. Simulation closely mimics work environment. Simulators replicate the physical equipment that employees use on the job. Advantages of Simulation

Trainee can concentrate on learning without involving much risk. Interest and motivation are high as real job conditions are duplicated. This method is helpful in cases where on the job training might result in a serious injury and destruction of valuable equipment and material.

Example: Aeronautical industry Disadvantages of Simulation

It is an expensive method. Need constant updating as new informaiton about work environment is obtained

4. Case Studies

This method involves studying cases from all perspectives, analyzing the various options available to the company for solving problems or address issues and arriving at most suitable answers. Trainers develop a habit of looking at problems from various perspectives and hence their decisions as managers will be more realistic and based on sound study and analysis.

Advantages of Case Studies

It promotes analytical thinking. It encourages open mindedness. It is acceptable to everyone as it deals with detailed description of real life situations.

Disadvantages:

It may suppress the voice of average trainees as only those having analytical and vocal skills will dominate the sessions Preparations of cases involve expenditure and time and the outcome is not quite certain.

5.

Role Play

The trainees act out a given role as they would in a stage play. Role players are informed of a situation about the respective roles that they have to play. Role playing basically covers topics such as employee-employer relationships, hiring, firing, conducting a post-appraisal interview.

Advantages of Role Play

The outcome and feedback is known immediately. Trainees participate in entire proceedings and so they take interest and are involved. It develops skill in applying knowledge in areas of human relations. It brings about desired changes in behavior and attitudes as the trainees are motivated to think.

Disadvantages:

Role playing may sometimes not adhere to the objectives of training program. The trainees may deviate from the subject being discussed and start giving unrelated examples and explanations. Re-enforcement of the desired behavior may be lacking unless follow-up discussion are organized to assess the impact of the session.

6. Business games
This method requires trainees to gather information, analyze it and make decisions. Business games are primarily used for management skill development. Games stimulate learning because participants are actively involved and because games mimic the competitive nature of business. The type of decisions that participants make in games may include all aspects of management practice i.e. labor relations, ethics, marketing and finance.

Advantages of Business games

The game helps dealer to develop skills needed for business success. Participant must work as team. Cohesive groups are developed.

Disadvantages:

Factual information cannot be taught through this training.

7. Behavior-modeling:
Behavior-modeling training is a form of skill-development training that is distinguished by the manner in which it integrates knowledge about and experience with. Both of these elements are essential for effective skill training. To illustrate: think of what we must do to master some skill, such as dancing, driving a car, or making a presentation. We must go beyond merely reading about, hearing about, or observing the techniques involvedwe must add guided practice, feedback, and adjusted practice. It is a technique developed to replicate the achievements of high level performers. It means observing the technicalities of their competence, creating a model of that behavior and teaching

it. For example, if you follow the exact steps someone took to achieve a certain thing, you will achieve it too. Advantages of Behavior Modeling

Provides trainees opportunity to practice the key behaviors More appropriate for learning skills and behaviors than factual information Effective for teaching interpersonal and computer skills

Disadvantages of Behavior Modeling

Trainees sometimes cannot replicate to the model who demonstrate key behavior. This Method is not applicable to all the levels of employees in an institution. There is possible threat that trainees can learn the negativity of the model.

8. Vestibule method of training:

It means training in class room for semi skilled jobs. Here large number of employees can be trained at the same time for same type of work. That emphasizes on learning rather than the production. Here the attempt is made to create the similar type of working conditions as actual. It is generally given to clerks, typists etc. but this kind of training is expensive as it requires duplicate machines to learn the skill. Advantages of Vestibule Training

The workers are trained as if on the job Training does not interfere with the more vital task of production. Transfer of skills and knowledge to the workplace is not required since the classroom is a model of the working environment.

Disadvantages of Vestibule Training

This Method is very expensive. It duplicates the production line and has a small learner to trainer ratio.

Conclusion:

Off-the-job training allows employees to focus on the learning objectives without the distractions of on-site daily operations. Training and development workshops, such as retreats or strategic planning events, provide opportunities for busy professionals to get away from routine tasks. Instead of answering phones, designing products, working on spreadsheets, attending meetings or supporting customers, employees get the chance to develop the skills they need to further their careers. Off-site events usually involve engaging an outside facilitator who can expertly guide the team through training activities. Measuring the effectiveness of the off-the-job training typically occurs at four levels. Each of the discussed eight off-the job training methods is significant methods of training for various type of job skill. If we look to the broader perspective, we will see that, through various training human resource is becoming skillful.