November’s theme on TrainingZONE: Training software
As a training professional in the year 2003, it’s almost impossible not to be affected by the impact of training software in one form or another. With such a broad focus, we’ll be looking at a range of subjects under this topic: Training management software: From Excel spreadsheets to Learning Management Systems, what works for […]
October’s theme on TrainingZONE: Training in the public sector
Public funding supports a large part of the UK workforce in a diverse range of areas. During October, we’ll be examining: How training is managed across the sector, identifying similarities and differences How training is sourced, from large-scale tenders to smaller-scale projects Whether there are key differences between the way training is managed and delivered, […]
Leadership and management – a crucial distinction
Alistair Fenton, Management and Personal Development Consultant with business growth company Rewards Scotland looks at why striking a balance between these two roles can be crucial for SME’s. With recent statistics revealing that there have already been over 180 bankruptcies this year, Scotland’s fragile economic track record continues. The performance of Corporate Scotland plc seems […]
Creating a business-based learner focused approach to training
Susan Schwartz, principal consultant of The River Birch Group looks at some of the key considerations for designing training programmes which are focused on the learner, but are also aligned to business needs. Part I: Implementing a Business-Based Learning ApproachHistorically, many workplace learning programmes were created using one of two design approaches: a drawn-out pedagogical […]
Helping managers who struggle with under-performing staff
Bill Esterson, director of training providers Leaps & Bounds, looks at how focusing on managers’ skills and approaches can have a much wider impact on the effectiveness of staff as a whole. Many of our clients tell us their managers struggle because of the under-performance of their staff. When we ask them to describe what […]
How to get the payback from investment in work-life balance
In this article, Professor David Clutterbuck of Clutterbuck Associates describes the outcomes of research into the management of work-life balance, and establishes a broad quality model for this activity. Vast amounts of time and effort have been injected by companies and Government in recent years in policies and initiatives to improve work-life balance. The business […]
Distance, time zones and culture – creating a 24 hour work day
Instead of whining for more hours in the day, let’s use the ones we’ve got as efficiently as possible, says Susan Schwartz. Living and working within our tumultuous times is difficult. Everybody wants work done yesterday — colleagues and clients expect you to read their minds – and yet, we all complain that there are […]
The world’s biggest training programme? A Training Manager’s experience
Jyoti Chawla, Training Manager at the InterContinental hotel, London, gives her personal account of what happened when she took part in a massive change programme as part of a major exercise to reshape the InterContinental brand.The programme trained more than 40,000 staff in 140 hotels across 65 countries, bringing together training, marketing, regional operations, individual […]
Squaring the circle – matching executive needs with corporate goals through e-learning
Executive education is good for the employee and good for the employer. The use of e-learning as a delivery mechanism makes it even better for both parties, argues Michael Smith, Director of Business Development at UK eUniversities Worldwide (UKeU). Traditionally, most training programmes in large organisations focused on immediate job-related skills such as word-processing. In […]
Unions to play a role in skills strategy
Education and Skills Secretary Charles Clarke has praised the work of union learning representatives in helping to establish and promote workplace learning projects. Speaking at the annual Union Learning Fund Conference in London, Mr Clarke said he saw a strong role for unions within skills strategy over the next few years, with them taking a […]
Administration training not regarded as important, finds survey
Recent research from the Council for Administration (CfA) has found that training for those in often business-critical support roles is not regarded as important by two thirds of organisations with administration departments. The National Administration Skills Survey Report, May 2003 found that 97 per cent of employers surveyed agreed that administrative function is critical to […]
Using digital multimedia to induct new employees
Heather Devany, Director, TalkScience Limited, looks at how technology can help create a consistent, cost-effective solution for organisation induction programmes. Digital production methods offer a cost-effective way to capitalise on the opportunity highly motivated, positive new recruits offer your organisation. While most organisations already have induction documents and procedures in place, an increasing number are […]
Mind the gap!
In this contributed feature, Godfrey Owen, Deputy Chief Executive of training providers Brathay, argues that in order to address the wider skills shortage in the UK it is vital that British businesses fully adopt lifelong learning. The recent creation of a government task force to expand the Modern Apprenticeship scheme in the UK is the […]
Qualifications fail to attract UK employees
UK employers are willing to invest, but employees don’t consider gaining qualifications a priority, according to a new study. The survey, undertaken by Taylor Nelson Sofres plc for UKeU, the UK government-backed company set up to provide online degrees from UK universities to students worldwide, examined the views of just over 1000 workers based in […]
ALP conference: Reducing bureaucracy, increasing co-operation, a need for change
The Association of Learning Provider’s first national conference held at the NEC in Birmingham earlier this month played host to a number of speakers from both private and public sectors and government organisations. In his Keynote Address, Education Secretary Charles Clarke noted that “we are not providing yet the kind of education and training skills […]
Featured interview: Einstein Network
With our focus on blended approaches to learning this month, we’re showcasing Einstein Network, who are new to the TrainingZONE Partner Pages, as providers of electronic solutions for professional CPD. Here, MD Michael Brooks explains the philosophy and approach behind the Einstein programmes. TrainingZONE: What’s the philosophy behind Einstein Network?Michael Brooks: We have been producing […]
Top ten tips for being a great boss
What makes a good boss? The judges of the recent Parents At Work/Lloyds TSB Best Boss competition compiled the following tips on managing flexible working from conversations with bosses nominated for Britain’s Best Boss 2003. 1. Put your trust in people: be as open as possible and be prepared to take risks sometimes. 2. Treat […]
What drives the training cycle?
What role does learning play in driving staff motivation and productivity, and do staff actually understand why they are training? Karina Ward, marketing communications manager at NETg looks at some recent research, which suggests that training is being sidelined jeopardising job satisfaction and productivity levels. What drives the training cycle is something that is under […]
The training cycle: Plugging the leaks
In this feature to conclude our month’s focus on the training cycle, Tim Drewitt, a Director at Balance Learning, looks at some of the issues around putting learning into action. So the training needs analysis has taken place, the course has been designed and delivered and it’s time to put the learning into practice. Sounds […]
The training cycle: Monitoring and evaluation
In the final installment of our feature on the training cycle, we look at issues around the monitoring and evaluation of training. Once training has been planned, keeping track of it – and the results it has – can be a real problem. Although Training Managers and training departments can be fully involved in the […]
