Currently considering the benefits/disadvantages of outsourcing some of our training programmes (admin and delivery)to an external body. Envisage that this would be run for standard courses by external consultants at their own venue and delegates from other companies would also be able to attend. Would like to know if anybody else has had experience of this?
Jill Aslett
5 Responses
Outsourcing Training
Jill
In my experience, the downside of this was that where it was an Open Programme (ie not specifically aimed at your people – a general prgramme open to other organisations) was that the “message” was somewhat diluted as it had to be very general to meet the needs of all participants, rather than just focussing on your needs.
Cost might also be a factor for preferring this route, given that some Open Programmes can be quite cheap, but that’s then a question of whether it is worth spending a bit more to get exactly what you want, therefore making any expenditure worthwhile, or spending less and not really getting exactly what you wanted. I suppose the old adage of “you get what you pay for” rings true, but also understand that with a limited training budget,you sometimes have to bite the bullet ?
I have experience of both outsourcing and buying in specific training for staff as Training Manager for a large organisation, so if you want to talk through this, I’d be happy to do so. You can contact me on 01942 743882.
Regards
Andrea
Achievement By Design
01942 743882
Outsourcing Training
Hi Jill,
I agree with Andrea about diluting the message but it depends a lot on what kind of training you are looking to outsource as to how much dilution will occur and how important non-dilution may be to you. Selection of your outsourcing partner is also something not to be taken lightly & just because a company has the courses does not mean they are the right choice for outsourcing.
Regards,
Gary
Buying a suit?
Hi Jill,
Easy answer? Compare this to needing a new suit! Do you spend hours, days, or even weeks looking at all the catalogues, magazines and brochures, or – depending on budget – go to a reputable tailor?
Quality, cost and time are the three main ingredients one should look for in any project.
In my opinion, outsourcing can be the answer for a ‘one off’, but you do not have any real control. If the training that you require is only relevant to your organisation, either keeping it in-house, or hiring a Consultant may be the answer. Either way, you control the quality, content and flexibility.
Fell free to drop me a mail for further discussion
Good luck
Clive
cliveodonnell@hotmail.com
Outsourcing can work
I have the experience of both organising the outsourcing of training administration and co-ordination and actually doing it – we took over the business that runs it!
If you would like an honest answer and some tips, please call me. 01206 366100.
Tony Willson
A survey about outsourcing
I was involved in a survey that is covered in the TrainingZone Article: “Move Towards Outsourcing Training Admin”
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=131279
The comments I saw back from conducting this survey suggest that training professionals in larger companies are often happy to outsource administrative functions – but more to free up time and improve effectiveness than to reduce headcount or change the training content.