I am looking into the costs of delivering training off-site against delivering at our offices. We find that when we deliver training within the office environment that delegates can be more focussed on what is left on their desk rather than the course itself. In breaks and lunches they will go back to catch up on some work. Has anyone done any studies on this subject or perhaps tell me how it works within your organisation.
Susan Blakey
2 Responses
Whether training in the office works depends on the nature of th
We were surprised to find in ICI that a counselling skills event that had been run residentially worked as well on site. There was much work done to establish an enjoyable learning climate and all the participants were volunteers. The course was clearly designed to meet their needs. They did not want to miss anything. No-one went back to their office at lunch time.
In intense one to one development work with senior people, working at my home is better. Clients can be “whole people”, relax more, be open about their feelings and experiment with new behaviour and relish legitimately having time away from interuptions. They also get home earlier than usual. It is a treat. Clients who have worked at their offices and at home always prefer home, even if it involves substantial travelling.
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The enviroment that the training takes place is important amoung
I have not done any formal research into this but in my experince of delivering training I have found that delegates are oftern distracted by their workload on thier desks, and return to their desks as frequently as possible. Oftern they are called out of the training session to go and attend to other matter/crisis.
I think that the best enviroment for training is one where delegates are free from distraction.
Other enviromental factors such as lighting and temperature can also have an influnce.
There have been many reports writen on how an individuals surronding affects their performance. For example certain colours i.e. Green is thought to stimulate creativity where as lilac gretess calm etc..
The enviorment itself may also have a political/motivational aspect.
The enviroment in which the training is deliverd may also influnce how it is percieved. If the trainning is held in the company canteen it may be seen as disorganised and less important than if it is held else where, such as in a 5* facility.
The more equiped the enviroment, the greater the percieved effort. This will make them feel important and appreciate the training more.
However it is not all down to the enviroment, a lot of it depends on the delegates willingness to learn.
This is dependant on the motivation behind them signing up for the training i.e. Is it something that they have been told that they had to do, or something that they wanted to do.
Their expectations of what they want to get from the course will also play a major role on their levels of focus, also their level of prior knowledge for this subject.
It is important to asses the needs of the delegates and there level of expectation. You may also want to look into motivational theroys.
Weigh up the costs against the benefits of making sure that your workforce has the best training possible to meet their particular need.
A lot of companies will base their decisions purely on cost without looking at what would be more benefical for the company in the long term. It is important to look at all factors.
Remember that there is no right or wrong anwer to this debate it will oftern depend on the training situation, and the delegates involved.