Often in-house IT training is housed by the IT Department or outsourced by the HR Department. It would seem that neither course of action is appropriate and that what is called for is a marriage between IT and HR.
This marriage may not at first be a marriage of obvious convenience, but if built upon can reap rich and successful relationships and cost-effective business. I have been researching the areas where IT Training, can be a bridge between the 'mechanical logical' world of IT and the 'communicative and relationship-rich' arena of HR. My research has centred on specific sector of small or medium enterprises but the research findings probably apply to
the wider SME community and therefore solutions relevant.
Ways of improving IT skills development:
- Cultural issues between IT and 'users' need to be addressed via corporate-wide initiatives that foster understanding of IT's remit
- Users involvement in implementation of IT strategy and
implementation - create user ownership
- IT assessment of PC-based staff at interviews
- IT induction either undertaken as part of corporate induction by trained staff with time to invest so that IT induction is not merely a presentation of IT policies but includes basic training
- IT TNA by qualified staff where users are physically tested (not just Q&A)
- IT training must be planned in accordance with the business objectives
- IT training cannot be outsourced ad hoc to the cheapest vendor - a long-term relationship is essential
- IT training cannot consist of a 'presentation of clicks' alone. It must confront people's fears/apathy etc. and be immediately applicable!
- IT training can be used as one tool to kick-start a 'Learning Culture' (on-line learning etc.)
- In-house promotion of LearnDirect (and ILA replacement if/when available) & Certification of skills (e.g. ECDL) are useful tools but require a particular culture, support system and comfort levels from other HR factors (pay & benefits, low turnover (motivation), sharing knowledge, high loyalty and trust, strong teams and learning culture)
- Resource-sharing between SMEs (including contacts and ideas as well as more physical resources)
Thanking you in advance,
Jane Foy
IT Trainer
Please add your comments and suggestions on better integration of IT and HR.
